Volunteer News

Growing Vitality in a Volunteering Community

August/ September 2015 Issue 56
Tena Koutou,
First of all, thank you Blueprint / Business Applications for printing our last newsletter after we had a photocopier
malfunction. The colour version looked great, back to normal this issue though.
Life in the office is quiet without Jane, it is taking a bit of getting use to. Kaye and Erin doing a great job, continuing to keep up the database and other administration work and we will look at the Volunteer Coordinators job in
the near future.
June and July are traditionally quiet months and this year was no exception, with exactly the same number of
people registering to volunteer as last year. However, we did have more organisations become members. Volunteer numbers have remained static over the past few years, and may be a sign of the times. Whereas in the
past, people would involve themselves in volunteer work once their children had gone off to school or left home,
they are now going into paid work. Baby boomers are realising that their years of earning an income are limited
and are working longer. People are travelling more, looking after grandchildren or are involved in other activities.
Volunteering has changed over the years, and has gone through a stage where professionalization has crept into
the sector and the demands on volunteers to become more skilled has had an impact on the people who just
want to get on with the job. In some cases their years of practical experience has been downplayed, however volunteers are the heart and soul of the organisation, they are the underpinning force behind many community organisations and their importance is once again being realised. The role of volunteer managers has developed,
best practice guidelines have been identified. Volunteer
Managers are responsible for shaping volunteer proWorkshops to put in your Diary !
grammes and their attitude will determine its effectiveGrant Writing, presented by Julie Condor , Conness.
tracts & Funding Advisor, GDC,
To share a fresh perspective on societal changes and the
impact on volunteering, we have invited Rob Jackson, a
leader in the UK volunteer management field and highly
regarded international trainer, facilitator and consultant, to present a workshop in Gisborne on 19th October . The topic is Understanding and Engaging Volunteers in the 21st Century and the Philosophy of Volunteering. Volunteer coordinators are encouraged to
come along and hear how they can update and enhance
their volunteer programmes as they move forward into
the future.
Enjoy the winter sun, stay warm and if you are wanting
to get out more, check out the volunteer jobs in this
newsletter.
Nku i roto i ng mihi, n

Jenny

20th August, 9.00-12.00, Salvation Army Hall ,

FREE, please register with Gisborne Volunteer
Centre to attend

Understanding and Engaging 21st Century

Volunteers / Philosophy of Volunteering
Presented by Rob Jackson, a leader in UK volunteer management
Monday 19th October, 10.30 3.00
Salvation Army Hall, Gladstone Rd.
Cost: $100, lunch included
Please register with Gisborne Volunteer Centre to
attend

2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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Opinion Piece by Gillian Creach, General Manager, Tairawhiti Community Law Centre.

The Benefits of Volunteering and Volunteers

In todays world you are very lucky to hold down a permanent fulltime paid job especially if you live in
a provincial town like Gisborne. Often willing and well qualified people are out there in the community
feverishly working away to secure that permanent full time job but cant get a foot in the door, mostly
because they lack experience. On the other hand there are many small employers who struggle to cover their workload and exist on minimal staffing levels because they have no budget for hiring additional
staff. So how can we get around this problem to achieve a win-win outcome?
Firstly, if you are a person looking for work but lack the practical experience that employers seem to
want then why not look to volunteering to give you that step in the door. And second, if you are an
employer who is finding it hard to get all the work done because you cant afford to hire additional
help then why not consider taking on a volunteer or two?
Speaking from experience as a past and current volunteer in the community and as an employer I am
passionate about the benefits of voluntary work in regard to both parties. If you have the knowledge
on how to manage volunteers in your workplace or community organisation and you treat your volunteers with respect and value their contribution you will be amazed what added value they can bring to
your organisation. If you take on a volunteer who has the necessary qualifications but lacks the experience you get the added bonus of watching them grow in confidence and ability.
Here at Tairawhiti Community Law Centre we have steadily increased our volunteer intake each year as
the benefits for us are amazing. Last year we had two law students, one from overseas on internship
and one local, three High School students on the Gateway work experience programme, one Open Polytechnic Student pursuing legal career, one student from Te Wananga O Aotearoa doing social work
supervision training, one from EIT Wairoa campus needing work experience and a work placement for
study requirements and several people referred from Gisborne Volunteer Centre resulting in a placement. In addition to this we also have local lawyers who give their time voluntarily to our Centre to
provide free legal advice clinics outside our office times.
If I was to work out the cost of these voluntary hours it would be considerable, thousands of dollars
worth; money which we do not have. But the financial benefits I believe are outweighed by the other
things we get such as a fresh perspective on the work that we do, an opportunity to learn about another culture first hand, being infected by the enthusiasm and energy that these volunteers bring, and
new and enduring friendships. These things cannot be purchased with money they are invaluable, just
like our volunteers.

