Responses
to January 2008 Hot Topic
Keeping
things fresh in a new year
Response
posted on January 13 by Angela Burford, Chicago, USA
I
was interested in reading your thoughts on thinking
of new ways to celebrate and show gratitude. I've
been examining this recently and it seems that many
of our volunteers are happy with more of the same.
Interesting. I personally like to push the boundaries
but so far it seems better to tinker around the edges.
So, I keep the main things like our annual recognition
lunch the same but add the spice with little surprises
such as entertainment, gifts, presentation etc. and
bits and pieces we do throughout the year. I do however
certainly take the point that it's important not to
take what we think works for granted - I'll think
and talk some more about that with the staff and volunteers.
It seems to me that coupled with useful, interesting,
fun work it's the small things that we do everyday
to show our respect and appreciation that are most
important.
Response
posted on January 10 by Michelle Hodshon, Volunteer
Services Coordinator, City of Salisbury, SA, Australia
Thanks
Andy for another thought provoking article. Yes, i'm
one of the Coordinators who fall into the category
of repeating celebrations; cards at International
Volunteer Day, dinner during National Volunteer Week....
I suppose I continue recognising volunteers this way
because it works for the majority, but you got me
thinking.... Our organisation is situated close to
a Cinema and maybe they would consider reducing their
ticket fee for 2 or 3 hundred volunteers - its mutually
beneficial... so maybe this year the volunteers might
celebrate differently! Thanks for the wake-up call!
Response
posted on January 5 by Glenn Burton, Senior Sergeant,
State Coordinator VIPs, Qld, Australia
I am the State
Coordinator of Volunteers in Policing (VIPs) for the
Queensland Police Service. This job was previously
done non-members of the Service. It was task that
I did not want to take on, but after learning more
and more about volunteers, it is a task that I now
relish.
I
have taken the ball and run so to speak, and have
done this since November 06.
07
was a challenging year for me and the Volunteers in
Policing Program. Gaining a suitable budget for training
and recruitment was a challenge too. When I took over
this position we had 201 volunteers in policing, there
are now 280 and the figure will be close to 320 by
the end of the financial year. I am excited about
this and proud of the fact that I have contributed
to this.
During
07, I conducted a Volunteers Forum, a first for the
QPS. This was held in Volunteers Weeks. It was huge
success. I attended the VIP Program Annual Conference
in Goulburn, NSW, and gained valuable knowledge and
networking. Throughout the state at my instigation
various district held BBQs or presented Certificates
to some of our VIPs.
We
do not have an AGM. But this year will be the inaugural
conference for VIPs, along with the Volunteers Forum,
they will be held in Volunteers Week.
There is a difference; the Volunteers Forum, consists
of all programs, who have volunteers, associated with
the QPS, e.g. PCYC, NHW, VIP's, Safety House, Victims
of Homicide, Community Supporting Police, Selection
Panel Community Members. All of the programs have
speakers and then we have an open forum and panel
at the end, with the Commissioner of Police opening.
I initiated this forum, feedback was that it was short
and when is the next one. The idea of the forum, was
for all to find out what each program was about and
networking.
The
VIP conference is for VIPs only with their supervisors.
As it is the first one, I looking forward to it.
We
will training some 30 more VIPs within the coming
three months.
Hopefully
all will come to plan.
Let's
hear what you think!
Return
to current month's Hot
Topic
Visit
this month’s ‘Hot
Topic’ on the Energize web site
The
contents of this Hot Topic are copyright © 2003
- 2008 OzVPM.
You may reproduce this Hot Topic in part or in full
on the condition that the author, source and website
address (www.ozvpm.com)
are quoted.
|
