Volunteer Awareness Week 2009 14 - 20 June

Young volunteer in Tauranga honoured for school and community contributions

2009-06-15T19:18:00.000-07:00

Luke Wilson from Tauranga Boys College has been recognised for his volunteering spirit, being named the winner of the TrustPower Tauranga Youth Community Spirit Award.

Luke is a natural leader especially in Arts and Culture. He leads many groups within the school both with senior and junior students and he gives 100% to everything he does.

In the community, Luke is involved with the Tauranga Moana Amnesty International Group and helped set up an Amnesty group at Tauranga Boys College.

Luke loves giving back to his school and community, and has a personal desire to nourish the growing creative and artistic culture of both Tauranga Boys College and the Tauranga region. This passion and drive that Luke has - made him stand out as the winner of the TrustPower Tauranga Youth Community Spirit Award.

BP Vouchers for Volunteers

2009-06-14T19:05:00.000-07:00

BP New Zealand has launched the ‘BP Vouchers for Volunteers’ programme for 2009, inviting applications from volunteer organisations for thousands of BP fuel vouchers/gift cards.

Managing Director Peter Griffiths said “Every day thousands of volunteers give up their spare time to help others who are less fortunate. These volunteers are an essential part of New Zealand society. We have been overwhelmed with the number of applications received each year since we started this programme and expect this year to be no different.”

“In the last three years we have been delighted to help more than 1,000 organisations ranging from” he said.

“BP New Zealand recognises that fuel prices and the current economic environment have had a huge impact on volunteers who use vehicles to do their work. Through donating thousands of fuel vouchers to volunteer organizations that use vehicles, we can do our bit to help out.” he said.

Registered charities or volunteer organisations that rely on voluntary assistance and use vehicles are eligible to apply. For an application form and full eligibility criteria please visit http://www.bp.co.nz/. Applications close on the 5th of July.

Successful applicants will be advised by email and on our website (http://www.bp.co.nz/) during the week commencing July 27th.

Mr Griffiths said “we are very pleased to again be able to say thank you to the many volunteers around the country who work long hours to help others in the community.”

Nestlé Supports Community Volunteers

2009-06-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

Nestlé is running a competion through their web site called “Reward a Community Volunteer” . This aims to recognise the huge contribution that volunteers make in the New Zealand community. It asks people to nominate a person they know who is undertaking great work in the community that is unpaid who they believe deserves a hamper of Nestlé product valued at $150; there are 10 hampers to be won. In addition, all people nominted will receive a letter from Nestlé acknowledging their contribution to the community and a voucher for a free box of Nestlé Scorched Almonds. This is the 4th year the promotion has run and around 400 people are nominated each year, meaning it is a very hard task to select the hamper winners.

This year Nestlé has also partnered with Newstalk ZB to provide a separate promotion on radio. This is a national campaign throughout New Zealand and should reach around 400,000 people. There will be 2 Nestlé hampers given away each week day during Volunteer Awareness Week between 15 - 19th June. Radio advertising started 10th of June, helping to draw attention to the week.

Nestlé supports volunteering as we recoginse the vital role volunteers make to the well being of our communities. As a company, we give each of our staff the opportunity of taking one paid days leave each year to undertake a voluntary work in the community.

We endorse and appreciate the role of Volunteering New Zealand in supporting and encouraging volunteering.

For further information on nominaton process please visit Nestle website.

The deadline for nominations is 30 June.

2009-06-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

Great Idea Volunteer!!

IHC Volunteer Programme

To thank all our volunteers, coordinators throughout the country are hosting movie afternoons or evenings.

The IHC Volunteer Programme promotes one to one friendship in the community. This is what makes being a volunteer for IHC so unique.

The IHC Volunteer Programme is not asking you to find another hour in your day; we would simply like you to include another person with similar interests in your life.

The IHC Programme will challenge your ideas and perceptions of what volunteering is about.

This is volunteering on your terms.

