Volunteering Australia

This Social Inclusion Week we’re celebrating how volunteering offers something for everyone: a chance to make a difference and connect with others. The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and the National Strategy for Volunteering help organisations create programs that are inclusive and accessible, making it easier for individuals from all walks of life to get involved. Volunteering should be an easy choice, where everyone feels welcome to come as they are and contribute their time, skills, and passion to causes they care about. To further encourage inclusion, the National Standards are available in multiple languages, breaking down barriers and opening doors for people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. 📚 Learn more about the National Standards: https://lnkd.in/gzkkEu9P #SocialInclusionWeek #InclusionMatters 

The NFP Sector is one of the most trusted national voices and networks in Australia. We employ millions of people. We contribute signifcantly to the country's social and economic wellbeing. We are amongst the first responders to crises and disasters. We are at the heart of civil society. So yesterday, ACOSS was incredibly proud to see The National NFP Blueprint published, after being officially handed to the Federal Government. This is an independent, non-partisan, ten-year reform roadmap that has been developed by, for and with the NFP Sector. Over two years, the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) convened to determine the best set of priorities to ensure we have a strong, thriving and sustainable Sector over the next decade. The Blueprint contains 18 key initiatives, organised across three strategic pillars: - Pillar One: An enabling operational and regulatory environment for the NFP sector to thrive; - Pillar Two: A people-led and purpose driven NFP Sector; and - Pillar Three: An adaptive and dynamic forward-focused NFP Sector. We now enter the next phase of this important work - securing wider parliamentary support for this roadmap, and co-designing implementation with government. You can read the Joint BERG Statement on next steps here: https://lnkd.in/gM5KHVzD Our sincere thanks and acknowledgement to our fellow BERG members - Anglicare Australia, Kasy Chambers, St Vincent de Paul Society Australia, 54 reasons, Volunteering Australia, Mark Pearce, FECCA (Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia), Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo, Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) Ltd, Jeff Smith, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, Catherine Liddle and Ian Hamm. Special thanks to ACOSS board - Matt Gardiner, Hang Vo, Violet Roumeliotis AM. ACOSS will continue engaging with our members and philanthropic partners as well like Paul Ramsay Foundation, to bring the Blueprint to life. The Blueprint can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/gnvr7_kk Learn more about the Blueprint and have any questions answered by registering for our policy webinar on 10 December: https://lnkd.in/gvhF4QGc..

Congratulations to the Origin Energy Foundation on receiving the award for Best Volunteering Program at the 2024 Australian Workplace Giving Awards. The Australian Workplace Giving Awards celebrate outstanding workplace giving programs across the country with Volunteering Australia CEO, Mark Pearce a member of the independent judging panel. Learn more about all the award winners and finalists: https://lnkd.in/g9VBRbWq

One Week to Go Until 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆! Mark your calendars for 5th December, when we join the world in celebrating International Volunteer Day. This global day of recognition shines a light on the vital role volunteers play in addressing the world’s challenges. Here in Australia, millions of volunteers dedicate their time, energy, and passion to strengthening communities and creating positive change. We are so very grateful for all that you do. It’s a time to celebrate their remarkable contributions and acknowledge the profound impact they have across our nation. Visit our website to access resources including certificates of appreciation for #IVD2024 https://lnkd.in/gb_gYWnk Image Credit: K9 Rescue Group Mandurah volunteer - Isobelle.

