Survey

nfpSynergy have published a briefing (PDF) on over-estimating levels of volunteering which does make for interesting reading.

Calling all volunteer managers!

Red Foundation has launched a new online survey to look at the support available to volunteer managers and volunteers who run projects. Are volunteer managers isolated in their work? Do you get to speak with other volunteer managers? Do you use Facebook to reach other people doing work like yours? Or to reach volunteers? Where do you get the information you need? How do you learn how best to recruit and manage volunteers?

This survey is part of the Modernising Volunteering Improving Support project which will inform the work of front-line support providers. This means that what you tell us will have a genuine impact on what support volunteer managers and volunteer-led projects will have in the future. If you want change - tell us! If you want things to stay the way they are - tell us!

The UK Workforce Hub are currently undertaking a project to review and refresh the Management of Volunteers National Occupational Standards to ensure they meet the needs of managers in the voluntary and community sector through to 2014.

We are inviting you to take part in a consultation process which asks you to contribute your views on the draft standards which have been updated by a steering group and a consultant. It begins on the 18^th October will run until 18^th January 2008.

There are 2 ways in which you can have your say:

AVM, in partnership with the Scottish Association for Volunteer Management, is carrying out a short survey to find out how volunteer managers feel about their work.

Encouragingly, the role of volunteer managers is becomingly increasingly recognised, as seen by the reference in the Third Sector review and recent remarks by Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, who said that one of his office’s volunteering priorities is to better support people who manage and train volunteers.

However, little is known about the thoughts and views of volunteer managers. This survey will provide a starting point for AVM and SAVM in our work to champion the role of volunteer managers. Please go to the survey here.

The deadline is 19^th October 2007. The results will be released to coincide with International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day (1^st November).

Please pass the link on to any of your colleagues who you feel it might be relevant to. If you have any problems with the survey please contact info@volunteermanagers.org.uk

The Commission on the Future of Volunteering is calling for evidence. AVM has put together an initial draft response to the Commission which is attached. If members wish to feed into the AVM response with their own thoughts and views please respond by Thursday 26th July.

The deadlines for submissions is Tuesday 31st July. For further information about the Commission go to www.volcomm.org.uk