Anyone interested in learning more can call
O800 IHC IHC (0800 442 442)
Have Fun, Feel Good, Make a Difference

Youth Focus in Otago

2009-06-09T22:15:00.001-07:00

Volunteering Otago have organised several events, several with a youth volunteering focus. They include

a BBQ, stall and flag art display in the Octagon on 18 June
A stall and Wii games in the Wall Street mall on 18 & 19 June
A fabulous "Water Race" in the Octagon on Friday 19 June - Dunedinites are invited to come and rally behind students from Queens and Kings High School who are going to a be running around the Octagon carrying water buckets to raise money and awareness for Turn on the Tap and organisation that helps build wells and provide safe drinking water for people in third world countries-
The kick off of Volunteering Otago's Dob in a Volunteer competition. They are asking for nomination of people who make an awesome contribution to the local community!

Volunteers are Stars in the Far North

2009-06-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

A special “Volunteers are Stars” promotion will be linked to the Matariki celebrations in the Far North. They are having a month long festival during June called Matariki Muriwhenua. As part of this celebration they are profiling the wonderful work done by volunteers, essential in isolated, rural communities. The campaign will leverage off Matariki and is named 'Volunteers are Stars'. Gold stars are available for purchase through a small donation at any of the six local banks.

VAW in Gisborne

2009-06-09T14:20:00.000-07:00

Gisborne Volunteer Centre is celebrating Volunteer Awareness Week with a morning tea for our volunteers. Deputy Mayor, Nona Aston, will be joining with Board members and staff to thank the volunteers who consisitently help out the Centre.

Throughout the week, there will be displays in shop windows highlighting the various volunteer groups working in our community. A newspaper feature will further promote the week.

There is also a 'Come as a volunteer' community day, people in the workforce are encouraged to dress as they would for their volunteers roles for the day; for example they can wear a badge or cap that advertises volunteer organisations, if they don't have a uniform. Highschool students will be distributing leaflets about volunteering in the CBD.

On Thursday and Friday, Jenny Magee from Mosiac Training Ltd, Waikato is presenting training workshops focusing on volunteer management.

These are:

Planning for Volunteer Involvement
Writing Volunteer Role Job Descriptions
Risk Management for Volunteers
Retention of Volunteers
Supervision and Support

On Friday morning, Jenny will be giving a breakfast talk on "Volunteering for all ages".

For details contact Gisborne Volunteer Centre, phone 8684522 or email gisvolunteercentre@xtra.co.nz

Newspaper feature about young volunteers

2009-06-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Taranaki Midweek community newspaper will publish a major story on 3 or 4 youth volunteers during Volunteer Awareness Week. The paper will also run other articles about the Macca's and Lamingtons event .

Macca's and Lamingtons in New Plymouth

2009-06-08T18:54:00.000-07:00

The New Plymouth Volunteer Centre will be holding a “Macca’s and Lamingtons” Evening as its main event during the Week.

This will be an intergenerational event where young volunteers are invited to mix and mingle with the older generations. We will have young and older volunteers talk about what volunteering means to their generation, we will have entertainment by both young and old, we will mix and mingle and then have our Macca’s and Lamingtons supper.

The Centre will be working with the District Council’s Youth Council and local schools as well as all our usual community organisations.

Volunteer Awareness Week at MOTAT

2009-06-08T18:01:00.000-07:00

MOTAT is celebrating the passion and hard work of its dedicated volunteers with a week of commemoration.

During Volunteer Awareness Week visitors can take a glimpse behind the scenes and enjoy the history of MOTAT told through some of the museum’s longest standing volunteers.

Visitors will love a chat and a laugh with the aviation volunteers on Wednesday between 10am-11.30am, where guests can hear about the extraordinary history of the only Solent Mark IV Flying Boat and one of only a handful of WW2 Avro Lancaster Bombers. Visitors can also take a tour around the aviation workshop and watch volunteers restoring various historic aircraft.

Visit MOTAT on a Wednesday or Sunday between 10.30am – 2.30pm and you’ll be treated to a talk by MOTAT’s passionate road transport volunteers, or come in on Tuesday and watch MOTAT’s tram volunteers in action restoring New Zealand’s much loved trams, including a double-decker tram.