Revised Health & Safety Bill Update

"Bill returns coverage of volunteers to current law"

The Select Committee considering the Health and Safety Reform Bill has made improvements to the Bill
so coverage of volunteers and volunteering organisations will remain as it is under the current law.
"The changes recognise that volunteers contribute greatly to New Zealand communities and aim to ensure the new law doesn't negatively affect volunteering" says an MBIE spokesperson
More information can be found: .http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/about/reform/6-volunteers
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2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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Tairawhiti Community Fruit Harvest

The Tairawhiti Fruit Harvest was started in May 2013 by
Nicole West to help pick fruit for those unable to, the fruit
is shared with the owner and the rest is given away to help
others or made into jams, chutneys and cordials.
Their purpose is to facilitate the sharing of unwanted/
excess fruit and vegetables from backyards and orchards
to those in need. Nicole and her volunteers make the fruit
into jams and, chutneys and cordials to give away to others in need. Recently they made lemon cordial
for the Salvation Army Foodbank.
If anyone in the Gisborne area has excess fruit and would like to redistribute it to a worthy cause, please
drop it off at Gisborne Budget Advisory Service, 48 Cobden St or Tairawhiti Community Law Centre, 11
Derby St and they will distribute it:-) They will also come to your place and pick if you
prefer.
They gratefully accept donations of sugar, bottles and jars for jam making and cordial. If you would like to help this worthy cause and enjoy making jams, chutney's or
cordials, become involved, your help will be welcomed.
Please contact Nicole West at tcvhub@gmail.com if you have fruit or would like to help.

Te Wherowhero Lagoon Restoration Project

3000 trees have been planted by volunteers at Te

Kowhai / Browns Beach to stabilise the dunes and
protect the estuary behind the dunes. The project
organised by Te Wherowhero Lagoon Restoration
Trust will provide habitats for insects and birds in
the future.

Twenty volunteers joined Jamie Foxley from

Tairawhiti Environment Centre for the last planting
day of the year, including these seven WOOFERS from
Spain, France, Italy and Finland . Steve and I also took
our young grand daughters , Ava and Sienna, out to
help. Ava really enjoyed helping to plant trees, while
little Sienna picked up the pots , when she wasnt lying around on her Poppa's back!
Children are never too young to be involved in volunteering.
2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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Community Notices

Volunteer Positions

Full licensed drivers for transit vehicles to pick

up children from schools, 2.30 to 3.30pm Monday to Friday

Home handyman to assist with minor maintenance of early childhood centres -approx. 5
hours per week

Fun, energetic volunteers to assist and support

staff in after school programme for children- art,
sport and learning activities and/or holiday programme support

Daffodil Pickers for two hours from 9am

Wednesday 26th August meet at Cancer Society Room Gisborne Hospital Gate 2 entrance

Daffodil Collectors 2 hour slots in the CBD

from 9am to 3pm Friday 28th August. Register
with Cancer Society Ph 867 1795

Volunteers to help out with activities at a day

centre for the elderly , tasks involve helping
with activities, helping to prepare morning tea
and lunches. Monday to Thursday mornings
from 8.45/ 9.00 to 12.45. If you have a spare
morning or two and like working with the elderly, let us know.

Maintenance Assistance with engineering experience to help maintain steam train, Thursday
and Saturday mornings.

Timekeepers, scorekeepers, linesmen, Referees,

to help with Special Olympics, 26th August.

Collectors wanted for 18th September for Canteens National Appeal.

Struggling with the dad you want to be?

