2014, Issue 3

30 November

Volunteer tribune

Christmas Volunteers Positions 1

FNQ Volunteers Xmas Closure 1

IAVE Plenary 2

International Volunteer Day

Events: VCNM & AGM 2

The Value of Networking 3

FNQVI Agency Visits 3

Staff Movements 4

Inside this issue:

FNQ

Volunteers

Christmas

Closure

FNQ Volunteers Inc. last day of

business in 2014 is Friday 19th December.

The agency will be

closed from Monday 22nd

December 2014 to Friday 9th January

2015.

The first day of business in 2015 is

Monday 12th January.

We wish everyone a safe and festive

season and A Happy New Year.

Christmas Volunteers Positions

Christmas Gift Wrapping

On behalf of the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation volunteers are

sought to help raise funds for the Cairns

Hospital.

Cairns Central Shopping Centre – starting 1

st December

The Good Guys – starting 10th

December Myers – starting around the 11

th

December

480 shifts available 7 days a week through till 9.00p

Many positions are still to be filled.

Christmas Gift Wrapping

On behalf of the Leukaemia

Foundation, volunteers are sought

at Stockland Earlville Shopping and

Smithfield Shopping Centres

For the period 1st December to 24th

December 2014.

Please contact FNQ Volunteers Inc. on 07 4041 7400 or email

reception@fnqvolunteers.org

for further details.

Christmas Luncheon

Volunteers are required to assist with the Christmas Luncheon

Date: Christmas Day 25th December 2014 Venue: Salvation Army Centennial Lodge, Sheridan Street, Cairns.

Please contact FNQ Volunteers on 4041 7400

or email info@fnqvolunteers.org or contact Centennial Lodge directly

on 4031 4432

Referrals close by Friday 12th December 2014

FNQ Volunteers Service Coordinator Oni Vuniyaro recently attended the IAVE plenary on the Gold Coast along with other luminaries Sir Peter Cosgrove, the Hon. Michael Kirby, Sen. Mitch Field, Volunteers Australia CEO Brent Williamson, outgoing IAVE President Dr Lee Kang Hyuan, (President of South Korea), and Forum Facilitator Jenny Brock from SBS Insight. How will the conference affect FNQ Volunteers and its member organisations? Targeted for action was to revise the definition of volunteering. CEO Brent Williamson stated ‘the definition has not really kept pace with emerging trends of how over 6.1 million Australians are volunteering their time today with over 600,000 Not for Profit organisations.’ Volunteering now encompasses varying opportunities like Corporate Volunteering, Micro Episodic Volunteering (short-term - offering people the chance to feel good by using their iPhones to do something good while they are using down time), Virtual Volunteering, Informal Volunteering and Crisis Volunteering. The definition of volunteering is critical as it underpins the understanding by volunteers of what is expected. “It will also influence how companies manage employee volunteering programs, how organisations manage insurance needs for volunteers, how we measure volunteering and how we implement ‘Best Practice’ standards across the sector.” Also targeted will be the “National Standards for Volunteering” refinement. The review recommends among its 15 recommendations that Volunteering Australia develops focused promotional materials with greater emphasis on other sectors outside the Community/Welfare sector that involve large numbers of volunteers e. g. Sports / Recreation, Emergency Services, as well as adopting a broader definition to encompass the needs of both resource-poor and well- resourced organizations. These revised definition are expected to be ready by mid 2015. “It also recommends developing supporting tools that articulate how the National Standards support organisations in meeting a changing environment. In the development of any accreditation model, consideration will be given to organisations that have previously adopted the National Standards so that they can be accredited in accordance with ‘Best Practice principles of volunteer management.’ “ A number of Corporations did presentations on their volunteering experiences nationally and internationally. The Corporate sector in Australia has become increasingly conscious of its responsibility in supporting, nurturing and developing the community in which it operates. Support for relevant community and industry partnerships can greatly assist any organisation or charity in developing key relationships and fundraising potential.

