e-news member,

Welcome to the March edition of our newsletter. This month through the sadness of the bushfire disaster staff at VWA have been following the heartwarming story of Sam the Koala and CFA volunteer David Tree. David was pictured helping Sam by offering her water. The picture was snapped on by media around the world and has now raised over $300,000 from sales which is to be donated to the bushfire appeal.

1. The tremendous strength of volunteers
2. Rob Jackson training
3. Improving our service to you
4. Lotterywest grant info sessions
5. Everyone has a story
6. National Volunteer Week 2009
7. Volunteering Australia visit to VWA
8. Study into cost of volunteering in WA
9. Federal Government Not for Profit Leadership Group
10. Welcome to new members and thank you...
11. March’s hot resource tip!

The tremendous strength of volunteers

VWA extends heartfelt condolences to the victims of the catastrophic fires and floods that have devastated many communities. We also pay tribute to the herculean efforts of thousands of unsung heroes and heroines from organisations and communities across Australia that swung into immediate action to manage and contribute to the response and recovery operations. Many are volunteers who have responded to the needs of fellow Australians through organisations and individually. The contribution of volunteers has and will continue to be a vital ingredient in reconnecting and building these communities.

Volunteering Australia with the support of the Victorian Government and several corporate sponsors has implemented an emergency volunteer database and has had over 11,000 responses from individuals and groups around the nation, such is the power of volunteering – people want to help in any way they can.

VWA has been designing a Western Australian pre-emergency volunteer bank for non-affiliated volunteers and will implement this program over the next few months.

The theme for National Volunteer Week in May is especially fitting to those involved and to all volunteers - 'Volunteers: Everyday people, extraordinary contribution'.

Rob Jackson training

We are still finalising the details of international trainer Rob Jackson's up and coming training as mentioned in our last newsletter. Booking details and costs will be sent to all members shortly so keep an eye out for that email coming through.

Further information will also be posted on our web site or contact Jennie on 9482 4333 or jennie@volunteeringwa.org.au.

Improving our service to you

Over the coming months we will be updating our website to enhance our service to you. We will be including new features like on line registration forms and credit card payments. Hopefully this will save you time when it comes to booking training, events and renewing your annual membership.

Lotterywest grant info sessions

Lotterywest are running some grant information seminars shortly in metro and regional areas. These seminars give you a chance to learn about the grants and application process with Lotterywest and also ask any questions you have relating to this. Dates and locations can be found here

Everyone has a story

VWA has been speaking to The West Australian newspaper about the enormous contribution made to our community by volunteers. The newspaper has agreed to support the volunteer effort by publishing stories of interest that promote the diverse endeavours of volunteers.

Everyone has an inspiring story or two, so please tell us yours. We will then forward story ideas to The West Australian for selection. Stories can be about volunteers, organisations and their use of volunteers, issues to do with volunteers and volunteering, projects involving volunteers, the list is endless.

What we require is up to 200 words telling your story, background information on the volunteer or group, location and appropriate contact details. Please email to info@volunteeringwa.org.au.

National Volunteer Week 2009

Let us know what you are doing for National Volunteer Week. If your organisation has an event or activity planned for NVW, please let us know so that we can collate and promote - email info@volunteeringwa.org.au with a brief description.

The theme for 2009 is - Volunteers: Everyday people, extraordinary contribution.

The reality of this theme has been demonstrated countless times during the past weeks by the remarkable and heroic efforts of the communities, emergency service personnel and volunteers battling fires and floods.

VWA will be hosting the annual NVW Breakfast on Monday 12 May and has a number of other activities planned throughout the week. All members and friends of volunteering are encouraged to join in and celebrate the extraordinary spirit of volunteering that has come into view across Australia. Our communities are strengthened through volunteering.

Volunteering Australia visit to VWA

The Board and staff of VWA welcomed Janet Stone, President of the Board and Cary Pedicini CEO of VA to Western Australia on Thursday 12 February. Their visit was a part of a week long trip meeting with all state volunteering centres. Janet and Cary provided information for a common understanding of where we as the state and national peak bodies for volunteering have come from and there was discussion on future directions, roles and relationships.

A briefing was provided on the status of the VA strategic plan and this was followed by a synopsis of the proposed Federal Government Not for Profit Leadership Group. Further discussion will be undertaken by the Board of VWA on a variety of matters raised to ensure a strong, united and sustainable volunteering sector.

Janet and Cary also took the opportunity to meet with student representatives from Western Australian universities to provide information on and discuss the notion of Community Corps and the payment of HECS debt through volunteering. Although these proposals are still conceptual a lively discussion was had and Janet and Cary experienced first hand the inspiring work of Western Australia’s tertiary volunteers.

Study into cost of volunteering in WA

The Office of Volunteering has engaged respected academic Professor Duncan Ironmonger to research the actual cost of volunteering in Western Australia. From previous research published in 2008, Professor Ironmonger calculated the national average at $24.09 per hour, so it will be most interesting to hear how this equates to Western Australia.

A report on the research findings will be launched by the Minister for Child Protection; Community Services; Seniors and Volunteering; Women’s Interests the Hon Robyn McSweeny MLC during National Volunteering Week.

Federal Government Not for Profit Leadership Group

Over the past two months a steering committee of not for profit leaders has convened in Canberra in response to a call from the now retired National Compact Expert Panel for better coordination of the relationship between the “third sector” and the Federal Government.

The key driver for this initiative appears to be a desire from Government to have one national leadership group to coordinate with on matters of immediate priority including, the impact of the global financial crisis, carbon pollution reduction, the changing taxation system, workforce support, and leadership development. A second driver was a desire from the sector to have a strong united voice through which it can advocate on common issues.

Whilst there was general consensus that the notion of a national leadership body for the sector has merit, it was agreed that the process needs to be sector rather than Government lead. It was also agreed that the body should not be “representational” but be a “leadership” body that manages policy development and advocates with Government.

The steering committee invited the National Roundtable of Nonprofit Organisations to act as a convener to coordinate a major forum of “third sector” organisations at which the proposal for a national leadership group would be considered. We will keep members updated on the progress of this group...

Welcome to new members and thank you...

• Women & Infants Research Foundation
• Town of Bassendean
• Curtin Volunteers!
• Cystic Fibrosis WA

We look forward to working with you.

We would like to thank Transmission Films and Paramount Pictures for their recent kind donation of 100 movie tickets to the Dean Spanley movie. Feedback from the volunteers who attended was very positive.

March’s hot resource tip!

Google alerts

If you've not come across this useful tool before we recommend you give it a try. It can help you stay up to date with what's happening in areas that interest you. It's also good for keeping an eye on where your organisation is being mentioned in cyberspace. In brief you tell Google what you'd like to be kept up to date on (eg your organisation name), Google then emails you relevant results. Learn more here.