On February 17, close to fifty representatives from not-for-profit and community organisations met for a whole-day forum organised by Volunteering Victoria at the City of Melbourne Bowls Club.

This gathering is one of a number we are planning throughout 2010 as part of Volunteering Victoria’s commitment to have regular and meaningful engagement with our stakeholders. Having open lines of communication keep us all informed about the situations and scenarios within and around our environment. This helps all of us in our endeavour to understand our community better and as we aim to articulate well our needs, our strengths, our plans and what we would like to see for our future. The knowledge and information we gain from each other equips us in raising the voice of volunteering, especially to decision makers whose actions impact our community.

Most, if not all, of the organisations represented at the event work with volunteers. This included peak bodies; Volunteer Resource Centres (VRCs); Volunteer Resource Services (VRSs) and volunteer units within shires and councils from metropolitan Melbourne as well as regional / rural Victoria. There was also representation from the Department of Planning and Community Development and emergency services.

Policy and Advocacy Officer James Wilson presented on the key structural issues that challenge the growth and sustainability of Volunteering in Victoria. Dianne Embry, Volunteering Victoria’s Chief Executive Office, spoke about the drivers and instruments of change that affect the volunteering community now and into the future. There were opportunities for group discussions and reporting back to the whole group during plenary sessions throughout the day.

Participants notes have been collated, attached here as Appendix A, and from the discussions and outcomes during the day, we have identified three main themes which will form part of our priorities for 2010. Download the full Report: Working together to shape the future of volunteering forum 17 Feb 2010