Be inspired, meet volunteers from other organisations and enjoy a great day of express workshops for personal and professional development in August.

Volunteering Australia and Volunteering Queensland welcome the news delivered by the Department of Social Services that funding for the Volunteer Management Program will be reinstated, following our Tower of Strength campaign.

Volunteering Australia and Volunteering Queensland are alarmed to learn of the allegations of sexual misconduct and bullying against former volunteers in the ACT Greens during the federal and local election campaigns last year.

The national, state and territory volunteering peak bodies are concerned at the lack of consistency and clarity around volunteer rights more broadly across the country. These allegations reinforce the need for robust mechanisms to be established to enshrine and protect the rights of volunteers in the workplace.

Volunteering Australia's position paper outlines the Commission’s views on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Costs study. The purpose of the position paper is to seek feedback on the Commission’s preliminary conclusions and draft recommendations, and on any additional issues that should be considered before the public release of the completed study in September 2017.

Volunteering Queensland's 2017 State Volunteering Conference was a resounding success, enabling volunteer-involving organisations to advance their cause, inspiring programs and people, and increasing overall knowledge and understanding of the volunteering industry.

On 8 and 9 June 2017, over 80 delegates from across Queensland came together for the inaugural State Volunteering Conference. The delegates were presented with a wealth of information, strategic and practical advice, support and encouragement through engaging presentations by renowned experts, panel discussions, interactive workshops and networking opportunities that prompted conversation on the volunteering climate. Many of the conference presenters travelled far and wide, from interstate or overseas, to share their knowledge and insights to better the future of volunteering throughout Queensland and the wider Australian community.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our wonderful and inspiring dignitaries, delegates, presenters, panel members, facilitators, board, staff and volunteers who made the conference such a huge triumph. And, a big thank you to our conference sponsor Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.

The not-for-profit sector is being called on to respond to a new discussion paper exploring potential reforms to the Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) tax arrangements for charities.

The blue card system, a key preventative and monitoring network of individuals who work with children and young people in Queensland, is changing! The system aims to mitigate harm to children by contributing to the creation of safe and supportive environments and is founded on the principle that children have a fundamental right to be protected, while receiving services that are essential to their development.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.

The 2016 Census was released today, with data revealing that Australians are still engaged and committed to volunteering activities.

Volunteering Australia has issued a response to the Department of Social Services discussion paper on the NDIS Code of Conduct. This response provides background on the code for volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations and volunteering support services: the critical infrastructure for safe, effective and sustainable volunteering in Australia.