Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum
We facilitate Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum sessions for local volunteer managers every two months. The forum is a great opportunity for Volunteer Managers, Leaders and Co-ordinators to network, discuss volunteering issues and ideas, and generally offer support to each other where relevant. The format includes workshops and discussion topics on volunteering and good practice; members determine their content and structure.
We share advice and information on all aspects of volunteer management. This includes where to get training, examples of policies and good practice and what's happening on the local, regional and national scene. We're always looking for guest speakers so if you'd like to get up, stand up and tell us a bit more about what you do and how your service involves volunteers then please contact Simon Hancox.
Our November session saw us look at volunteering motivations. We discussed what motivates volunteers to initially get involved and what we, as volunteer leaders, can do to help sustain that involvement. It's clear that volunteers' motivations can change over the course of time so it is important we are doing all we can to offer opportunities to meet their skills and interests, and help with their personal and professional development. Work together with your volunteers to outline and set challenges, and offer recognition where you can. As the excellent Pathways through Participation report says:
give volunteers a quality experience and roles that make a difference and you greatly enhance your ability to continue to engage people in giving their time
And of course, say thank you; it goes a long way.
Our November session also saw Asia Alder from the University of Derby deliver a presentation about the Derby Award programme for Leadership and Management, and what this could open up for voluntary and community organisations. Info here
We also saw Thom Kellogg from Community Action share details about a new Employer Supported Volunteering programme currently in development. The aim is to match businesses with voluntary organisations depending on the need and want. For more info contact Thom on 01332 227736 or click here
The next Volunteer Co-ordinators Forum will be held on Wednesday 25 January at Community Action on Charnwood Street, Derby, DE1 2GT and will run from 10:00 - 13:00. Entitled 'what's the value of your volunteering programme?' we'll be looking at how we can put a value against our own volunteering programmes. This will include looking at the VIVA method and other forms of volunteering impact assessment. We'll also be doing our usual round-up of information sharing and networking, and we'll include an update on the Volunteering Strategy for Derby. For more info contact Simon by email or by phone 01332 227718.
Volunteering Strategy for Derby
Take a look at the Volunteering Strategy for Derby 2011 - 2014 by clicking here. The strategy includes input from the voluntary and community sector, public sector and private sector all working together towards the overarching aim of:
"increasing the proportion of
If you would like further information about the Volunteering Strategy please contact Simon Hancox on 01332 227718 or email Simon
Facebook fan page
Why not take a look at our Volunteering in Derby and Derbyshire Facebook fan page by clicking on the Olympics 2012 Inspire mark on the left hand side of this page. Organisations can upload info about their opportunities to the fan page.
