NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 8-14 MAY 2017 Resource Guide Volunteer to Give Happy, Live Happy: VOLUNTEERINGQLD.ORG.AU/NVW #GiveHappyLiveHappy
What is National Volunteer Week? Established in 1989, National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our community and to say thank you to all Australians who volunteer. When is NVW? 8-14 May 2017 What is this year s theme? The theme for NVW 2017 is Give Happy, Live Happy. More than 6 million Australian volunteers give happiness to others each year. Not only are volunteers helping make the lives of everyone around them happier, they too are happier as a result. Research tells us that just a few hours of volunteer work makes a difference in people s happiness. It s proven that volunteers are happier, healthier and even sleep better than those who don t volunteer. Who s involved in NVW? NVW is managed nationally by Volunteering Australia and supported by the state and territory volunteering bodies and volunteer resource centres across the nation. We encourage all volunteers, volunteer managers, community leaders, not-for-profits, community groups, businesses, academia and government to take part in the celebrations. What s covered in this Resource Guide? This guide covers where you can find all the resources you need to get involved in NVW, ideas for events and activities to recognise your volunteers and tips for maximising social media and traditional media coverage of your volunteers and program.
Be sure to visit the Give Happy, Live Happy website The Give Happy, Live Happy website will help you celebrate the vital efforts of your volunteers during NVW at volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw The website features resources for individuals and organisations including posters, invitations and certificates, all aimed at acknowledging the hard work of volunteers. The website also features an events calendar, fun facts, a media centre, NVW merchandise and the ability to nominate for the Queensland Volunteering Awards. Selection of resources Download these resources at volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw/resources Certificates Posters Facts Frames / Signs Invitations
Key messages National Volunteer Week is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our community and to say thank you to all Queenslanders who volunteer. Research tells us that just a few hours of volunteer work makes a difference in people s happiness. It s proven that volunteers are happier, healthier and even sleep better than those who don t volunteer. Get involved in National Volunteer Week at volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw Search volunteer roles at volunteeringqld.org.au Fun facts Help us spread the word about the happiness and health benefits of volunteering: Sustained volunteering is associated with better mental health Altruistic emotions and behaviours are associated with greater well-being, health, and longevity A strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health and longevity of people who are emotionally kind & compassionate in their charitable helping activities The experience of helping others provides meaning, a sense of selfworth, a social role & health enhancement Volunteering is highly associated with greater health and happiness
Logo & theme Download the logo and theme tagline at volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw/resources You are welcome to include these on any of your NVW materials, such as event invitations, certificates, letters, programs or t-shirts. Colour palette You may wish to match your NVW activities materials with our colour scheme: C: 0 M: 60 Y: 100 K: 0 R: 246 G: 139 B: 31 C: 12 M: 100 Y: 37 K: 1 R: 229 G: 6 B: 112 C: 28 M: 1 Y: 100 K: 0 R: 194 G: 217 B: 65 C: 57 M: 0 Y: 6 K: 0 R: 87 G: 200 B: 230 C: 73 M: 0 Y: 37 K: 0 R: 0 G: 184 B: 186 C: 89 M: 100 Y: 2 K: 2 R: 65 G: 51 B: 148 C: 23 M: 50 Y: 0 K: 0 R: 177 G: 137 B: 190 C: 1 M: 18 Y: 99 K: 0 R: 255 G: 216 B: 0 C: 0 M: 90 Y: 85 K: 0 R: 240 G: 62 B: 86 C: 0 M: 0 Y: 0 K: 80 R: 88 G: 89 B: 91
Event & activity ideas There are many ways to celebrate NVW. Here are just some ideas on how you can acknowledge the great work of your dedicated volunteers this 8-14 May. Whichever event you choose, the most important element is on understanding and recognition of their meaningful impact, and sharing of how much the experience of volunteering means to them. Budget available: Hold a special thank you or social function in their honour. This may be a morning tea with stories shared by recipients of services, or it could be a relaxed BBQ, a breakfast, a high tea or a formal gala dinner. You could even host a fun event such as a scavenger hunt, trivia night, or games day. Have your patron, ambassador, board members or others in the organisation who volunteers might not usually interact with attend. Take photos of volunteers in action, imprint the photos into a thank you message and frame them then give them to each volunteer as a personalised token of appreciation. Give your volunteers a gift such as movie tickets, bookmarks, individualised buttons or pins, something that is relevant to your cause and thoughtful. Recognise long-term volunteers with service awards: a plaque or trophy. Have volunteers attend professional development training, workshops or seminars. Why not ask your volunteers for ideas on topics they would like to learn and reward them through educational opportunities. Provide organisational goodies hats, shirts, pins, magnets, water bottles, etc.
