Ignite, Invigorate, and Inspire Volunteering
7 June 2018 at 7:34 am
Volunteers and the organisations that support them are the lifeblood of the Australian community, writes Volunteering Australia ahead of the 2018 National Volunteering Conference.
There are nearly 6 million Australians actively engaged in formal volunteering, delivering essential services and programs to those in need. Volunteers also work to deliver government services, protect the environment, and advocate for social change.
This June, Volunteering Australia will host the 2018 National Volunteering Conference, Australia’s premier volunteering event. NVC2018 aims to “ignite, invigorate, and inspire” delegates to advance volunteering by addressing challenges, harnessing opportunities, and informing the national agenda.
Volunteering Australia CEO Adrienne Picone said: “The National Volunteering Conference is held biennially to explore the experiences and perspectives of our diverse sector, and ensure volunteering continues to grow and thrive.
“I encourage all those who work with volunteers, including managers, CEOs, board members, researchers and policy professionals, to join us at the conference in June.”
The conference will feature an action-packed, three-day program that will demonstrate how the volunteering ecosystem permeates every aspect of our community. Sessions such as Volunteer Rights, Change Management, and The Future of Volunteering aim to demonstrate the importance of ensuring that volunteering is safe, supported, and sustainable. The conference will also feature a dedicated Emergency Management Stream focused on the critical role that volunteers play in emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
The conference, held in conjunction with Volunteering Australia’s territory peak partner Volunteering and Contact ACT, will also host expert panels looking at some pressing issues facing the sector today.
Volunteering and Contact ACT CEO Vicky Darling said: “We look forward to bringing delegates panels that focus on issues that have been in the spotlight. We will hear from leaders in the sector such as, David Crosbie, Sarah Davies, and Alexandra Gartmann on the role of charities in advocacy, resourcing the sector, and volunteering in the gig economy.”
The conference will also have a focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with volunteering recognised as having a powerful cross-cutting role for implementation of the global goals. Keynote speaker Chris Jarvis, co-founder and director of global employee volunteering firm Realized Worth, will deliver an address on how the UN SDGs have been leveraged as a key tool for nation building.
The final day will feature three exclusive masterclasses, custom designed to suit the needs of the sector. Delegates will learn how to create a thriving employee volunteering program, understand how to measure social impact, or master media and public relations.
The final session of the day will host a celebrity panel with guests Adam Goodes, Paula Duncan, Judy Nunn, Bruce Venables, and Jean Kittson, volunteering their time to delight delegates with anecdotes about their experiences with volunteering. Conference MC Catherine McGrath will put the celebrity panel under the spotlight, asking them what not for profits need to do to get them on board as volunteers.
“This conference has something for everyone and is a unique professional development opportunity for staff from volunteer involving organisations, the corporate sector, researchers, and government,” Picone said.
“We are also pleased to be presenting, for the first time, a dedicated stream for volunteering support services.”
The conference offers great value for money, with the $995 ticket price including the exciting three-day program, welcome reception, and gala dinner. There are discounts for members of volunteering peak bodies, group registrations, and day registrations will be available for the first time. Delegates can also choose from four exciting streams, while breaks throughout the day will provide a relaxed environment for delegates to network and meet new people.
The conference has been made possible through the generous support of the Australian government.
Visit the conference website to see our full program and register here.
