Responses
to December 2005 Hot Topic
Reflections
on an Australian visit
By
guest hot topic writer
Fraser Dyer
Response
posted on December 13, 2005 by Sue Jones, Training
Project Manager, Volunteer Centre, WARRINGTON, United
Kingdom
Hello all,
I
am a UK VPM who is an avid reader of your Hot Topics,
but this is my first post (first of many, I hope),
as I was encouraged to write something following my
attendance at the UK's CSV conference in Coventry
this November. I had the privilege of meeting Andy
for the second time and I would like to say how fortunate
you are to have OZvpm as a resource to tap into and
to contribute to.
I
have to say that I completely agree with Fraser Dyer's
observations about developing relationships and flexibility
within our volunteer programmes and our tendency in
the UK to become buried in the processes and the paperwork,
simply because it's there! For me, its about remembering
the reason why you became involved in working with
volunteers in the first place, although I know lots
of Volunteer Managers who will say that the systems
or the structures no longer allow them to capture
the spirit of volunteering any more. To overcome this,
I believe we need to make decisions which are maybe
perceived as being bold or brave. But really, being
bold or brave is just about being creative - a phrase
much used, I know, but maybe that's because it's much
needed! From what Fraser has to say, and from listening
to some of examples from Australia which are brought
to life during Andy's sessions, it really does seem
that you are managing to maintain the right balance.
For
those of you who have attended the 'magnet tour',
I would be very interested to read your views and
how the session has helped you further develop your
programmes, as I am hoping to welcome Andy and Fraser
to our local area in the UK's northwest sometime next
year. Indeed, finding out what others are thinking
(and feeling) about how they work with volunteers
always highlights to me the importance of networking
- (both informally and formally, both locally and
globally), and how important it is to make use of
the resources available.
As
part of my work, I also provide training and support
to Volunteer Managers and I find that it's often following
a training session or a network meet that we feel
our most inspired and most able to carry out our roles
better. Sometimes, this is simply because we have
been provided with the opportunity to express how
we feel about what we are doing, or we have listened
to what a colleague thinks, or we have gained some
ideas. But I always think we underestimate the value
of doing exactly that.
So,
make the most of having an opportunity to have a voice
and share your views and suggestions through this
forum. What you may view as your scrambled thoughts,
maybe just the thing to resonate with someone and
inspire a colleague who happens to be reading.........
Response
posted on December 9, 2005 by Be Potter, Volunteer
Services Leader, Carers NT, DARWIN, NT, Australia
Hi
all,
I
came down from Darwin to Adelaide to attend the 'Magnet'
seminars and I have to say that it was one of the
most innovative, creative and fun seminars I've attended.
Martin
and Andy set things up beautifully for Fraser to run
with and he was a delight. I came back to Darwin feeling
reinvigorated. I set goals whilst there and have achieved
them since returning. Working in relative isolation
can be quite dreary and uninspiring so to have that
wonderful positive input was great. It's been terrific
following the' tour' as well.
Its
not too late...
Let's
hear what you think!
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