| September
16th – 18th , 2008
ASIA
PACIFIC CONFERENCE ON VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP (HONOLULU,
HAWAII)
This
first ever Asia Pacific Volunteer Management conference
was an exciting one for OzVPM, because along with
the Volunteer Resource Centre of Hawaii and Nurse
Maude Association in New Zealand we were one of the
three co-hosts and sponsors of this event! The conference
was the brainchild of Mary Matayoshi, the CEO of the
Hawaii Volunteer Resource Centre, who has been a great
inspiration in turning the conference idea into a
reality.
The
conference was unique for three reasons:
•
It had an Asia Pacific focus
•
It included four distinct ‘streams’ of study
•
It utilised personal ‘reflection pool’ sessions
to compliment the many workshops on offer
The
four streams that delegates could choose from were:
•
Volunteer Management
•
Disaster relief and recovery
•
Six billion paths to peace
•
Opportunities for active aging
Keynote
speakers and workshop trainers in the volunteer management
stream included Susan Ellis (USA), Martin J Cowling
(Australia), Sue Kobar (NZ), Linda Graff (Canada),
Betty Stallings and myself. Other streams included
speakers from countries such as Thailand, Japan, Korea
and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Participants
from more than a dozen countries were present at the
conference
Andy with Fumiko Mega, President
of the Japanese Volunteer Coordinator's Association
Day
one was unique as it also encompassed the Hawaii Gerontological
Society’s 15 th biennial conference, meaning that
more than 500 people attended the opening session.
As one of the co-sponsors, it was an amazing experience
and a great honour to be able to take the stage and
welcome that number of people to the conference.
Hawaiian
Ramsey Taum conducted the first message of the day,
encouraging delegates to embrace the spirit of Aloha
and to understand how as people of the world we are
all connected – and that volunteerism is one of the
key ways that connection occurs.
Susan
Ellis then presented a keynote speech in which she
challenged all delegates to think more deeply about
the philosophies and values of volunteer management
and encouraged the cross pollination of thought of
our diverse range of delegates.
Later
all delegates were split into groups of 10. This group
then met outside of workshops several times throughout
the conference and proved to be a very powerful and
valuable addition the conference agenda.
Other
highlights on day one also included a performance
of Taiko drumming and an amazing exhibit area where
many agencies were able to inexpensively display their
agencies and resources. The day ended with a casual
‘Aloha’ welcome reception on the rooftop of the convention
centre.
with Susan J Ellis and Mary Matayoshi
Day
two began with a special affinity breakfast for those
working in hospitals and the healthcare profession.
Susan Ellis was again the main speaker but myself
and Sue Kobar were also invited to share perspectives
from Australia and NZ. Later in the day, a panel presentation
by Japanese and Korean colleagues gave great insights
into some of the key issues facing many Asian nations
in regards to the Asian aging ‘tsunami’
Day
three focused on disaster readiness and recovery,
and again the exhibit hall was full of many new and
different exhibits from the emergency services arena.
A panel discussed many issues to do with disaster
response including topics such as how to effectively
engage spontaneous volunteers.
After
more successful workshops, the day ended with a moving
candle lighting ceremony performed by some of the
guests from Thailand.
Having
attended many conferences over the last two decades,
this conference for me was one of the better ones
I have been too. There was a high level of debate
and the fact that there was representation from so
many countries made the experience even more valuable.
One delegate from Arkansas told me it was the best
conference she had been to in 25 years while I over
heard a number of others saying it was the best conference
they had ever been too. The evaluations we have compiled
to date certainly confirm that sentiment.
One
disappointment was the small number of Australians
(3 of which one lived in Honolulu) and New Zealanders
(2) who were present. This in spite of the fact that
it was probably a cheaper option that the recent Volunteering
Australia conference (the Hawaii conference was only
$US200)
However,
there are already early discussions about the possibility
of hosting another conference in a few years time
…so watch this space!
Most of the Aussie and Kiwi contingent
(Ann Hosdon, Andy Fryar, SUe Kobar, Martin J Cowling)
|
IAVM is hosted by Community
Service Volunteers each year
With Sandy Bergeron and Melissa Eystadt
With the team at the Minnesota Childrens Hospital
At the MAVA workshop