Visitors can also enjoy MOTAT’s fascinating volunteer photographic display, which proudly displays images of MOTAT’s volunteers throughout the years.

Dates
Sunday 14th June – Sunday 21st June 2009

Location
MOTAT Great North Road and Meola Road, Western Springs, Auckland. Parking is available at both MOTAT sites.

Costs
You can enjoy Volunteer Awareness Week as part of your entry fee to MOTAT. You can also enjoy the rest of the museum, free tram rides and entry to the Tactile Dome and Voyager1 for one great price.

Entry Fees:

§ Family (2 adults and up to 4 children) $30
§ Adults $14
§ Children (under 16) $7
§ Senior Citizens / Students $7
§ Children under 5 years are free
§ MOTAT Mates (annual pass) - $65 for a family (entitles you to unlimited visits to MOTAT)

Public Information Number
Phone: 0800 MOTAT NZ (0800 668 286) or visit www.motat.org.nz for further information and activity times.

New Zealand Red Cross supports VAW

2009-06-08T15:47:00.000-07:00

Volunteer Awareness Week 2009 is a week away and is an opportunity to thank and give back to the 25,000 plus New Zealand Red Cross volunteers who contribute to and support New Zealand Red Cross' humanitarian work at home and overseas.

New Zealand Red Cross volunteers generously give their time in numerous and varied ways, working in their communities throughout New Zealand. Across many areas the work of New Zealand Red Cross would not be possible without the support of volunteers. Therefore as an organisation based on voluntary service, it is important New Zealand Red Cross make considerable efforts to celebrate Volunteer Week.

To help say thank you to New Zealand Red Cross volunteers New Zealand Red Cross would like to see National office staff support the campaign to help give New Zealand Red Cross volunteers a day off. On one day, still to be finalised, during Volunteer Week New Zealand Red Cross staff will take over the usual roles our dedicated volunteers would normally undertake - whether it be working in a Red Cross Shop, helping to serve at Breakfast in Schools or taking part in Meals on Wheels deliveries.

While it will obviously not be possible to give all New Zealand Red Cross volunteers a day off, New Zealand Red Cross think it will be a great opportunity to show our committed volunteers how much we value them while also giving New Zealand Red Cross staff an insight into the work done in the community.

In addition to the above mentioned initiative New Zealand Red Cross believe traditional morning teas at appropriate events throughout the week should be held as a way of saying thank you to all volunteers.

For more information visit www.redcross.org.nz or contact Laura Ackland at laura.ackland@redcross.org.nz.

Presbyterian Support Befriender's

2009-06-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

We here at Presbyterian Support have had some really nice support from local companies to make a raffle to fundraise for a luncheon at Valentines for our volunteers during Volunteer Awareness Week.

We want to show our volunteer's how appreciated and recognised they are in the community. To celebrate the work they do for the community, from the community.

A huge thankyou to all those companies who have supported our volunteers.

If interested in finding out more information about what we do, who we are, please email tracy.kenyon@psn.org.nz or visit our websites http://www.psn.org.nz/ and http://www.enliven.org.nz/

Volunteering Waikato - Volunteer Excellence Awards

2009-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

In the Waikato, our Volunteer Excellence Awards are the highlight of Volunteer Awareness Week. This year we have both individual nominees, and also team nominees.

Volunteer Excellence Awards are a great way for the community to come together to celebrate and acknowledge volunteers and volunteering in our community. Our nominees this year are once again of a very high calibre...

Our awards are being held on Wednesday, June 17, and the results will be on our website the following day - www.volunteeringwaikato.org.nz

For more information visit our website or phone 07 839 3191

Young volunteer in Western Bay of Plenty receives Award

2009-06-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Mia Scherrer from Katikati College has been recognised for her volunteering spirit, being named the winner of the TrustPower Western Bay of Plenty Youth Community Spirit Award.

