The end of year ‘silly season’ is almost upon us and with diaries filling up with events and other commitments, it’s a busy time for volunteers.
This month’s newsletter includes updates on some important national developments in the volunteering sector, a reminder about International Volunteer Day, as well as a round-up of local activities and achievements.
In important news for organisations working to meet the National Standards for Volunteer Management, Volunteering SA&NT will be launching in the coming weeks, our free self-assessment tool.
This is a great tool to help identify where we can support your organisation to achieve best practice in volunteer management – find out more in the story below.
Also at the national level, Volunteering SA&NT is proud to have contributed to Volunteering Australia’s pre-budget submission, which highlights where strategic investment by the Commonwealth Government in volunteering and volunteer management will provide the opportunity for volunteering to thrive.
Meanwhile, it’s International Volunteer Day on December 5, which is a great opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge all volunteers.
I am pleased to announce a great initiative in the Territory – the launch of our NT network meetings. This is an opportunity for your voices to be heard, to highlight the unique nature of volunteering across the Territory and advocate and develop approaches to best support volunteering locally.
Meetings will be held quarterly, with an opportunity to join in person or online. We are aiming to hold in person meetings in Alice Springs and Katherine in 2025, so keep informed through these newsletters for dates and where to register.
As always, I thank you for everything you do to support volunteering and giving back to our community.
Hamilton Calder Chief Executive Officer
Congratulations Australian of the Year NT award recipients
We’re sending our heartfelt congratulations to all award recipients and all nominees of the Australian of the Year NT. They are truly inspiring people who are making a lasting impact on the lives of Territorians.
We would like to acknowledge Nilesh Dilushan, recipient of the 2025 Young Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory, and winner of the 2023 Overall Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year – Top End.
Volunteer manager network meetings
We were thrilled to have volunteer managers join our meetings this month, to share Volunteering NT’s initiatives, national volunteer sector news, and experiences about attracting and retaining volunteers.
The meetings will be held quarterly, with an opportunity to join in person or online. In 2025 we aim to be holding in person meetings in Alice Springs and Katherine, so keep informed through these newsletters for dates and where to register.
Volunteer register - a new way to connect with new volunteers
Organisations across the Northern Territory have consistently told us that they need a better way to access a pool of prospective volunteers – and community members keen to volunteer are not sure where to start.
That’s why we are investing in a new platform to connect the community with volunteer-involving organisations.
It will enable community members to register as a volunteer, list their availability, skills and interests and then be matched with opportunities advertised by volunteer involving organisations. We will be launching the volunteer register in time for National Volunteer Week in May 2025.
In the meantime, Volunteering NT will be reaching out to organisations that currently advertise their volunteer opportunities on our existing platform with further information about transitioning across to the new platform.
If you are not already registered to advertise, but would like to learn more, please contact us on vnt@vsant.org.au.
Have your say
Volunteering NT is seeking your contribution to better understand volunteer involvement across regional, remote and very remote Northern Territory.
We want your voices to be heard, to highlight the unique nature of volunteering across the NT, and advocate and develop approaches to best support volunteering locally.
If you want your voice heard and to share your experience of involving volunteers, visit the Volunteer Sector survey.
Collectively your voices will help Volunteering NT better represent you and meet your needs for a supported volunteering community.
Supporting local sports clubs and associations
Through our partnership with the NT Government, Volunteering NT is providing the following opportunities to local sports clubs and associations to build their knowledge and skills in volunteer management.
FREE 12 month access to our Support Membership benefits
A tailored one hour session with Volunteering NT to implement your Game Plan Workforce action plan
If you are a sports club or association based in the NT, and interested in participating all you have to do is complete your Workforce module in Game Plan.
Hurry, this opportunity ends on 30 June 2025. If you would like any further information, please contact us via vnt@vsant.org.au.
Connecting volunteer leaders across NT, SA and WA
We recently held our quarterly Regional Rural Remote Community of Practice with volunteer leaders across NT, SA and WA. The barriers and enablers of youth volunteering in our communities, and the positive outcomes gained for everyone when young people volunteer were among the topics discussed.
This community of practice is a cross-border initiative to connect leaders of volunteers in
regional, rural and remote communities to connect and share knowledge about building inclusion and diversity into volunteer programs.
The next quarterly online meeting is 4 February with a focus on disability inclusion and a presentation from Mission Australia about its project to support volunteers with a disability.
If you are interested in being part of this supportive community, register here.
