Where to find volunteering opportunities

There is a huge number of web sites providing opportunities for volunteering – simply enter ‘volunteering opportunities’ for Australia and you’ll get 50,000 options. The following sites are provided as examples. None is endorsed. You need to do your own research and make informed choices. Those selected as examples do include some of the major, recognised organisations.

In an effort to find ways to attract and retain staff, some are suggesting that employee volunteering (EV) programs, as part of the broader concept of corporate social responsibility, are worth considering.

Volunteering Australia has produced two resources that are available on their web site. These resources are:

Employee Volunteering and CSR: Job seeker perspectives, Melbourne 2007

Staff Recruitment, Retention, Satisfaction and Productivity: The effects of employee volunteering programs, Melbourne 2007.

http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s02_article/default.asp?nav_top_id=66&nav_cat_id=305

Both reports offer positive interpretations of the data obtained. However, these reports need to be read with caution:

Both are based on surveys conducted with people searching or browsing for job vacancies advertised on line and through a contact list. While the demographics of respondents are provided, there is no indication that this is a representative sample from which generalisations can be legitimately made.

The conclusions drawn tend to be couched in the most positive language while ignoring their limitations. For example, the report on retention highlights that: "The majority of respondents with employee volunteering programs reported these programs have positive effects on retention, job satisfaction and/or productivity." A closer reading of the text shows that this is what people ‘believed’ and ‘most could not support this with statistical evidence.’

Clearly, more research is needed.

The WA Government has a web page Volunteer’s Resources Online which provides various versions of a Guide to Employee Volunteering for WA public sector agencies:

http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DFC/Communities/Volunteers/PublicationsandResources/Policy_and_Guides.htm#Pub1

The Guide defines Employee Volunteering Programs (EVP) as:

‘those mechanisms used by companies that support and facilitate employee volunteer activities in community based non-profit organisations and groups, charitable groups and groups identified in need of services and assistance.’

National Australia Bank provides an example of an employee volunteer program at http://www.nab.com.au/About_Us/0,,81043,00.html

Where to find volunteering opportunities:

http://www.volunteeract.org.au/

Volunteering ACT is the peak body for volunteering in the ACT region. They represent the interests of all community volunteers, and of all those who work with volunteers.

For links to state volunteer web sites go to:

http://www.volunteeract.org.au/network/links.htm

http://www.australianvolunteers.com/

Volunteering Australia sources volunteers for international programs.

http://www.volunteer.com.au/

SEEK Volunteer is a non-profit initiative designed to bring volunteers and the organisations seeking them together. Volunteer opportunities are updated daily and all organisations have been qualified by Volunteering Australia's associated state centres.

http://www.volindigenous.org.au/

Indigenous Community Volunteers (ICV) is a not for profit organisation providing Indigenous Australians with new skills. Communities, organisations or individuals identify their skill needs then ICV matches the projects with volunteers to address those needs.

http://www.volunteering.org.au/

Their ongoing aim is to have IVI volunteers offering their assistance- either social services in the community or sustainable development and management of the natural environment - everywhere in the world that it is needed.

http://www.volunteeringqueensland.org.au/

Volunteering Queensland is the peak body for volunteering in Queensland with a state wide network of Volunteer Resource Centres.

http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au/conservation-connect.asp

Conservation Volunteers is Australia’s leading practical conservation organisation. Its mission is to attract and manage a force of volunteers in practical conservation projects for the betterment of the Australian environment.

http://www.workplace.gov.au/workplace/Individual/Volunteer/VolunteeringOpportunities.htm

General information about volunteering opportunities.

http://www.volunteersearch.gov.au/

The government's VolunteerSearch website offers information on volunteering opportunities and organisations advertising volunteering vacancies.

http://www.govolunteer.com.au/

Volunteering Australia’s GoVolunteer website is another source of information about volunteering and current opportunities. It gives community organisations the opportunity to freely advertise volunteer vacancies, and volunteers can search and apply for opportunities online.

Where to find volunteering opportunities

Where to find volunteering opportunities:

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