Within the Community

Last Updated on Monday, 19 April 2010 14:21

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Volunteering is about donating your time or skills, either formally through becoming involved in a community organisation, like Youthline or the SPCA, or informally by doing things like helping out at your local school, church or sports club.

There are thousands of volunteer organizations in New Zealand who rely on ordinary people like you and me to make a big contribution to the community.

"The community and voluntary sector encompasses a diversity of organisations, varying in their degree of formality, autonomy and power. It is a sector that can bring people of different ages, backgrounds or ethnicities together; and one that recognises that everyone has a contribution to make. Strong relationships, mutual support, and people getting involved in their communities are all directly related to positive outcomes like community safety, health, employment, and longevity. Volunteering is a real part of our Kiwi identity."

- Luamanuvao Winnie Laban Minister of the Community and Voluntary Sector, May 2006

Volunteering is something that benefits everyone - the organisation is able to provide their service, the community benefits from receiving the service and you benefit too.

As a volunteer you get to:

* Learn new skills
* Meet new people
* Get involved in something larger than yourself
* Develop your CV and possibly career
* Be involved in something you are passionate about and because you want to be - not because you have to be
* Feel proud that you are contributing to your community and taking action to create social change.

One of the great things about volunteering is that your age or level of experience doesn't matter - In fact throughout history young people have often been at the forefront of volunteering activities, just as they are in many organizations today. Click here to check out the history of volunteering.

Don't ever think that you have nothing to offer. There are lots of different ways to be a volunteer and every organisation needs all sorts of skills and people to make it work. A number of organisations also have different volunteering options, such as volunteering in person or online, and are usually flexible about time.

This site has a list of volunteer opportunities if you are keen to get involved in something in your area.

http://www.volunteernow.org.nz/

Volunteering New Zealand also has a lot of information about volunteering and volunteer opportunities.