Event & activity ideas Limited budget: Volunteering makes people happy. Make a list of all the ways volunteers make your organisation happy and read it out to them during NVW or have it on display prominently. You may like to incorporate the NVW smiles into your display. Present volunteers with a NVW certificate to commemorate their involvement. Seek sponsorship or donations. Arrange NVW special discounts for your volunteers at local shops. Organise an outing at a zoo, amusement park, sporting or cultural event, where volunteers get in for free. Source gift certificates to movies, restaurants, etc. Create a photo collage or slide show of volunteer activities to educate all areas of your organisation on the impact of volunteers. Recognise volunteers on local radio, television stations or newspapers. See our media outreach section for tips. Feature volunteer stories, their roles, and/or their accomplishments in newsletters, blogs and social media. You could post a simple thank you during NVW, profile volunteers each day of the week, or even create a short video showcasing your volunteer program (don t worry if you don t have fancy filming equipment, someone in your organisation is sure to have a smartphone that records video). Ask volunteers to help you create this content. Read our social media section for more ideas. Utilise NVW as a recruitment drive by having a stall at your local shopping centre or by hosting an open day where visitors (and potential volunteers) can come and learn about the work of your organisation and have a short taster for what it s like to volunteer there. Give a pat on the back: Trace your hand on plain paper and cut out. Write, Here s a pat on the back for (name). It s National Volunteer Week! Thank you for all your hard work! Invite staff or anyone else that has contact with volunteers to make one in recognition of the service of particular volunteers. Hang them all together for visual impact. Share volunteering facts and figures that demonstrate how your volunteers fit into the bigger picture of being one of many kind people helping improve our state s well-being and the lives of Queenslanders.
Speed Networking A speed networking event could be a great opportunity for you to work together with other volunteer-involving organisations in your community while you promote your cause to potential volunteers. This could also offer your existing volunteers the chance to find out how they can support other local community groups while gaining themselves extra valuable experience. Here are some considerations for organising a speed networking event: Variety - Ensure the involvement of a good variety of volunteer programs and nonprofits who cover the interests of people from many different backgrounds. Venue - Pick an event venue large enough to hold your audience. There needs to be adequate space for moving and networking between volunteers and organisations. Interaction - Encourage timed interactions that ensure as many people as possible have the opportunity to network. Encourage follow-ups between interested volunteers and causes to help them make an informed decision and get started in a meaningful, impactful role. Sharing is caring - Build connections with other community based organisations by sharing volunteers, resources, ideas and experiences. Movie Night Just like volunteering, movies can bring people together, inspire, encourage empathy and social fulfilment. Here are some considerations for organising a movie night: Pick a theme You may like to have a free screening of a feel good community movie, or you could choose a popular title and run a fundraiser for your cause. Or pick something your volunteers love. Venue Pick an appealing venue that will engage your audience. If the venue is outdoors, ensure you have a contingency plan for if there is bad weather. Space Ensure there is enough space and the audience can see and hear the movie comfortably. The screen needs to be seen by the people farthest away so there should be no obstacles (pillars, trees, etc.) in the line of sight. Also consider if external factors (weather, noise, etc.) will affect the viewing. Acoustics can sometimes be challenging, so it s a good idea to do a test run. Safety Ensure adequate security, support staff and first aid resources. Promote your cause Have available collateral for potential volunteers to take away such as contact details and information with a clear pathway for how they can get involved and support your work.
