Trainingandsupportarchieve

Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of volunteer centres and national organisations with a strong commitment to volunteering.

Its mission is to create an environment that supports, promotes, values and encourages effective volunteering by the people of Aotearoa New Zealand. The vision is to be recognised as the national voice of volunteering and volunteers in this country. This is a different role from that of other organisations which speak on behalf of not-for-profit or voluntary organisations.

VNZ was established in August 2001 during the International Year of the Volunteer. The establishment, however, of such a national body had been a long time in the making.

The regional volunteer centres and some national organisations had lobbied for many years for the establishment of a national body to represent, promote and support volunteering. The final impetus came from recommendations of the Ministerial Reference Group for the International Year of the Volunteer when the Government accepted its recommendation to provide funding support which enabled Volunteering New Zealand to be formed.

Raising both an individual and collective interest in the value of volunteering and to create a well informed public.
Communicating and working with Government, other organisations and individuals about issues related to volunteering.
Providing and/or promoting services such as educational programmes and volunteer recruitment through organised groups including regional volunteer centres, other national and regional organisations and government agencies.
Undertake and/or promote research and the publication and dissemination of material relevant to the development of volunteering.
To participate in any other activities which are considered practicable and desirable in reaching the objects outlined above.
To represent New Zealand volunteering internationally.

The current membership of VNZ includes nine regional volunteer centres and over 50 national organisations which involve volunteers in their services and have a strong commitment to volunteering. They cover emergency services, health, welfare, education, sport and recreation, conservation, special interests and advocacy.

Some of the ongoing activities which VNZ undertakes to promote volunteering and benefit members include:

The provision of information, resource material and links through its website, www.volunteeringnz.org.nz. The material includes a Code of Practice for volunteers and another Code for organisations who involve volunteers in their activities
The promotion of opportunities for individuals to undertake volunteering through the website: www.volunteernow.org.nz. This is managed in conjunction with the nine member volunteer centres and lists the volunteer positions the centres have listed as well as positions being offered by national organisations which are members of VNZ.
A monthly newsletter, VNZ Update, which is distributed electronically, which provides current news relating to volunteering, updates on VNZ activities, articles on volunteering good practice and management etc
Co-ordination of publicity programmes for two major annual events – International Volunteer Day, held on 5 December and Volunteer Awareness Week, held in March each year. Resource material such as publicity toolkits are produced, with priority for receipt of these resources being given to VNZ members
Representation and advocacy to Government and other agencies on matters which impact on volunteers and volunteering. For example, VNZ made submissions on the initial legislation being considered by Parliament for the establishment of the Charities Commission and makes follow up representations to the Commission on its activities as they affect volunteers
The organisation of national education/training events including seminars by high level overseas educators in volunteer recruitment, training and management
The promotion and support of research on volunteering.

Working to achieve the aims of Volunteering New Zealand are two staff and a voluntary board of eight.