Innovative volunteer strategies in SA Government
The South Australian (SA) Government is committed to supporting and developing the volunteer sector and recognises the vital role the sector plays in achieving the many social and community building aspects of South Australia’s Strategic Plan (external link).
Here you will find some links to just some of the innovative strategies departments have developed over time to help manage, develop and support their volunteer managers and volunteers:
- Office for Volunteers, Attorney-General's Department
- Department for Families and Communities
- Department for Environment and Heritage
- The Department of Education and Children’s Services
- Department for Correctional Services
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management Board
Office for Volunteers, Attorney-General's Department
A brand new Whole of Government Volunteering Policy template has been developed by the Office for Volunteers, within the Attorney-General's Department, which provides an optional framework for government agencies to use, encouraging best practice and greater consistency in volunteer management across government.
Volunteer coordinators and managers in community groups may also find it a helpful resource, especially if they are looking for a starting point or a framework for developing or reviewing their own organisation's Volunteering Policy.
Department for Families and Communities
The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) Volunteers Unit has developed a range of strategies for managing its volunteers including the:
- DFC Volunteering Policy— (54 kb PDF) - Identifies the broad principles and guidelines for involving volunteers within DFC.
- DFC Volunteering Charter of Mutual Obligation (external link) (46KB PDF) - Aims to provide guidance to volunteers and volunteer managers on the mutual obligation that exists between volunteers and DFC with respect to volunteer rights and responsibilities as well as general expected standards of behaviour.
- Customer Service Standards - Volunteers Unit (external link) (248KB PDF) - Provides DFC's Customer Service Standards, which strive for excellence in customer service.
- DFC Volunteer Operational Guidelines (external link)— (279 kb PDF) - Guides DFC's work with
volunteers and incorporates its commitment to ensuring best practice.
You can download these documents online by visiting the DFC website (external link). For further information, contact the DFC Volunteers Unit by phoning (08) 8415 4257 or 1300 885 068 (toll free), or emailing volunteer@dfc.sa.gov.au.
Department for Environment and Heritage
The Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) has been innovative in its approach to developing volunteer engagement strategies, which include:
- Success Through Partnership: A Strategy for Volunteer Engagement — (718 kb PDF) - Created by the DEH Volunteer Support Unit, this strategy builds on the success of DEH programs and sets the direction for a reinvigorated approach to volunteer engagement over the following five years.
For further information about this strategy, contact the Volunteer Support Unit by phoning (08) 8124 4785.
- DEH Alumni program (external link) - Offers former DEH staff opportunities to continue to share their talents with staff and the community through volunteering. This program also offers Alumni opportunities to network with each other and current staff.
For further information about this program, visit the DEH website (external link) or contact the DEH Alumni Coordinator by phoning 8463 3140 or emailing deh.alumni@saugov.sa.gov.au.
The Department of Education and Children’s Services
The Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) have launched a brand new website and brochure, featuring a range of information and resources about volunteering in local schools and children’s service centres.
On the website, you can find out how to become a DECS volunteer, read strategies and tips on managing volunteers and access a range of information and resources.
- Visit the Volunteering in DECS website (external link)
- Download the Why Not Try Volunteering in a Preschool or School? brochure — (220 kb PDF)
For further information, visit the DECS website (external link) or contact the Community and Tertiary Liaison Directorate by phoning 8226 1576.
Department for Correctional Services
As part of their volunteer management strategy, the Department for Correctional Services (DCS) has developed a special Handbook for Volunteers — (300 kb PDF), for people who wish to volunteer within prisons and community corrections.
The handbook provides a range of information, including the practical aspects of becoming a volunteer and some of the health and safety, security and ethical issues that volunteers should be aware of.
- Download DCS Handbook for Volunteers — (300 kb PDF)
For further information, visit the DCS website (external link) or contact the DCS Volunteer Unit by phoning 8440 3608.
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet
The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has developed a new Corporate Volunteering Policy — (92 kb PDF), which provides guidance to staff about their 'Special Leave With Pay for Community Volunteering' entitlements. Under this initaitive, DPC staff may be granted up to two days paid leave each calendar year to volunteer in the community.
- Download DPC's corporate volunteering policy — (92 kb PDF)
Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources Management (EPNRM) Board
The Board has developed a brand new Charter in consultation with EPNRM Board members and staff as well as the many environmental volunteer community groups across the Eyre Peninsula that participate in natural resources management. The Charter agreement between the Board and groups articulates and formalises their shared commitment to the value of the work achieved by volunteers across the region.
- Download the Charter (external link): The Charter has been published on the EPNRM website under 'latest news'.
For further information, visit the EPNRM website at www.epnrm.sa.gov.au (external link) or contact the EPNRM Board by phoning 8682 7555.
