NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Would you like to welcome First Nations volunteers into your team? This July, let’s embrace First Nations culture and learn how to make volunteering a welcoming experience for everyone involved.
We have created a page of resources on engaging First Nations volunteers. Can’t tackle it all right now? No problem. Just bookmark it for later and check out these helpful tips:
- Connection and community are strong values among First Nations people. To welcome First Nations volunteers, our “Building mutually beneficial partnerships” guide will help you connect with those values and foster genuine relationships.
- Has your organisation developed a reconciliation action plan? Potential First Nations volunteers may look for this as a sign of cultural safety. Download our tip sheet to learn more about engaging First Nations volunteers.
- Safe and supportive environments for volunteers go beyond work, health & safety. It extends to cultural safety for all. Get a better understanding of what this means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Flexibility is increasingly important to volunteers. This is especially true for First Nations people with family and community responsibilities. Read our “Kinship and Connectedness” guide to better understand cultural customs like Sorry Business.
Get involved in local events during NAIDOC Week and educate your team about First Nations histories and cultures. Head over to www.naidoc.org.au to find out what’s happening and join in the celebration!
“Without volunteers, we don’t operate”
“Without volunteers, we don’t operate”, says Graham Toomey, CEO of Gunnawirra, an organisation that provides vital community services. Volunteers are the lifeblood of organisations like Gunnawirra, and they make a huge difference. Check out this video where Graham shares their success story.