Mia has the personality and passion about others and the community that will continue throughout her life. Last year, Mia shaved her hair off to fundraise money for CanTeen and managed to raise $1,100. At school she is an inspiration to junior students in the fields of drama and music. She has previously been a member of the choir and chamber music quartet, as well as the Waikato University Chamber Music Contest. She is a member of the 40 hour Famine Committee and the Health Committee. Mia is a natural leader; she was involved in a leadership course at her school last year and is attending a World Vision Leadership Camp in Auckland later this year.

Mia is a very giving student - and it is for these reasons she received this Award.

NZ TV

2009-06-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

Martin J Cowling from People First -Total Solutions ws interviewed on "Breakfast" on TVNZ this morning, Monday 8th. He talked about trends in volunteering. Here is a link to the interview http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/breakfast-monday-8-june-2771676/video?vid=2771693

Three young volunteers receive Spirit Awards

2009-06-07T00:53:00.000-07:00

As well as being a major theme of volunteer Awareness Week, Youth Volunteering is the focus of a new initiative as part of the TrustPower Community Awards programme.

The TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award is being run in conjunction with the TrustPower Community Awards, which are run in 22 regions around the country. While the Community Awards recognise and reward the work of voluntary groups and organisations, the new Youth Community Spirit Award recognises secondary school students’ service to their school and the community.

TrustPower initiated the new Spirit Award to acknowledge the enormous role young people have in developing a spirit of compassion and selflessness in the community and to promote the unique ways young people enrich their communities through volunteering

So far three young volunteer stars have been named as Spirit Award winners!

Sam Lewthwaite from Mount Hutt College won the TrustPower Ashburton Youth Community Spirit Award. Sam is on the Ashburton Youth Council, as well as a prefect at Mount Hutt College. He took part in a Mission trip to Fiji, is involved in the 40-Hour-Famine, is a Buddy and also works part-time.

The TrustPower Tararua Youth Community Spirit Award was won by Tristan Menzies from Dannevirke High School. Tristan is involved in a lot of sport teams, cultural activities and groups in the school who help other students. He is also heavily involved in his community by being a Big Brother Big Sister participant, playing in the local Brass Band, volunteering in the past at the local SPCA and playing the piano at retirement villages around town.

In Central Otago Livi Geddes from Dunstan High School was named the TrustPower Central Otago Youth Community Spirit Award winner. Livi is involved in sports teams, cultural activities and in academic areas - she is a very well-rounded student, and with her long list of community contributions.

In the next few weeks the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award winners from Tararua and Western Bay of Pleny district will be named….so watch this space!

For more information on the TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award or the TrustPower Community Awards phone Pip at TrustPower on 0800 87 11 11 or go to www.trustpower.co.nz

Auckland events ... Volunteer Awareness Week 2009

2009-06-04T19:59:00.000-07:00

Volunteering Auckland have a number of initiatives during Volunteer Awareness Week 2009. Showcasing volunteering by young people this week highlights the varied and many opportunities that are currently being undertaken by our youth in Auckland.

Students from AUT School of Journalism are writing stories on young volunteers [14-24years] for publication in our local suburban newspapers as part of their term assignment.

Cheryll Martin, General Manager, is facilitating two workshops on "Engaging Youth in Volunteer Programmes", June 16th [North Shore] and 18th [Auckland City]. Contact ceo@volunteeringauckland.org.nz if interested in attending.

Volunteering Auckland is hosting an "Open Day" for member and non-member NPOs on Wednesday 17th to showcase how your local Volunteer Centre works and the services we have available for community organisaitons which involve volunteers. Contact Marja admin@volunteeringauckland.org.nz if interested in attending.

GENEROSITY IN A TIME OF RECESSION

2009-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

This will be the theme of a “Communities of Interest” meeting being hosted by the Generosity Hub in Wellington on Friday 19 June. A major national event for Volunteer Awareness Week, it will report on the Hub’s work to grow the level of giving in all its forms – giving time (volunteering), money, in kind and random acts of kindness.