National Standards for Volunteer Involvement - online self-assessment tool
An easy to use, online self-assessment tool empowering your organisation to meet the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement is about to be launched.
This is a free new resource – but places are limited so members will receive priority access.
The tool measures your organisation's performance in volunteer involvement, equipping you with the information you need to achieve best practice.
This includes:
assessment of your organisation's performance against the Standards,
recommendations to achieve compliance with the Standards,
an automatically generated action plan for good practice,
workflow management tools, including a shared digital workspace, and
a suite of resources to support you.
If you are interested in getting access to this tool, express your interest through the Volunteer Sector survey link and a VSA&NT team member will be in contact with you.
Volunteer Management Health Check
Volunteering NT has developed this tool to support volunteer-involving organisations to assess the health of your volunteer program. This tool aligns with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
A Volunteering NT staff member will provide member organisations with a 1-1 session to work through the Health Check and identify opportunities to strengthen your volunteer program.
This is a great opportunity to take up in conjunction with the National Standards Self-Assessment tool. If you are an existing member, and interested in accessing this benefit, please email vnt@vsant.org.au.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD)
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is held annually on December 3, to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions. It provides the opportunity to make positive changes to the lives of the 4.4 million Australians with disability.
This year's theme is amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This theme recognises the important role that people with disabilities play in creating a more inclusive and sustainable world for all. It also emphasises the importance of the participation of people with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
Here are some local IDPwD events across the NT – check them out!
The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (5 December), more commonly referred to as International Volunteer Day (IVD), is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.
This year’s theme is Diverse volunteers, stronger communities. It acknowledges volunteering makes people part of the solutions. Volunteerism lets people and communities participate in their development.
Volunteers create a richer culture of service within their communities. They help bridge the gap between generations and support sustainable development.
IVD offers an opportunity for volunteer-involving organisations and individual volunteers to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local, national and international levels.
Join the global community in recognising volunteers all over the world through the United Nation’s social media campaign, using the hashtag #IVD2024. View the United Nation’s IVD 2024 Trello Board for resources.
How are you celebrating International Volunteer Day this year? Tag Volunteering NT in your socials to connect and share the breadth and depth of the unique and diverse volunteering sector across the Territory.
#VolunteeringNT
NTCOSS NT Support Coordinator community of practice meeting
If you are a Support Coordinator working in disability services in the NT and are looking for an opportunity to connect with others working in your field, the TCASS Community of Practice is for you! See below meeting and contact details.
The premier event on the Territory sporting calendar recognises the outstanding achievements of our athletes, coaches, sporting officials and volunteers across nine categories.
Check out the categories including Volunteer of the Year awarded to an individual who has displayed outstanding conduct as a volunteer in the support, administration, promotion and/or delivery of services to Territory-based sport (this includes unpaid coaches and officials).
Nominations are open to all volunteers involved in sport.
Looking for a grant opportunity? Check out this handy directory.
The Northern Territory (NT) Government provides a wide range of grants, scholarships and other forms of support for businesses, community organisations and individuals.
Victims of Crime NT promotes a supportive, collaborative, and accountable team environment and is committed to the development of our staff.
We have a life-long learning and continuous improvement philosophy, and flexible workplace practices are in place where possible to support our workforce.
VoCNT is an inclusive organisation and supports victims of crime across the diversity spectrum within the Northern Territory.
We believe our employees and volunteers should emulate the diversity within our communities.
VoCNT adopts the Sanctuary model for the whole of the organisation. Sanctuary helps us to build a trauma informed community that acknowledges adversity as a human experience, and creates safety for healing, recovery, and growth to occur. VoCNT is working towards accreditation as the first Sanctuary provider in the NT.
If you’d like to be our next NT Member in the spotlight, please email membership@vsant.org.au.
Victims of Crime
Victims of Crime has three opportunities available – click on the position to find out more.
VSA&NT will be closed during the festive season. We will be closed from Monday 23 December and will be re-opening on Monday 6 January 2025.
Did you know we're also on socials!? We'd love for you to like and follow us!
About Volunteering NT
Volunteering NT is a division of Volunteering SA&NT, which is a not-for-profit organisation and the peak body for volunteering, leading the sector in the Northern Territory.
We connect people and organisations to create positive volunteering experiences and work with volunteers, volunteer involving organisations, businesses and communities to lead, advance, grow, promote and celebrate volunteering.
Darwin
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