Mobilising communities of volunteers

September 2009

‘Communities of Volunteers’ is a concept developed by Volunteering Qld to address the current trends and issues that are affecting voluntary participation and volunteer action in local communities. Its focus is on strengthening communities through innovative volunteer models, sharing resources and the use of technology to coordinate and mobilise local volunteers across agencies and all sectors of the community, including immediate response to natural disasters and threats.

New models for community solutions

September 2009

In recent years, volunteering has subtly, but certainly, undergone a significant transformation. To many across the community and government, this change has gone largely unrecognised. New models of volunteering are emerging at a time when recruitment to traditional volunteering is in decline. These new models reflect individual and community energy and passion for involvement in worthwhile causes and activities. They are affected by changing community perceptions, demographics, expectations and priorities.

Volunteering as social inclusion

September 2009

One of the key social issues for Australia at the present time is seriously addressing disadvantage, deprivation and poverty. There is a clear trend towards a multi-focussed approach to a social inclusion by researchers and politicians.

Social inclusion can be defined as the extent to which individuals, families and communities are connected to, and able to fully participate in, the economic and social activities of the broader community.

Working with project volunteers

September 2009

Project volunteering has become an important way of contributing to community organisations. Busy people who are seeking to volunteer require structured, flexible, time effective and rewarding volunteer opportunities where maximum outcomes can be achieved in minimum time frames. By tailoring community and organisational needs into projects, we can work to entice skilled, experienced and motivated volunteers into our vision.