Organise a Games Day Put on a day of fun and games to say thank you to volunteers. A games day will commemorate the achievements of volunteers, and may also entice others to join in the festivities which could encourage them to also volunteer with your cause. Here s some considerations for organising a games day in conjunction with NVW. Location A games day should have a good central location that would attract outsiders to the event as well. This encourages a larger turnout and would be an ideal platform for potential volunteers to interact with your organisations or group. Tokens Try to include a suitable memento to mark the occasion (medal, ribbon, award, certificate, gift) for the volunteers. Publicity Although its primary purpose is the celebration of volunteer contributions, a games day is also an excellent opportunity to publicise volunteering opportunities and its benefits to the community at large. Programme Activities for a games day should be aimed at all ages and abilities. This would encourage participation from a wide range of volunteers and potential volunteers. For more tips please view our Volunteer Community Games Manual. Plan a Recognition Ceremony A simple and effective way to recognise the contribution of volunteers in the community or in your organisation is to hold a recognition ceremony in their honour. This show of gratitude not only highlights the importance of volunteers to the cause that they help out, but also reaffirms their status as an asset in the social fabric of society. A recognition ceremony can range from a simple team meeting to an elaborate gala event. We have put together some fundamentals for holding a recognition ceremony regardless of its nature. Awardees They are the VIPs for the day and every effort should be made to ensure their attendance. Basic courtesies, such as spelling and pronouncing their names correctly, should not be underestimated and every action should hint at their value. Tokens Give awardees a suitable memento to mark the occasion (award, certificate, gift). NVW merchandise makes a great token of appreciation, order at volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw/order. Refreshments Depending on the scale of the ceremony, refreshments can vary from simple finger foods to main courses. Location Even for an internal event, the location chosen can greatly impact the atmosphere. Let us know what you have planned Check out our events calendar to see what others have in store for the big week. Whether you re hosting a morning tea, a local awards program or a group outing - we want to know about it and publicise it! Please take a few minutes to register your event to the calendar.
Everyday volunteer recognition ideas Here are some ways you can thank volunteers for their vital work during NVW and all year round. Let s start with some easy, everyday ways: Enquire about your volunteers life outside of volunteering, including their partners, kids or pets, their studies, hobbies or other work and ask about how they are from week to week Have them join you for coffee or lunch regularly Offer water/juice/coffee/tea, snacks and fruits Offer public transport ticket reimbursement Send thank you messages out to all team members recounting achievements or fun stories Send postcards or thank you cards to volunteers after they accomplish a project Send your volunteers a birthday card Post pictures of volunteers on your organisation s bulletin board or social media Let volunteers put their names on work they have helped to produce. Some more involved, intermediate recognition ideas: Nominate a volunteer Star of the Month award them with a certificate, letter, or small gift Sponsor happy hours and social events to encourage volunteers to meet each other Take time to stop, reflect and celebrate major accomplishments meaningfully Recognise anniversaries within your organisation Ask volunteers to give presentations and lead or attend meetings Offer new opportunities or additional responsibilities to existing volunteers, such as the opportunity to serve in a new role, as project leaders or committee members, most people like a bit of a change now and then Write recommendations for scholarships or employment Recognise volunteers regularly at staff meetings or on the bulletin boards in your office Support events that mean something to your volunteers. For example, if you have volunteers from a local college, set up a booth at the school s service fair and highlight the student volunteers as an example of the great things people can do through your organisation. Some large-scale, long-term means of recognition: Enable volunteers to grow on the job. Think about what your volunteers do and then what they could do, you might be amazed at what other impactful roles you can offer Give your volunteers the opportunity to design their work and name their position title Enlist them in training staff and other volunteers Involve them in your annual planning process and the strategic direction of your organisation Foster a positive organisational culture and climate in which volunteers can feel motivated Follow the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement for best practice Regularly update your board on the contribution volunteers make in achieving your mission, not just in hours worked but in significant meaningful community outcomes
