Internation Volunteer Managers Day: community leaders attend leadership event

COMMUNITY group volunteers from multicultural backgrounds celebrated International Volunteer Managers Day at a leadership event in the Swan Valley last week.

Eighty-six representatives from not-for-profit organisations attended the event run by Town of Bassendean and City of Swan Volunteer Resource Centre.

The event’s theme was ‘One Job, Many Hats’ and featured a flamenco performance by Sofia Pratt from Danza Viva and a speech by Youth Volunteer of the Year nominee Nick Maisey.

Town of Bassendean community development director Graeme Haggart said volunteering helped people feel valued and accepted within the community.

“When we are volunteering we are giving in an altruistic way, but simultaneously receiving rewards of knowing we are doing good and being appreciated,” he said.

City of Swan Volunteer Resource Centre co-ordinator Elizabeth Acason said the event was a networking opportunity and recognised the different roles covered by volunteer managers.

“Without volunteering, the vast majority of programs that enrich the society within which we live could not operate,” she said.

“Volunteer programs led by volunteer managers, provide a vast and diverse range of services to, assist and include those less fortunate or disadvantaged in some way.”