Those invited include those who participated in the meeting in November 2007 which agreed to the Promoting Generosity initative and those who have since expressed interest in the Hub's work.

The Hon Minister Tariana Turia will be the guest speaker. Inspirational stories of generosity will be told reflecting this time when all sectors are being hit hard by the current economic downturn. Members of the Hub will talk about the personal impact promoting generosity has had on them and present what they have done to date and their plans to for the Hub’s work in 2009/2010.

Two page spread in Christchurch "Press"

2009-06-01T17:04:00.000-07:00

Volunteering Canterbury is delighted that so many members have supported their feature for Volunteer Awareness Week which will appear in the "Press" on Friday 12 June. A very warm 'thank you' to you all.

Treats for Volunteers

2009-06-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

During Volunteer Awareness Week special Christchurch treats have been organised for volunteers involved with members of Volunteering Canterbury. These include free admission to several attractions and free guided tours.

Seventeen outstanding volunteers to receive Awards

2009-06-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Seventeen Canterbury volunteers will receive Volunteer Recognition Awards during Volunteer Awareness Week. These will be presented by Mayor Bob Parker at a function on Monday 15 June at 2.00 p.m. in the Cranford Centre (115 Cranford Street). There will be entertainment from the Linwood College Jazz Combo and refreshments. Everyone is welcome to join Volunteering Canterbury at this event. There is no charge.

ARTHRITIS NEW ZEALAND - GREATER WELLINGTON AT THE NEW DOWSE

2009-06-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

Arthritis New Zealand - Greater Wellington Service Centre are having an afternoon tea and Gallery Viewing at the New Dowse in Lower Hutt to say a huge THANKS and recognise all the good work our volunteers do for us, especially during our Lucky Orange Lottery.
All volunteers from Arthritis New Zealand welcome (please RSVP).
New Dowse, 45 Laings Road, LOWER HUTT at 2pm.
RSVP's to Melissa O'Connell by the 11th June (for catering purposes).
Please phone on 569-1125.

Volunteer Wellington Happenings

2009-05-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

Volunteering by youth will be highlighted during Volunteer Awareness Week
2009. The week, from Sunday 14 June until Saturday 20 June, is a great
opportunity to promote and celebrate volunteering and the wide range of
volunteering roles available within the community. It also encourages
first-timers to give volunteering a go.

Volunteer Wellington is organising several events through our three offices
to which you, our members, are invited. In brief:

Volunteer Porirua in partnership with Community Development Unit Porirua
City Council is holding a forum entitled WORKING WELL WITH YOUTH VOLUNTEERS.
When: 9-30 am - 12 midday, Friday 19 June 2009. Where: Te Rauparaha Arena
Meeting Room, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua. Speakers are Awhina Buchanan,
Teresa Ross, Fa'amatuainu Wayne Poutoa, Jessica Smith. They will present
bright ideas about working effectively with young volunteers. Morning tea
provided.

Volunteer Hutt is organising a forum in partnership with Community
Development Hutt City Council called GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS, selling
your story in the media for free. Facilitated by media consultant Allie
Webber, participants will be introduced to working with the media in your
area and getting your messages across effectively. When: 10 am - 12.30 pm
Wednesday 17 June Where: St John's Hall, 47 Collingwood St (off Trafalgar
St) Waterloo, Lower Hutt. Morning tea provided.

Volunteer Wellington in partnership with Nikau Foundation is celebrating the
finale of the 2009 Corporate Challenge. When: 5-50 pm until 7-30 pm
Thursday 18 June. Where: The Exchange in KPMG's Wellington premises, Level
9, 10 Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Speakers include The Hon Tariana
Turia, Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector; Rebecca Gray,
researcher Health Sponsorship Council and challenge participant; Brent
Taylor, operations manager, Ronald McDonald House and challenge recipient.
Refreshments. Photographs of the community challenges will be on display.

The DominionPost is running a supplement page in association with Volunteer
Wellington on Tuesday 16 June. Stories about volunteering and community
promotional notices will fill the page.

