VPM Retreat - not just fifty, not just three

History

The Australasian Retreat for Advanced Volunteer Management is the brainchild of Andy Fryar and Martin J Cowling, two leading Australian volunteerism experts and the providers of ongoing volunteer management training globally. The annual retreat was held for the first time in Canberra during March 2005 with attendees from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States. This will followed by 2006 in Brisbane, and 2007 in Hobart.

The Aims of the Retreat

The concept of the retreat is to:

  1. Support the emerging profession of volunteer manager
  2. Encourage and strengthen volunteer managers at an "advanced" stage in their professional development
  3. Aid volunteer managers to stay in the profession
  4. Provide an advanced level training opportunity
  5. Help volunteer managers to consider whom they can foster development of their profession

We hope that you will consider being part of this journey. the retreat experience is open to any volunteer manager who can demonstrate that they possess at least three years experience. Not having this will preclude you from involvement at this time.

Benefits of Retreat Involvement

  • exposure to advanced level training
  • small and large group time with peers who are advanced level practitioners
  • one to one and small group access to expert internationally recognised faculty members
  • an electronic discussion network only open to retreat alumni

Volunteering in Australasia

It is estimated that there are 4.4 million volunteers in Australia. New Zealanders devote approximately 250 million hours per year to unpaid voluntary work for community organisations. In Singapore 15% of the population participates in voluntary activities.

Fire brigades, ambulances, football, cricket, basketball and swim teams, conservation programs, health awareness activities all rely on people who give their time, talents and ability for no financial return. They do this for a variety of reasons and sometimes competing motivations. Jayne Cravens of UNV says "People ...volunteer ...to be a part of a meaningful, powerful project that will truly make a difference in a cause they believe in."

Being a Manager of Volunteer Programs

The role of the volunteer manager is to harness the energy of the community members who choose to be involved in their programs. Using a diverse range of talents, differing motivations and time commitments, volunteer managers achieve the outcomes desired both by volunteer and the not-for-profit organisations they volunteer with.

It is estimated that approximate one quarter of not for profits in Australia have a volunteer manager. This is an increase on fifteen years ago when it was less than 5%. The profession of volunteer manager is therefore still a very new one and not often understood by the community or even by not for profit organisations. The position of Volunteer Manager within these organisations is often under-resourced and usually a long way down the "pecking order". the turnover of volunteer managers has been very high.

The retreat comes at a significant time in volunteerism in Australasia. We are seeing the development of a profession in many nations. Organisations are re=-evaluating and elevating the status of the role. Managers of volunteers are electing to "stay" in the profession. Standards and expectations are rising. The availability of resources, training and supports is rapidly improving.

We look forward to welcoming you to our next Retreat.

 

Copyright 2005 Project Seven Development