Volunteering Queensland’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is designed to expand your knowledge and maintain a high standard of professional practice.
It is endorsed by Volunteering Australia.
Benefits of participating
Volunteer managers, want to put PLV (Professional Leader of Volunteers) after your name as a public declaration of your commitment to your career and to the volunteer leadership profession? Our CPD Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is a formal avenue to improving your knowledge and skills, which will raise your profile and demonstrate your dedication.
This program supports your continuing professional development by formally recognising the work you are doing to raise the standards of volunteer leadership in your organisation and across our state.
How it works
Participants are required to accumulate a minimum of 16 points from January – December. These points can be attained through any combination of:
- conferences, workshops and training sessions related to volunteer management
- professional development at your organisation
- reading relevant industry articles / newsletters
- participation in special interest groups and committees
- networking
- mentoring colleagues in volunteer management, and
- reflective practice.
Choose your own adventure…
- We will send you the CPD Activity Point Schedule to assist with your planning of activities.
- You plan and undertake your chosen activities and complete the activity validation form.
- You submit the validation form to Volunteering Queensland three times per year (to be finalised at the end of the year).
- Once you achieve 16 CPD points, you receive a formal certificate and the option to use PLV after your name.
Our CPD program runs January – December, find out more today.
Take the next step in your career.
Expression of interestNext steps…
Enrolments for 2024 are now closed. If you would like to express interest in enrolling for 2025, please complete the expression of interest form below and we’ll contact you later this year to start the process.
FAQs
CPD is an acronym for continuing professional development. CPD is the practice of maintaining and developing the skills and knowledge required in your current job role, sector and beyond.
CPD points can be achieved through a range of methods. These include learning on the job, reading relevant articles, attending and/or participating in events, joining industry committees and groups, as well as formal training.
No, it is not mandatory to participate in the CPD program. It is a choice you make to participate for your professional development.
No, in 2025, the CPD Program is an exclusive member benefit.
When points are allocated for each activity, consideration is given to the following:
- time spent.
- complexity/ depth of learning.
- engagement in learning/ interactivity.
- contribution to the volunteering sector.
- how closely linked to volunteering an activity is.
To be eligible to receive a certificate of completion and the PLV post nominal, a minimum of 16 CPD points need to be achieved between January – December in any calendar year.
CPD participants can begin at any time during the year, however the full 16 CPD points must be attained within that year to gain and maintain the CPD status.
- Webinars/ workshops/ masterclasses – attendance
- Qualifications – Certificate IV in Coordination of volunteer programs
- State Conference – presentation
- State Conference – attendance
- Volunteering Queensland newsletter – reading
- Volunteering Queensland newsletter – writing an article
- Reflective practice piece.
Yes. Volunteering Queensland encourages participants to participate in activities such as the ones listed below:
- Reading publications/ industry articles/ newsletters relevant to volunteering
- Workshops and conferences
- Networks – attending meetings
- Relevant certificates (e.g. community services)
Other – Other substantive work undertaken to advance volunteering within your organisation such as:
- Increasing the budget of your volunteer program
- Resolving structural conflict in your organisation involving volunteers
- Actively seeking input and feedback from the community and/ or partner organisations into plans and potential collaborations
- Other innovations to your volunteer program.
Participants who achieve a minimum of 16 CPD points between January – December, receive a certificate of completion and the right to put the post-nominal PLV (Professional Leader of Volunteers) after their name. In addition, participating in the CPD program is a great way to improve your knowledge, skills, and future employability.
CPD participants are required to complete an Activity Validation Form, including reflections on activities undertaken. This form must be submited to Volunteering Queensland three times per year and finalised at the end of the year, and must be signed off by the participant’s supervisor.
The points schedule will be provided. This is a formal template that enables Volunteering Queensland to confirm the points claimed are eligible for CPD. It also provides participants with an opportunity to reflect on what they learnt from completing the activity. The Activity Validation Form and reflective report will ask for some notes as to what you have achieved.
On an annual basis, Volunteering Queensland will conduct audits on selected CPD participants to ensure the activities and points being claimed are eligible and within the program. If required, participants will need to allow a representative of Volunteering Queensland to check on their Activity Validation Forms.
If required, proof of attendance and participation may be requested. This will be validated through the training partner if necessary. Your explanatory notes assist Volunteering Queensland with this process.
There is an administration fee to join the Volunteering Queensland CPD program. In 2024, this fee is $50+GST. 2025 fees will be published soon.
Some activities are already free, while other activities may have an associated cost.
