Credit union unveils national recruitment drive to boost volunteer numbers
A unique new volunteer initiative will be launched jointly by Community CPS and Volunteering SA & NT in Adelaide today, 4 December 2011.
The national volunteering program ’Community Volunteers’ is the brainchild of leading credit union Community CPS Australia in partnership with Volunteering SA & NT and is being unveiled ahead of International Volunteer Day (Monday 5 December). The program is implemented in other states through Volunteering WA, Volunteering ACT and the Hunter Volunteer Centre.
Community CPS is helping to promote volunteerism through the ‘Community Volunteers’ program, which will feature an online register of volunteering opportunities provided by Volunteering SA & NT, This will make it easier for everyday Australians to join the army of 5.4 million volunteers supporting worthy causes each year.
Community CPS chief executive officer, Robert Keogh, said the program acted as a central point for potential volunteers to access volunteering vacancies available, assisting with that crucial first step to finding a cause close to their hearts and becoming involved.
“Our website will list a variety of volunteering vacancies, and potential volunteers can search these for suitable opportunities. They can also register online as a Community Volunteer and they will be contacted when new vacancies arise,” said Mr Keogh.
“Community Volunteers extends our existing staff volunteering initiatives to our staff, members and the wider community, making it the first program of its kind in the country.
“We know from our own research that many Australians would like to volunteer but don’t know where to start. This program brings volunteers and volunteering opportunities together in one central spot, making it easy for everyone to get involved.”
“As an employer, Community CPS has supported staff volunteering for a long time, offering all employees a paid ‘Community Leave Day’ per year.
“During the last financial year our staff donated more than 1,000 hours to charity, and to celebrate Community Volunteers we are doubling the ‘Community leave day’ allocation for staff, giving them two paid days per year to volunteer,” he said.
Volunteering SA & NT chief executive officer, Evelyn O’Loughlin, welcomed the program, saying that volunteers were the backbone of the Australian community, helping to make the world a better place everyday.
“Volunteers contribute immeasurably to the wellbeing of our communities, and not-for-profits will tell you: they need more!” said Ms O’Loughlin.
“Community Volunteers is an excellent initiative, making it easier for people to find volunteering opportunities, as well as offering not-for-profit organisations a platform to share vacancies and access a pool of potential volunteers they weren’t able to tap into before.
“We look forward to working with Community CPS in its endeavour to assist local communities, and not-for-profit organisations will really welcome the support,” she said.
People interested in joining Community Volunteers can do so on the website www.communitycps.com.au/smile.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY CPS AUSTRALIA GROUP