Having issues talking to your Kids

Dad & Me Programme

This FREE programme provides an environment where Dads can
interact, share their experiences and learn different techniques
for being actively involved in their childrens and whanaus lives.
Workshops are at Tauawhi Mens Centre at 71 Peel St, Gisborne
Workshop: Your Role as a Dad Tuesday August 4th5:30pm
Mihi/Welcome. Discussion on what it means to be a Dad
Workshop: Child Development Tuesday August 11th5:30pm
Understanding where kids are at during different stages
Workshop: Communication and Discipline Tuesday August
18th5:30pm
Healthy Communication and non-violent discipline
Workshop: Systems/Korero/Next Steps Tuesday August 25th
5:30pm
Guest Speakers, Open Discussion and Poroporoaki
Whanau Days are held in the community
Morere Hot Pools - Meet at Tauawhi Saturday August 8th Free
entry for Dads and their whanau + free bbq
Arts and Activity - Tauawhi Mens Centre Saturday August 15th
Lets get creative together!
Make-aways to Take-aways Supagrans Saturday August 22nd
Make your own take aways for the whanau!

For more information on positions available contact us

at info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

Give us a call at Tauawhi:

or check out our website:

Tim Marshall 0275586362

71 Peel St, Gisborne 06 868 8278

www.gisbornevolunteer centre.org.nz
FREE!!

We also have jobs listed on SEEK Volunteer website:

www.seekvolunteer.co.nz
helping you to find a place to
volunteer

2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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Our Mission is to:

Strengthen our community by providing a climate that encourages volunteering
Board Members
Fleur Paenga -Chairperson
Diane Carter -Secretary
Brian Cochrane -Treasurer
Monique Carlyle -Youth representative
Grant MacDonaldDeputy Chair
Office Staff
Jenny Greaves - Manager
Kay Clarke - Office Administration
Erin Holwill - Office Administration
Office hours: 9:00 2.00 pm
Monday to Friday
Street Address: Level 2, Box 74,
74 Grey St
Postal Address: P O Box 105,
Gisborne
Phone:
(06) 8684522
Email:
info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz
Check out our website:
www.gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz
Follow us on:
Member of Volunteering NZ
Thanks to the following funders who have
generously provided funding throughout
the year and to the businesses who have
kindly helped and supported us:
Lottery Grants Board
DIA Support for Volunteer Fund
The Lion Foundation
J N Williams Memorial Trust
Eastern & Central Community Trust
COGS
First Light Community Foundation
Creative Communities NZ
EIT
Blueprint
Business Applications

GVC News
Six new community organisations have
joined us in June and July.
If you belong to a community group and
would like to join the Gisborne Volunteer Centre, please let
us know.
Registration forms for organisations and volunteers are
available on our website.
We have information and resources that may help improve your organisation's volunteer programme. If you
would like advice or would like us to visit and speak with
your staff, committees or board members, please contact
us. We are here to strengthen volunteering in our community, and advising on good practice management of
volunteer-involving programmes is one way in which we
can assist.
We are also here to help find volunteers for your organisation, let us know what jobs you have available an we
will do our best to help.
If you would like to volunteer in the community but you
are not sure where or what you want to do, come in and
see us, we can help find the right position for you.
Volunteer Coordinators Support Group, Thursday , 6th
August, 1.30 PB Caf . This is a support network group
for local volunteer coordinators, providing the opportunity for information sharing, discussion and support.
Grant Writing Workshop, presented by Julie Condor,
20th August, 9.00-12.00 , Salvation Army Hall, please register if you wish to attend.
Our AGM is 21st September , 12.30 , Red Cross Hall.
Understanding and Engaging 21st Century Volunteers
and the Philosophy of Volunteering Workshop, 19th
October , 10.30 to 3.00, $100, please register if you wish
to attend.

What you do for yourself alone dies with

you. What you do for others and the world
remains and is immortal.
Albert Pike.

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2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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Core Functions of a Volunteer Centre

Raise the profile and promote volunteering

Facilitate community connections
Provide information, advice and support on volunteering
Work with volunteering organisations to develop volunteering opportunities
Promote and advocate for the interests of volunteers
Work with organisations to develop volunteer opportunities
Work with organisations to develop and maintain standards
Promote management of volunteers as a profession
Honour the Treaty of Waitangi

P O Box 105
GISBORNE 4040

Vol# Name

Address

City

Growing Vitality in a Volunteering Community...

In the words of Dr Seuss, A persons a person, no matter how small, so in keeping with these words , it
is good to remember that a volunteer is a volunteer, no matter how small( Erick C. Lear)

Please let us know .

If your details have changed.

If you have changed your address,

If you dont want to continue receiving our news letter:

Phone 8684522 or
Email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz
Thank you,

Happy Volunteering!

E noho r

2nd level, 74 Grey St, Gisborne, Ph 8684522, email: info@gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz website: gisbornevolunteercentre.org.nz

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