A few tips to remember about recognition Ensure volunteers contributions are recognised, valued and accounted for Be sure to tell volunteers specifically why or how their service has made a difference Give it frequently, consistently, and in a timely manner Use a variety of methods, both formal and informal Consider different approaches that will be meaningful for different personalities Recognise the person, the work and the impact Explain how their work fits into the bigger picture and contributes to your mission Give it appropriately to the achievement Volunteer letter of recognition template Date Name Address City, State, Postcode Dear (first name), On behalf of (your organisation s name) board and team members, I would like to personally thank you for your contribution of time and energy/ as a (insert particular volunteer role) to/ for (event name / program name). This event/ program was a fantastic success achieving (add key achievement) because of your efforts and those of the many other volunteers who are/ were involved. (Use next paragraph/s to cover specific accomplishments of the volunteer such as time contributed or key outcomes. Alternatively, you could more broadly highlight the success of the event/ program the volunteer supported. Much of the qualitative and quantitative information you use for reporting is of interest to volunteers such as how many event attendees there were, or the number of people your program has helped. Volunteers would love to hear any significant and meaningful stories of clients assisted. You may like to add a line about welcoming their participation in future events and if there is a way for them to progress to leadership roles. You may also like to encourage them to stay up-to-date with the happenings of your organisation through your relevant channels. It might be nice to send the volunteer any photos you have of their work and with their team, or include a certificate or other token of appreciation). Once again, (organisation name) thanks you for your contribution. You have made a real difference! Sincerely, Name Title
Social media Social media is a simple and effective way to recognise your volunteers and the impact of volunteering. Get involved with the hashtags #GiveHappyLiveHappy and #NVW2017. Facebook Visit our Facebook page facebook.com/volunteeringqld and like us. Post messages of thanks, appreciation and support for volunteers on your Facebook page! Feature your top volunteers. Add their photos and an inspiring story of their great work. Post pictures, videos and stories on your own experience as a volunteer, a volunteer manager, or info about a volunteer program you re involved in. Tag us so we can share your story. Get some happy snaps with the NVW smiles - we can t wait to see your smiling faces! Create a public Facebook event so you can let people know about your NVW plans. Add your sponsors and friends so it can be shared on their timelines, and help spread the word. Remember to follow up with photos from your NVW events and tag your volunteers. Mention us in any posts you make for NVW and we will be sure to like, share and comment. Twitter Tweet your message of thanks to all the inspiring Queenslanders who volunteer! Find us on Twitter twitter.com/volunteeringqld and follow us. Read our daily NVW tweets and retweet them, share your responses, views and experiences. Let your Twitter followers know about any celebrations you have planned. You might like to tweet your events and activities live as they re happening. Share the link to this NVW Resource Guide volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw/resourceguide and encourage others to get involved in recognising volunteering. Instagram Search for us on Instagram @VolunteeringQld and follow us. Post photos of your volunteers on your account and add a caption about who they are and what they do for your organisation. Take photos on the day of any of your celebrations and share them too. Some hashtag suggestions to ensure your posts reach more people: #NVW2017, #GiveHappyLiveHappy #volunteersofqld, #makeadifference, #volunteering. YouTube Record a video covering why NVW is important to your organisation and your volunteers and what you re doing to celebrate. Record a video interview with your volunteers covering their motivations and what they like about volunteering. Explain how your volunteer program contributes to achieving your mission and advancing your cause. This video will demonstrate the value of volunteering at your organisation and be a useful tool to encourage new volunteers to join your program. Send us a link to your video as we would love to watch and share! #GiveHappyLiveHappy #NVW2017