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) has officially handed the Not-for-profit Sector Blueprint to the Federal Government. This Blueprint shows clearly the enormous role the Not-for-profit (NFP) sector performs across Australia. The Blueprint, developed by representatives and experts from the Not-for-profit (NFP) Sector, sets out a 10-year vision for the future of the sector. It contains a framework, core initiatives and an implementation approach designed to ensure we have a strong and thriving sector that can continue to support Australia’s people, communities and environment. Mark Pearce, Volunteering Australia CEO, and member of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group said the NFP sector plays a vital role in bringing people together and fostering a sense of belonging across the nation. “The Blueprint offers a clear, evidence-based pathway to strengthen the NFP sector and address the challenges we face. We urge the government to accept the recommendations outlined in the Blueprint and commit to the solutions needed to ensure the sector can continue its critical work of enabling resilient, inclusive, and vibrant communities." The Blueprint is a starting point, not an end position, for long-term meaningful reform that will increase the capability and sustainability of the NFP Sector. It is the culmination of nearly two years’ work for the Blueprint Expert Reference Group, supported by a Secretariat in the Department of Social Services, incorporating significant public consultation. The Blueprint is accessible via the Department of Social Services website: https://lnkd.in/gnvr7_kk

The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) has officially handed the Not-for-profit Sector Blueprint to the Federal Government. This Blueprint shows clearly the enormous role the Not-for-profit (NFP) sector performs across Australia. The Blueprint, developed by representatives and experts from the NFP Sector, sets out a 10-year vision for the future of the sector. It contains a framework, core initiatives and an implementation approach designed to ensure we have a strong and thriving sector that can continue to support Australia’s people, communities and environment. Mark Pearce, Volunteering Australia CEO, and member of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group said the NFP sector plays a vital role in bringing people together and fostering a sense of belonging across the nation. "The Blueprint offers a clear, evidence-based pathway to strengthen the NFP sector and address the challenges we face. We urge the government to accept the recommendations outlined in the Blueprint and commit to the solutions needed to ensure the sector can continue its critical work of enabling resilient, inclusive, and vibrant communities." The Blueprint draws on the National Strategy for Volunteering, recognising that the charitable sector engages 3.2 million volunteers, and more than half of Australia’s charities are run entirely by volunteers. The Blueprint is a starting point, not an end position, for long-term meaningful reform that will increase the capability and sustainability of the NFP Sector. It is the culmination of nearly two years’ work for the Blueprint Expert Reference Group, supported by a Secretariat in the Department of Social Services, incorporating significant public consultation. The Blueprint is accessible via the Department of Social Services (DSS) website: https://lnkd.in/gnvr7_kk

We are pleased to share our 2023-24 Annual Report. This year’s Annual Report reflects a year of collaboration and progress in strengthening the volunteering ecosystem across Australia. It highlights our impact over the last year including playing a central role in ensuring volunteering is acknowledged and incorporated in Commonwealth policy frameworks. This has been a year of meaningful change at the federal level, with initiatives that aim to build a more inclusive and resilient future for volunteering. We invite you to explore the full report: https://lnkd.in/gD_3i92i

Today Volunteering Australia CEO Mark Pearce is at the ANZTSR - Australian and New Zealand Third Sector Research Conference with the theme ‘Partnerships for Stronger Communities’.   Mark spoke about the sustainability of not-for-profit organisations and the National Strategy for Volunteering on a panel about ‘Perspectives on the sustainability of the third sector’ with Sue Woodward AM and John Godfrey, PhD, CFRE. https://lnkd.in/gjsQ2xvT

Join us as we celebrate International Volunteer Day on 5th December 2024. This special day is an opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions of volunteers who strengthen communities across Australia and the world. This year, UN Volunteers is highlighting how volunteering plays a vital role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Discover their range of resources and templates to help you recognise and thank volunteers in your community. Visit our website to learn more about #IVD2024 https://lnkd.in/gPfBNVx2

Calling all sport volunteers! 🏀 Your dedication makes sport possible at every level. Join our online forum to share your experience and ideas for the future of volunteering in Victoria. 🗓️ When: Thurs 21 November 2024, 7pm - 9pm (AEDT) 📍 Where: Online, via Zoom 🎁 Bonus: Receive a $30 gift card for your time Limited spots – sign up today to join the conversation! ➡️ Register here: bit.ly/SOVR-Sport 🔗 About the State of Volunteering research: bit.ly/4evPNWj #VolunteeringMatters #StateOfVolunteeringVIC South East Volunteers Vicsport Little Athletics Victoria