The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the sun is shining down on us all.
Over the last year and a half Queenslanders have banded together and worked hard to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19, and to support the most vulnerable and in need in our community. We are currently in the fortunate position of having many of our restrictions lifted. While we can’t stress enough how important it is to remain vigilant and take care of one another by following all health directives, it is also an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate volunteering within your organisations.
Now is the time to re-engage with your volunteers. Perhaps you needed to suspend your volunteer program, or your volunteers, perhaps they were unable to help during government restrictions, or maybe it has just been a while since they offered a hand. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that your volunteers will be happy to hear from you.
Need some ideas for how to put some spring into your volunteers? We have many:
- Invite the volunteers to a garden morning tea, cater using local stores and services
- Send your volunteers a spring themed card inviting them to review your volunteer positions
- Host a volunteer ideas exchange to discuss how volunteering roles can be modified to suit the current, ever-changing environment
- Arrange discounts for your volunteers at local shops and service providers
- Send your volunteers your clear policy for COVID Safe volunteering to ensure they feel protected
- Have clients and staff write letters to volunteers about the impact they make
- Create a Facebook group exclusively for your volunteers where they can voice concerns, opinions and ask questions in a safe and open forum environment
- Call your volunteers by phone or video chat, just to touch base and say hello
- Refresh your volunteer roles to see if they can be more flexible – eg. shorter time commitments, shared roles
- Consider virtual roles for volunteers who may still be hesitant about returning in person
- Organise refresher training experiences for your volunteers, eg. review policies and procedures, diversity and inclusion training, Spring clean your volunteer program with input from your volunteers
- Organise an event (in person or virtual) for your volunteers to meet your organisations CEO/ Executive/ Board, to learn how your volunteers are valued and the difference they make to the achievement of your organisation’s purpose.
Over the next few months Volunteering Queensland will be focussing on reinvigorating volunteers. With reports of many charities needing extra help to meet demands, we are committed to connecting volunteers with rewarding volunteer roles. We will also be working to support volunteer-involving organisations to develop.
As such, we encourage all volunteer-involving organisations to list their volunteer vacancies on the on our website
To do this, please register with us as a member. Membership of Volunteering Queensland brings many benefits, including:
- Access to Volunteering Queensland’s networks, including associate membership with of our national peak body, Volunteering Australia.
- Opportunities to work with us, including input into our advocacy and policy work through consultations, surveys, forums, roundtables and partnerships.
Once registered, you can talk to us about driving a social media campaign to recruit more volunteers and promote urgent, unmet volunteer needs.
Volunteering Queensland is always here to offer advice and assistance when it comes to volunteer recruitment, management and workforce planning.
Contact details
07 3002 7600
reception@volunteeringqld.org.au