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Foundations of Volunteer Management

  • by Maria Lopez
  • October 15, 2024

As we know, Volunteer Management is a profession unto itself and having access to education and resources specific to the role is always welcome. Whether you are new to the position or wanting to cover your bases, these free online education modules from the National Volunteer Management Activity Project are worth checking out.

All Australian peak volunteering bodies have come together to support the National Volunteer Management Activity Project’s establishment of a National Knowledge Base. They have recently released new eLearning modules covering the fundamentals of volunteer management, all of which are free to access.

Here are the six modules available:

1. Manage and Promote Diversity designed to give you a thorough understanding of workplace diversity and inclusion, covering essential aspects for creating a respectful, inclusive, and productive work environment. The unit consists of various modules, each focusing on different aspects of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIBs). Starting with the basics of why diversity, belonging and inclusion are crucial for achieving organisational goals and how to collect and analyse diversity data, you’ll develop the skills to evaluate and improve diversity initiatives.

2. Use Communication to Build Relationships will take you on a journey to master the art of using communication to build and strengthen relationships in the professional sphere. The unit underscores the importance of clear, empathetic, and culturally aware communication as a cornerstone for fostering successful professional relationships and teamwork. You’ll gain practical guidance in tailoring dialogue to meet diverse needs, crafting effective meetings, and ensuring every interaction contributes to constructive relationship building.

3. Lead Team Effectiveness designed to enhance your leadership skills, focusing on building cohesive teams, effective communication, and resolving issues within your volunteer organisation. These skills are vital for those aiming to foster a positive, productive team environment, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

4. Maintain Work Health and Safety is a unit designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance workplace safety and team efficiency. This unit underscores the significance of Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, hazard identification, risk assessment, and the implementation of control measures, stressing the crucial role these elements play in maintaining a secure working environment.

5. Work Legally and Ethically provides an exploration of the Australian legal system and ethical frameworks, aimed at enhancing your understanding and application of legal and ethical principles in a professional setting. You’ll start by delving into the structure and operation of the Australian legal system, understanding different types of law and their implications on various work roles. This foundation will enable you to confidently navigate and apply key workplace policies and legislation.

6. Recruit, Induct and Support Volunteers. This unit focuses on the ways and means of recruiting, inducting and supporting volunteers. You’ll explore the broad landscape of volunteering, understanding the critical roles and demographics that shape this sector and the significant impact volunteers have on non-profit organisations. You’ll also delve into volunteer recruitment, learning how to structure and manage volunteer roles effectively, which includes crafting roles, understanding the rights and responsibilities of volunteers, and adhering to national standards.

These modules are just a part of the larger Knowledge Base, which offers a wealth of resources aimed at enhancing volunteer management practices across the country.

Upcoming Events

Trauma Informed Care training for volunteer biographers
UPCOMING
  • DECEMBER 3, 2024
  • 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Trauma Informed Care training for volunteer biographers

Hearing people tell stories about their life is core business for palliativ...

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NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – December meeting & Christmas lunch
UPCOMING
  • DECEMBER 12, 2024
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

NSW Network of Managers of Palliative Care Volunteers – December meeting & Christmas lunch

The role of the Network is to ensure best practice for NSW Managers of Pall...

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