Flyers for the three events are attached with more details including rsvp
for catering purposes. Also check out http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz

Anyone who would like posters and balloons promoting Volunteer Awareness
Week, ring Volunteering New Zealand on 384 3636 or email
comms@volunteeringnz.org.nz

Volunteer Porirua with Porirua City Council Community Development Unit are also doing a two-spread in the Kapi Mana focussing
on young volunteers coming. This will appear on 16th June. Porirua's civic awards ceremony celebrating volunteers in the community is also being held on Tuesday 16th.

“MACCA’S & LAMINGTONS” in New Plymouth

2009-05-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

It will be an exciting evening of recognition, fun and entertainment for Intergenerational Volunteers in New Plymouth!!!

At the function we are having both young and older volunteers speak about what volunteering has meant to them, we have entertainment from both young and old and we are using the time to have the generations of volunteers mix and mingle and just get to know one another.

We are also running a feature in our local community newspaper highlighting 2 or 3 of our youth volunteers on the 17th June.

When: Wednesday 17 June 2009.
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Venue: New Plymouth Girls’ High School, Year 13 Study, Mangorei Road, New Plymouth.

For further information please contact Heather on Phone (06)759-6678 or email npvsnz@yahoo.co.nz.

Cancer Society celebrates VAW in Palmerston North

2009-05-06T15:40:00.000-07:00

Street Parade will be held Tuesday 16 June 1 - 3pm, starting from the Square and culminating at the Regent Theatre where there will be speeches and acknowledgements.

The expo will be held on the events quadrant in the Square on Saturday 20 June. The Army have been approached to provide marquee size tents,as well as heating and lighting. The hours for the expo will be between 10am and 3pm with set up for displays at 9am and pack up completed by 4pm.

Having the event on the Square it will provided the greatest public exposure. Any organisations interested in having a promotional stand at the expo are asked to please contact Janice Gordon at janicephoenix@xtra.co.nz to register their interest or enquiries.

Welcome to Volunteer Awareness Week 2009 blogspot

2009-04-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Welcome to VAW 2009 blogspot

The Volunteer Aareness Week 2009 is coming closer and Volunteering NZ is looking forward to celebrate it together with all of you.

Similarly to the previous years we have developed a blog which will serve as a collection of different events happening in NZ during the Week. Everyone who is planning an event is welcome to post it on blog and will automatically enter the draw to win a $50 book voucher. Each post counts as one entry. This blog will be promoted across the media, which is one more reason to have your event announced on blog. More information on how to publish your event have a look at the post below.

How to post a blog story

2009-04-28T21:02:00.000-07:00

To post the story yourself please follow the instructions below:
1. On the top right of the browser click on Sign In
2. Type the username volunteeringnz@gmail.com
Type the password volunteer1 and click Sign In.
3. This will take you to the Dashboard.
4. To add a new post click on New Post which will take you to the Post Screen.
5. Type the Title in the Title box (Instructions on how to make the title link to your web page are below.)
6. Click on Compose and type in your Post.
7. Add photos. (Instructions below).
8. Click Preview to see how your Post looks. Click Hide Preview to return to your Post.
If you need to change any text, you should be able to do it in Compose. If this doesn’t work, click Edit html and edit from there.
9. You can Save Now your Post if you want to do more work on it before publishing it.
10. When you are satisfied with your Post, you can click on Publish Post. This makes it live on the blogspot and it can be accessed by the public.
11. Remember to click Sign Out when you finish your Post.

To Make the Title of your Post link to your Web Page:
1. Log into your webpage on the Internet.
2. Copy your web address from here (do not just type it in the blog post).
3. When you create your Post, you will see a Title box. Type in your title.
4. Under it is the Link box. Paste your web address in it. Once your Post is published, a click on your title will take the viewer to your website.
5. Now go on to create the text of your blog.

To add a Picture or a Video
Easy! You will see an icon where your are typing your post. One is for adding a picture, the other is for a video.

Have Fun!