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Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter. National Volunteer Week is almost upon us again, how times flies. Don't miss your opportunity to buy tickets to our gala dinner. Also in this issue find out more about IYV +10 grants and CHOGM which is coming to Perth later this year.

1. National Volunteer Week Dinner
2. IYV +10 Grants Program
3. Training update
4. Corporate corner
5. Perth to host CHOGM in October 2011
6. National Conference on Volunteering theme announced
7. Social innovation grants available from the Telstra Foundation
8. Building partnerships between Government and NFPs conference
9. Adult Learners' Week Grants
10. Welcome to new members...
11. April's hot resource tip!

National Volunteer Week Dinner

This year, in recognition of IYV+10, Volunteering WA is hosting a Gala Dinner instead of a breakfast to celebrate National Volunteer Week. This special National Volunteering Week Gala Dinner will include presentation of the Volunteer Awards and will be held at the Astral Room at the Burswood Entertainment Complex on Wednesday 11 May at 7.00pm for 7.30pm ‘til midnight. Tickets will be available for $150 per person. Please save the date for what will be an amazing night. We will send out more information shortly however please contact Volunteering WA on 9482 4333 or taury@volunteeringwa.org.au with any queries.

We hope you can join us on this special occasion and to join an inspiring group of West Australians to mark their wonderful contributions to the state.

IYV +10 Grants Program

The United Nations designated 2001 as the International Year of Volunteering. The year 2011 will mark the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteering (known as IYV+10). As part of the celebrations and promotion that will occur throughout this milestone year, Volunteering WA will be offering funding of up to $1000 to community organisations.

The aim of the IYV+10 Grants Program is to support both metropolitan and regional communities to celebrate this special year as a whole of community event. Applications that reflect partnerships between local organisations to run an event or display will receive priority. Funding may be used for administration, publicity, transport, hire of equipment and/or venue, entertainment (e.g. hiring a band), food, or non-alcoholic beverages.

IYV+10 grants will be allocated on the basis of:

• The grant being used during 2011
• Preference for activities involving partnerships between local volunteer organisations
• Confirmation that the conditions of funding will be met

For more information or to download a copy of the grant guidelines and application form please visit the Volunteering WA website. 

Training update

Please join us for the next Volunteer Manager’s Network Meeting, which is taking place on 14 April at City West Lotteries House. Topics up for discussion include the proposed changes in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, conflict resolution, and disaster relief. If you would like to attend, please contact Martha on 9482 4310 or Martha@volunteeringwa.org.au. Don’t forget to send though any hot topics that you would like to discuss at the meeting! New members are always welcome, so please come along.

Volunteering WA, in partnership with People First Total Solutions, is proud to present US volunteer management expert, Susan Ellis on 7-8 June. Stay tuned for more information about Susan’s sessions.

Corporate corner

The growth of Corporate Social Responsibility in Australian companies reflects the global trend in business. This month we provide a link to the latest Australian research report and also to an article detailing the impact and outcomes from PwC’s commitment to corporate responsibility on a global scale.

Firstly the research report entitled The State of CSR in Australia Annual Review 2010-2011, available from the Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR), shows that improved corporate performance, not risk minimisation, is becoming a key outcome of corporate social responsibility activities. This comprehensive survey involving almost 500 managers from a broad spectrum of Australian-based organisations revealed that having CSR capabilities is strongly linked to improved competitive advantage and the creation of new value such as new products and services. The survey report and its companion, a snapshot of key industry sectors (including NGOs), can be downloaded from the ACCSR website.

Secondly in her article outlining Pricewaterhouse Cooper's (PwC) own Corporate Responsibility (CR) journey and evolution, Sarah Buckley, Corporate Responsibility Director for PwC, discusses the beneficial impact of embedding CR into core business. Sarah points out the relevance of CR to business strategy, the impact on staff retention, and how PwC’s commitment has evolved. Sarah’s article is available on The Centre for Social Impact’s (CSI) website: Can Corporate Responsibility really add value to businesses and society?

Perth to host CHOGM in October 2011

Every two years, Commonwealth leaders meet at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to agree on collective policies and initiatives.

In October 2011, this event is coming to our beautiful city – Perth, and will provide all citizens with the opportunity to showcase our city, and our country to thousands of international delegates.

Volunteers will play an integral role in the successful delivery of CHOGM 2011 and Volunteering WA has the honour of delivering the Volunteers Program in conjunction with the CHOGM 2011 Taskforce (the national organising body located within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet). It is anticipated that a large number of volunteers will be required to deliver a range of services including:

• facilitating the movement of delegates,
• providing information, assistance and direction, and
• transporting delegates between venues.

CHOGM 2011 will be the biggest international event to be held in Perth for many years and will provide volunteers with a unique once in a lifetime opportunity to participate. If you are interested in finding out more about CHOGM 2011 volunteering opportunities visit www.chogm2011.org or www.volunteeringwa.org.au. Applications open late April 2011!

National Conference on Volunteering theme announced

Volunteering Australia is pleased to announce the theme of the National Conference on Volunteering: Inspire. Challenge. Influence. to be held from 9 to 11 November 2011, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD. The conference theme builds on last year's conference and also links with the United Nations IYV+10 theme of Inspiring the Volunteer in You. IYV+10 is a timely reminder that we need to work to continually improve all aspects of volunteering.

For more information visit the Conference website.

Social innovation grants available from the Telstra Foundation

The Telstra Foundation has announced that it has made available $3 million dollars in grants for projects that support social innovation in Australia over the next three years. The foundation will support initiatives that focus on education, health and well-being. In the past grants have been awarded to projects benefiting children and young people experiencing social and geographical isolation to help them reach their potential, enrich their social connections and build their sense of belonging.

For information about the grants visit the Telstra Foundation website.

Building partnerships between Government and NFPs conference

The Building Partnerships between Government and NFPs conference is scheduled for the National Convention Centre in Canberra for 19 to 20 May. The conference is an opportunity to embark on a strategic conversation about how the two sectors can best move forward. The conference aims to facilitate such a dialogue and will feature presentations from representatives of organisations making headway in this area.

Attendees will learn:

• How to overcome challenges associated with establishing and maintaining partnerships
• Effective models of collaboration

 For more information visit the conference website.

Adult Learners' Week Grants

Adult Learners’ Week is celebrated between 1 to 8 September. It is an opportunity to promote and highlight the value of all forms of adult learning in the community. The Grants program in 2011 will invite applications for funding between $2,500 - $5,000 per application, from organisations based in WA currently providing ongoing adult and community education opportunities.

This year there will be two categories of grants: 

• Community Activity
• Awards Event

The focus will be on community partnership arrangements to provide maximum metropolitan and regional participation. Applications open April 6 and close on May 9 2011. For more information please visit the Tenders WA website.

Welcome to new members...

• Bankwest
• Joondalup Men’s Shed
• Associates Rugby Union Football Club Inc
• Lynn MacLaren MLC
• Perth2011 (ISAF Sailing World Championships)
• Rotary Club of North Perth Inc
• Teddy Love Club
• Headache and Migraine WA
• Heritage Perth Inc
• Friends of Bennett Brook Reserve
• Carpets for Communities
• Warnboro CHS Education Support Centre
• Black Cockatoo Preservation Society

We look forward to working with you.

April's hot resource tip!

If you're looking for ways of acknowledging your volunteers this National Volunteer Week why not consider using a Certificate of Appreciation as one way? Volunteering Australia have a certificate that you can download from their website.