23RD INTERNATIONAL

ASSOCIATION FOR

VOLUNTEER EFFORT

( IAVE ) PLENARY

Dr Lee of South Korea

5 T H D E C E M B E R 20 1 4

F N Q V O L U N T E E R S I N C .

H O L D S T W O E V E N T S O N . . .

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS NETWORK MEETING (VCNM)

Time: 1:00 pm—3:00 pm Venue: Meeting Room 1, Cairns City Library,

151 Abbott Street, Cairns.

At the previous meeting of the VCNM representatives from nine broad organisations volunteered their time to attend the 24th September meeting.

Peter Lenoy outlined some of the programs Indigenous Community Volunteers (I.C.V.) provides, the processes of their volunteer recruitment, some important criteria of their program and how to source and access their training resources. His presentation generated robust discussions, especially on programs relevant to upskilling of our indigenous community members.

Ms. Leigh Longhurst from the Department of Child Safety gave a brief report on their current pool of youth from the age of 15-18 years old who need mentoring assistance, capacity and skill building etc. Members present exchanged ideas and options with the program.

Sandra Rostirolia, from the Dept. of Justice/AG, briefly outlined her planned program for victim assistance in Mareeba and Atherton and how she could be assisted accordingly. Oni and Sandra had discussions after the meeting as to how FNQVI could assist in providing skilled and competent Volunteers for the rehab program.

Sinead Murphy, from STEPS, outlined briefly Programs and activities carried out at STEPS.

All representatives stated their anticipation of the outcome of

the reviews and were keen to explore the emerging dynamics of Corporate Volunteering and other emerging trends and

forms of volunteering.

FNQ VOLUNTEERS INC.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Time: 3:00 am to 4:00pm

Venue: Meeting Room 1, Cairns City Library, 151 Abbott Street, Cairns.

At the meeting, the board will be step down and board members will be up for re-election by member organisations.

Any volunteers wishing to attend, please RSVP to FNQ Volunteers office on 4041 7400 or email info@fnqvolunteers.org by Thursday 4th December 2014.

P A G E 2 V O L U N T E E R T R I B U N E

Volunteer positions are not only

available on FNQVI website,

but also on GoVolunteers

FNQ VOLUNTEERS AGENCY VISITS

Recently, Oni and Loani from FNQ Volunteers conducted an agency visit to St Vincent De Paul at the new Spoto Street warehouse. Areas shown included the rag cutting area, the furniture area and the retail shop which is only open when staff by volunteers. An update was discussed on the various positions that St Vincent de Paul have with FNQ Volunteers. The purpose of agency visits is to build rapport with the visited organisation, update information and provides FNQ Volunteer staff with first hand knowledge of how the organisations work. Agency visits also allow the organisation a review of volunteer jobs listed with FNQVI. This then provides FNQ referral officer volunteers with better and more accurate information in the volunteer interviews. The visits build community spirit by working with the organisations to achieve the best outcomes for all parties.

Agencies can look forward to further liaison with Services Coordinator Oni to further develop the network. Agencies can also contact FNQVI to request a site visit should they require.

P A G E 3 V O L U N T E E R T R I B U N E

THE VALUE OF NETWORKING

Just recently I was asked to participate on a

panel and talk to undergraduate HR/

Business students at James Cook University.

The subject was “networking”. As a

seasoned Human Resources person having

worked in the field for over 20 years, I was

more than happy to participate. Here’s a

snapshot of what I spoke about …….

I believe networking is one of the most

fundamental business (and social) tactics we must all participate in,

whether it be formally or informally. I put a great deal of effort into

building and maintaining relationships with others in a business

environment and on a social level. We must never underestimate the

value of tapping into resources, knowledge and the experience of

others. From my personal networks I have managed to establish

myself with some key people that have turned out to be significant

business partners. That’s in addition to enhancing my consulting

business and becoming well respected colleagues.

