Leading With Standards

May 2010 workshop

With support from United Way Geelong Region, Volunteering Geelong has developed and implemented the Leading with Standards program which supports a best practice system for involving and managing volunteers. The program has been intentionally created with several components, enabling different levels of participation by community organisations from across our local region.

The 2010 ‘Leading with Standards’ Program has commenced and participants in the 6 month program include Create (Geelong) Inc, Gateways, Pastoral Health Care Network, Wombat's Wish, United Way, Boroondarah VRC, Eastern Volunteers, Royal Geelong Agricultural Show and Geelong Regional Library. Please contact Alison Duff or Gail Rodgers at Volunteering Geelong for more detail on future programs.

Project Objectives

Organisations that participate in the program will receive the following training and support components:

• 2 day workshop for the organisation’s representative or Volunteer Manager/Coordinator facilitated by Teresa Forest, which will provide the detail required to implement the standards.
• Membership of a network of organisations to provide support, share resources, discuss issues/barriers, celebrate success etc.
• Access to a myriad of resources and templates to assist with the implementation of or change to policies, procedures and other documentation requirements.
• At least 6 months support from the Training & Development Manager from Volunteering Geelong to assist with the implementation process, based on the needs of each individual organisation. Support will be one-on-one within organisations on a regular basis.

2 day workshop at Geelong Skilled Stadium

Support will consist of:

• The assistance of project participants to ‘audit’ their current policies and procedures for their volunteer programs against the National Standards
• The assistance of project participants to develop their own project plan that outlines their organisations objectives to be achieved within the project timelines
• A series of workshops that will bring participants together to network, share ideas and concerns, strategies and documentation.
• Numerous visits to participating organisations and provision of phone support throughout the life of the project.
• Provision of practical support to organisations by providing examples of best practice in similar organisations (relevant to size, sector etc)

Sep 17 workshop at Glastonbury

Anne Lowes presenting at November 25 workshop at Bella Chara

Stuart Muller presenting at November 25 workshop at Bella Chara

The recently released report - Evaluation of the Leading with Standards Pilot Project, details progress of 12 organisations involved in the pilot as they work towards implementation of the Standards.  For more information on the project call Alison Duff (Training & Development Manager) at Volunteering Geelong on 5221 1377.

To participate in the Leading with Standards Online Forum and Chat area access this link. You are required to be a participating member of the project team to access this area.

PRAISE (Partnerships Recognising Advocating Including Supporting & Educating) Volunteers Project

The PRAISE Volunteers project was a two year undertaking that has been funded by the Department of Planning and Community Development as part of the Volunteer Support Grants funding. The project is now completed and reports are available below.

• Training Report (PDF - 759KB)
• Supportive Volunteering for people with disabilities final report (PDF - 607KB)
• Supporting CALD volunteers - Summary Report (PDF - 782KB)

The PRAISE Volunteers project aims:

1. Build capacity of Volunteering Geelong to provide effective support services to volunteer-involving organisations in the Geelong region
2. Include the entire community with a specific focus on people from areas identified as “disadvantaged” such as the Northern suburbs and Whittington, and people with disabilities along with people from Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds
3. To create stronger connection and networks within the volunteering communities in the G21 region by improving volunteering opportunities, training for volunteers along with increasing awareness of and access to volunteering

Project Highlights include:

1. Development of ‘Volunteer Ready’ workshops and Effective Volunteering Manual available for delivery in Neighbourhood centres and volunteer-involving organisations
2. Technology solutions to improve effectiveness and efficiency of the operations of Volunteering Geelong include:
3. Research – new target markets – CALD Volunteering and Baby Boomers
4. 2007 Supportive Volunteering Forum - followed up with two 2008 Pilots (Recreational Football Pilot and Vision Australia Pilot) to assist young people with disabilities into volunteering
5. Building relationships/partnerships and creating effective links that have ensured mutually beneficial outcomes

Key Findings by area include:

Training

1. Volunteer managers support training but are often reticent to burden volunteers with extra training requirements. A new ‘place based’ approach is being tried whereby training is tailored to individual organizations needs and delivered in a low key workshop atmosphere
2. More attention should be paid to skills analysis and organizational needs when recruiting volunteers
3. Financial support is required for an ongoing training and development resource

CALD volunteers and improving cultural diverse practices in the workplace

1. Traditional volunteer referral process not always suitable for CALD volunteers – a placement service is required
2. Enquiries from CALD Volunteers increasing in number but many organisations are not prepared nor interested in recruiting and supporting this group
3. The need to equip volunteers with culturally competent work practices in a community that is becoming increasingly diverse and funded training to support this process
4. Potential to hold a Forum to allow interested parties to acknowledge what is being done in this area and to find new ways to support organisations to create diverse more volunteer programs
5. Newly arrived migrants (refugees, skilled immigrants, overseas students) often require support and placement assistance to participate in volunteering
6. Newly arrived migrants are often heavily involved in 'informal' volunteering activities in their own communities

People with disabilities volunteering

1. Traditional volunteer referral process not always suitable for this group
2. Ongoing support required to continue development of supporting volunteering projects utilizing existing structures and support systems.

Pilot projects to create supportive roles for people with disabilities volunteering

In 2007 a Supportive Volunteering Forum was held to draw attention to the need to create a supportive environment for volunteers with disabilities. A working party was formed and two pilots have been developed. The working party will continue to meet to discuss current and potential projects utilizing existing structures and support systems. For further information on the forum a report is available.

LeisureNetworks Recreational Football Pilot

Recreational football has been designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the modified football code. As a result of the Supportive Volunteering working party a pilot project has been developed to give volunteers with disabilities a chance to be involved and provide assistance with setting up and officiating games. Volunteers were recruited through Nelson Park and Encompass. Deakin University Occupational Therapy students will assist with mentoring volunteers and evaluation of project. The games will be run over a series of 8 weeks and will be held in Corio, Grovedale and Colac.

Vision Australia Geelong Supportive Volunteering Pilot

Vision Australia Geelong has provided a unique opportunity to incorporate volunteer roles for Nelson Park VCAL student in their programs.

The pilot allows Nelson Park VCAL students the opportunity to complete a curriculum volunteering requirement and do so in a supportive environment.

The pilot program commenced in mid April 2008 and will run throughout second term on Tuesday mornings. Vision Australia Geelong site has organised a wide variety of roles for the student volunteers ranging from providing support in the kitchen, helping to detail work vehicles, preparing material for radio broadcasts and supporting activities for people with vision impairment. Existing volunteers will provide mentor support for the student volunteers when required.

Resources

• PRAISE Project Brochure - PDF 1078KB
• Supportive Volunteering Forum Report - PDF 500KB