Blogging Why not put together a blog post about NVW. Possible subjects could include: Why NVW is important to your organisation and your volunteers What you ve achieved with the help of volunteers over the past year - In particular how they have supported the strategic direction of your organisation What makes your volunteer program impactful, inclusive, transformative, flexible and meaningful The personal stories of the volunteers who have made a difference in your organisation How you re planning on honouring your volunteers A profile on someone you re recognising at this year s NVW Post-event coverage of your NVW activities. Remember to add a mix of text, photos, videos and quotes to your blog post to make it engaging. Promote your blog post on all your social media channels. Send us a link to your blog as we would love to read and share. Write a guest blog that we can post on the Volunteering Queensland website! Get creative! Design your own fun Give Happy Live Happy images over on Volunteering Australia s website. It s all about building your own smiley with your choice of colour, eyes, mouth and text. The power is in your hands, so show your support for volunteering by using this creative widget and sharing the result on social media. The more people volunteer, the happier Australia becomes! Take photos Remember to take lots of photos of your volunteers during the week and share them with us here at Volunteering Queensland. Email photos to: media@volunteeringqld.org.au Share with us on social media: Facebook facebook.com/volunteeringqld Twitter @VolunteeringQld Instagram @VolunteeringQld Tag #GiveHappyLiveHappy OR #NVW2017
Media outreach tips Approach local and community media to recognise your volunteers and volunteer program: Contact your local TV stations, community newspapers or regional radio stations and let them know about your plans for NVW. By calling the main switchboard of any news outlet, you can ask to be directed to the news desk or relevant journalist covering nonprofit and volunteer stories. If they are unavailable then ask for phone numbers and email addresses. Online publications and blogs are also a good way to get your volunteering message out there. Use Google to help you track down a list of suitable publications. When suggesting a story to a journalist or blogger, make sure you mention that you are from a particular organisation and tell them what makes your story unique and meaningful to their audience. Write a press release and send this via email along with some good quality photographs to support your story. Your press release should be around 400 words. Include a catchy headline in your email subject line (and in the press release) that summarises what your story is about. Limit the headline to 140 characters. Cover the who, what, when, where and why. Head and shoulders photographs of people or action shots add to your story and make it more appealing to journalists. Where possible, something quirky and creative is usually a hit. Contact your sponsors and affiiliate organisations to see whether you can work together to produce joint press releases and media materials. They may have an additional list of press contacts that you can use. Please send any NVW media releases you produce to media@volunteeringqld.org.au
Merchandise Purchase NVW merchandise to say thank you to volunteers for their fantastic effort. There is a great range to choose from. NVW merchandise can be viewed online: volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw/order Any questions? If you have any questions regarding NVW please contact Volunteering Queensland: Phone: (07) 3002 7617 Email: events@volunteeringqld.org.au Website: volunteeringqld.org.au/nvw Social media: @VolunteeringQld About Volunteering Queensland Volunteering Queensland is the state peak body solely dedicated to advancing volunteering for the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of Queensland. To achieve our vision we work across three strategic focus areas: Enable volunteer-involving organisations to maximise volunteer contribution Inspire more Queenslanders to volunteer Increase the impact of the volunteering sector Our work is vital to ensuring volunteer-involving organisations can engage, manage and retain the strong, effective volunteer workforce necessary to advance their mission and cause. We support volunteer participation that is inclusive, transformative, flexible and meaningful. We inform policy, good practice, research and development, regulation and decision-making that supports the sustainability and advancement of volunteering. We actively campaign that investing in volunteering is fundamental to the continued prosperity of Queensland. The volunteering industry is a vital force that fuels the economy, connects and enriches the lives of Queenslanders, builds social and cultural value, and protects the environment. To support the whole of Queensland, we harness the power of strategic partnerships and strive to engage the state-wide volunteer network. We ground our efforts in inclusive practices and principles based on service, experience, evidence, transparency, accountability, consultation and continuous improvement.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 8-14 MAY 2017 VOLUNTEERINGQLD.ORG.AU/NVW