And, how could I resist and not talk about a role I feel very passionate

about? That is, my volunteer role with FNQ Volunteers. I started with

the organisation just after cyclone Yasi, having recently left a stressful

HR Manager position, I was enjoying a break over the summer. The

wonderful stories being told on TV and radio about the massive clean-

up efforts and those volunteering their time to help others in need

inspired me to make contact with the ABC. There had to be

something I could do to help? My initial thought was …. I’m very good

at bossing others around. Surely, there would be some bossing

around I could do in Innisfail? I was referred to FNQ Volunteers, and

as soon as they knew my skills managing people, interviewing and

recruiting, I was put to work to recruit volunteers to form working

parities for the cyclone clean-up activities in Innisfail, Tully and Mission

Beach. Most of the work at that stage was completed over the phone,

screening a large volume of people who wanted to give their time and

help out. It was an emotional and heart felt time for many people

living in Far North Queensland, which created a large volunteer pool. I

loved the work so much, I was volunteering about 3 days a week for

quite a few months. I’m still with FNQ Volunteers and volunteer my

time every Monday morning working as a Referral Officer. My role

includes interviewing and referring potential volunteers into a variety

of roles within the not for profit sector in and around Cairns. Indeed,

my contribution and network has become significant within the FNQ

Volunteers business to a point that I was asked to become a Member

of the Board in late 2013. A role I was honoured to accept and take

seriously. I never imagined, my skills would be valued to an

organisation such as FNQ Volunteers and that I would remain with

the organisation for the years I have. My experiences volunteering

with this organisation have been significant and of great value to me

personally. I cherish the people I have met and again, formed a

wonderful new and different network of people. That’s not to

mention the wonderful buzz I get from helping others enter into a

volunteer role they feel passionate about or helping them take a step

into paid employment. It continues to be a learning and growing

experience for me, and of course, I meet new people all the time and

continually expand my own network.

The message ….. never underestimate what people know, who they

might talk to and where that could take you, you just never know?

Joanna Cray

2015 National Volunteers Week

May 11-17

FNQ VOLUNTEERS LOCATION

P A G E 4

Suit 13 Virginia House 68 Abbott Street Cairns Qld 4870

FNQ Volunteers Inc. wishes to express thanks to the Australian Government’s Department of Social Services through the Volunteer Management Program.

We’re on Facebook: FNQ Volunteers

Phone: (07) 4041 7400 Fax:: (07) 4041 7500 E-mail: info@fnqvolunteers.org Website: fnqvolunteers.org.au

FNQ Volunteers Mission Statement:

To develop and strengthen volunteering in

Far North Queensland for the mutual benefit

of the individual and the community

L-R: Judy, Louise, Evelyn and Oni.

Newly joined staff volunteer Evelyn celebrated her birthday

recently - the same day as another new volunteer Louise joined

us. Sadly, Judy, our Membership Officer will be leaving us at the

end of the year to move onto other volunteer opportunities.

Evelyn is being trained by Judy as her replacement Membership

Officer.

V O L U N T E E R T R I B U N E

Want your event listed in our newsletter? Email us... info@fnqvolunteers.org...Attn: Newsletter

NEW STAFF VOLUNTEER

B I R T H D A Y C E L E B R A T I O N & A D E P A R T U R E

Newly joined staff volunteer Sebastian who speeds through

the data-entry with fantastic typing skills will celebrate his

birthday shortly after distribution of this newsletter. We wish

Sebastian the very best for his forthcoming celebrations.

L-R: Loani, Sebastian, and Carol.

Each year, FNQ Volunteers Board says thank-you to the many

volunteers who staff the agency throughout the year.

This year volunteers are

dinning at Dundee’s On The

Waterfront to celebrate their

efforts and the Festive Season.

The volunteers thank the

FNQVI Board for this event.

FNQ Volunteers Thank-you and Christmas Lunch