28 January 2009 

Media Release 

Volunteering will require greater infrastructure and resources to accommodate the 2020 Summit idea of a ‘Community Corps’ of volunteers, Volunteering Victoria Chief Executive Dianne Embry said.    

The CEO for the state peak body for volunteering welcomes increased participation amongst university students and views the idea as an excellent opportunity for volunteer-involving organisations and communities. However, she also emphasised the importance of ensuring that those supporting volunteering are well-equipped to deal with the possible influx of volunteers. 

“Enabling students to offset their university debts through volunteering can certainly be mutually beneficial to the students, as well as the organisations that they will be serving. Volunteering is a good means of broadening young people's skills and networks and because, as volunteers, they will not be replacing paid workers, their contributions can help strengthen communities.       

“This scheme, if finalised, has implications for those of us in the volunteering sector and we need to be well-prepared so that we can effectively meet all the needs and demands of managing a ‘Community Corps’ of volunteers,” Ms. Embry said. 

According to Ms. Embry, organisations and communities that have volunteers often face the issue of sourcing funding for running their programs.  

“Funding remains a major challenge for the volunteer and not-for-profit sector. The longevity of volunteers is another, as younger people tend to engage in ‘episodic’ or project-based volunteering. This constant movement amongst volunteers within organisations affects the way we assess our resource needs, our capabilities and the overall planning of our programs for the medium to long-term. Volunteer-involving organisations are learning how to adapt to the different ways that people want to volunteer but this needs to be well-managed for continuity of programs and projects,” she said. 

Ms Embry also pointed out that honoring and preserving the definitions and principles of volunteering is another important consideration in planning the implementation of this idea.  

“There are established definitions of the nature of volunteering and we are guided by principles, which are a result of national consultation with a wide range of stakeholders from those in volunteering, not for profit organisations and the broader community. 

“It is important for us to uphold at all times the element of free choice in volunteering. It should be done without coercion, should not be motivated by any form of consideration and does not involve remuneration,” she said. 

Ms. Embry is excited about the role that her organisation will have in the planning and implementation of this idea. Volunteering Victoria supports and promotes volunteering through the services and advice they provide their members, volunteers, the volunteer support network and the wider Victorian community. 

She added, “There is a strong state-wide network of peak volunteering support bodies that are funded by the Federal Government to some extent. It is important that these agencies are involved in consultations and their contribution will also be pivotal to this program as it is developed. Significant additional resources will be required by all states.” 

“Volunteering strengthens our society and volunteers contribute to the resilience of our communities so the involvement of university students would be an enormous addition to the sector and we look forward to having a part in making this vision a reality,” Ms. Embry said. 

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