Skilled Volunteers lend a hand!

Imagine getting business advice from a CEO, or help with your marketing plan from a leading advertising executive. Many of Mission Australia’s clients and services felt they could benefit from a bit of ‘expert assistance’ – that’s why we’ve developed a Skilled Volunteering program, to harness the experience of highly skilled professional volunteers.

There has been a growing trend internationally towards skilled volunteering. Research experts from have recognised that volunteers play an important role in creating a healthy and dynamic civil society. The modern Australian volunteer seeks more meaning in the work they do, and wants to have greater influence in the organisation they work with.

But as the working world gets busier, many professionals find it hard to spare the time for some of the more ‘traditional’ volunteering roles. Similarly, many of these business people have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, but don’t quite know how it could be of use in a community services environment. This is where Skilled Volunteering comes in.

The Mission Australia Skilled Volunteering program is aimed at highly skilled professionals who would like to contribute their skills towards Mission Australia projects and services. The volunteers are encouraged to use their own existing professional skills, on projects to enhance Mission Australia’s services. Some of the current volunteer projects include strategic visioning for community services, researching and writing information kits, facilitating workshops and acting as business advisors for unemployed clients looking to start their own small business.

One skilled volunteer, Val Ritchie, is helping Mission Australia put together its strategy for improving the organisation’s sustainability, and helping to reduce its ‘carbon footprint’. Val, a former Corporate Affairs manager with one of our corporate partners, has found a passion for sustainability and environmental matters, and is currently undertaking post-graduate study in Environmental Management. Val’s extensive experience and knowledge has been invaluable in setting Mission Australia on the pathway to sustainability.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Skilled Volunteering program, or would be interested in assisting with one of the projects, please get in contact with Fiona Ivits, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteering@missionaustralia.com.au or call 02 9288 0070

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