THE DEFINITON OF VOLUNTEERING

& THE NEW NATIONAL

STANDARDS FOR VOLUNTEER INVOLVEMENT

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• Societal, work, leisure changes • Growth in diversity of ways people

choose to volunteer • Quantify & measure • Policy, Resource & Infrastructure

development • Good practice • Recognition • Advocacy

Why review the definition?

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Enhance volunteering & civic participation

‘Formal volunteering is an activity that takes place in non profit organisations or projects and is of benefit to the community and undertaken of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and in designated volunteer positions only.’

11 Principles

Current definition - 1996

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1. Steering Committee

2. Issues Paper – Aust & Global views

3. Consultations – Sector & Stakeholders

4. On-line survey

5. Recommendation to VA (July)

The Review Process

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What will new definition look like?

• A succinct, easy to read definition; and • A set of accompanying notes that provide

clarity on what is considered volunteering and what is outside the definition (but is part of the broader civic participation area)

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• Resonate • Inclusive • Aspirational

• Enabling • Enduring • Robust

National Standards

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Timely! • 1998: National

Standards for Involving Volunteers in Not-Profit Organisations

• 2001: Updated NS (International Year of the Volunteer)

• 2015: National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

Core aims of National Standards

Provide good practice guidance to help organisations with effective planning and implementation for:

• Recruitment

• Engagement

• Management

• Protection and support

• Retention

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Provide benchmarks for organisations to:

• Measure & audit performance

• Monitor continuous improvement for existing and new services

Organisational capacity building

Meaningful and enjoyable experiences for volunteers

Building better communities

Core aims of National Standards

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1. Leadership and management 2. Commitment to volunteer

involvement 3. Volunteer roles 4. Recruitment and selection 5. Support and development 6. Workplace safety and wellbeing 7. Volunteer recognition 8. Quality management and

continuous improvement

Volunteer Involvement Standards

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Standard 3: Volunteer Roles

Volunteers are engaged in meaningful and appropriate roles which contribute to the organisation’s purpose, goals and objectives.

Volunteer roles ensure that the work done by volunteers is defined, and that it meets both the needs of the volunteer and the objectives of the organisation.

Meeting this standard assists the organisation to match volunteers with appropriate work roles, provide relevant and satisfying activities for volunteers and ensure that involvement of volunteers contributes to the organisation. 3.1: Volunteer roles are designed to contribute to the organisation’s purpose, goals and objectives. Evidence: Descriptions of volunteer roles indicate how the role contributes to the organisation’s purpose, goals and objectives

• Implementation Resources

• On-line system to manage compliance and reporting

• Quality Mark?

National Standards – what’s next?

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2016 National Volunteering Conference 6 – 8 April 2016

National Convention Centre Canberra

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www.2016nationalvolunteeringconference.com.au

2015 Ignite Volunteering Conference

Thank you

Volunteering Australia Level 2, 202 City Walk, Canberra ACT www.volunteeringaustralia.org Phone: 02 6251 4060