Volunteering Geelong has recently launched it's exciting new program - Bite-Size Volunteering. To find out how you can be involved in this rewarding and innovative new program, read more or contact Volunteering Geelong on 03 52211377.
Want to volunteer but only for a short time? Need flexibility? Have skills you want to contribute? Retired? Tertiary Student?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions – then read on or access projects here.
Volunteering is giving your time and your skills to a community organisation or cause free of charge. Not everyone can commit to regular volunteering – same job at the same time and day each week/fortnight. So you might want to engage in flexible or project based volunteering (we call it Bite-Size Volunteering), where you work on a short term project at times and days that suit you and the organisation.
All forms of volunteering can provide you with the opportunity to:
- Contribute your skills and experience;
- Work with others to deliver the volunteer services in a way that fits your other commitments;
- Work with an agency to support delivery of better services and to make best use of your capacities;
- Develop your own skills and experience;
- Develop a long term relationship with the agency and its people;
- Contribute to your personal health and well being through meaningful work, enhanced self
esteem, new relationships and networks and a sense of satisfaction.
If you have skills and experience that you wish to use in your volunteering but have limited
time and need flexibility, we are keen to talk with you.
Use this form to register your interest, or contact Volunteering Geelong for more information on 5221 1377.
Case StudiesTertiary Students Benefit from Bite-Size Volunteering
Volunteering Geelong, in conjunction with the TAC and Deakin
University, recently ran several pilot projects to assist an entirely volunteer
based community service organisation, ‘Meet & Greet’. Several bite-size projects were devised to
provide Meet & Greet with basic operational policies and procedures using
the skills and knowledge of Deakin University students. The projects covered such aspects as Human
Resources, Communications, Financial Planning and Governance. Students applied for the volunteer roles
which were advertised on the Deakin University Jobshop website. By participating the students gained practical
experience and applied the theoretical knowledge from the subjects they are studying,
under the guidance of mentors from the TAC. The opportunity to gain practical experience will benefit the student’s
portfolio, resume and give them an edge in the competitive job market.
At the completion of the pilot, students commented:
“Volunteering for short term projects is definitely a great
experience and provides great opportunity to put academic learning into
practice.” (Anne)
“The flexibility of the projects is great while you are at university.”
(Liam)
“...it is a great thing to volunteer as it gives you things to say
in an interview and on a resume.” (Jess)
“The Bite-Size volunteering project provided me with not only
experience relevant to my degree but the opportunity to meet with and engage
with community organisations. The
experience has really been so valuable.” (Ashlee)
Bite-Size Volunteering Provides 'Win Win' Opportunities
Bite-Size Volunteering is designed to meet
the needs of those who want to volunteer but don’t have a lot of time due to
work, family and other commitments. It
is flexible, short term and uses your skills and knowledge to assist community
services organisations with limited resources but a huge need for assistance
with specific projects that will strengthen their organisation.
 Meet & Greet Logo
Homero, a Graphic Designer, recently
assisted ‘Meet & Greet’ to develop a logo for their entirely volunteer
based organisation. Homero met the Meet
& Greet coordinator, learnt about the organisation and what they did and
then in his own time, developed a simple but effective logo which represented
the group and the service they provide. Homero reflected, “If people have time available it is very rewarding
helping others and at the same time, one helps oneself. In this particular case,
working on something I also do professionally helps me add this experience to
my portfolio. I’m pretty sure that in other volunteering projects you can also
find this sense of reward and personal fulfilment.”
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Bite-Size Volunteering
