September 30, 2009
September - October 2008
IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS FROM IAVE
NEWS FROM IAVE MEMBERS
- IAVE Japan Workshop on Youth Service
- Theme Announced for Australian National Volunteer Week 2009
- New Study on Volunteers in Ecuador
- News from Volunteer 21 in Korea
NEWS FROM THE GLOBAL VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
In this issue we take another step toward IYV+10, we hear about a great meeting of IAVE’s GCVC members in Brazil, there is news from members in Latin America and Asia-Pacific – and we are pleased to tell you about a REAL conference instead of one of the scams we usually report on.
What is missing? Something from YOU. Come on – write to us about your work – kenn@civilsocietyconsulting.com.
Kenn Allen
NEWS FROM IAVE
I want to share with you this month three items of interest.
White Band Campaign
Volunteer Centers and NGOs will join forces with many Korean civil society organizations to raise people’s awareness on poverty on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17). The campaign will be carried out in various ways such as hanging large “End Poverty” banners in the same design around buildings including the National Assembly building and issuing a public statement.
Eradication of poverty and the Millennium Development Goals cannot be achieved if there is no volunteering effort. Therefore I hope that IAVE members, volunteer centers and businesses worldwide will actively take part in the White Band Campaign worldwide on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. For more information, please go to http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlDay/index.html.
Seminars for Leaders of Volunteering
Around the IAVE board meeting which will be held in Changwon, Korea November 15-18, we are now organizing two seminars for community volunteering leaders in Korea. On November 18, a seminar titled “How to Build Capacity of NGOs to Boost Up Volunteering” will be held in Changwon. IAVE board members María Teresa Gnecco de Ruiz and Kathi Dennis will talk about the topic as speakers with around 100 community volunteering leaders. Another seminar is under discussion with the Korea Volunteer Forum for November 20. Kenn Allen will be the speaker on current trends in volunteer management consulting. Around 30 volunteering leaders in Seoul will get together to share their questions and ideas after the presentation.
Joint Publication on Volunteering and Social Activism
Over the past month, with the input and support of members of the IAVE board, I have had the opportunity to work with Karena Cronin at CIVICUS in finalizing the report of our joint project with United Nations Volunteers, “Volunteering and Social Activism.” The final version addresses important questions on how best these two activities, both of which are dependent on the willingness of people to volunteer, can support one another. We expect the final report to be published in November.
Dr. Kang-Hyun Lee
IYV+10…the countdown continues
The year 2011 (IYV+10) will be the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers 2001 – that’s just a little over 26 months away….This month we are pleased to have three articles related to preparation for IYV+10 – from IAVE board member Kylee Bates, from Europe and from New Zealand.
Kylee Bates on What YOU Can Do to Prepare for IYV+10
Three things that you can do this month to promote and prepare for IYV+10 are:
1. Put together a planning committee for the volunteer organizations you are involved with to develop an IYV+10 Action Plan that outlines what activities you might drive and get involved with in the lead up to and during 2011.
2. Send your ideas for IYV+10 to your IAVE regional board representative to assist the IAVE board to develop the IAVE IYV+10 Action Plan when we meet in November 2008.
3. Write to your national, state or local government leaders to make sure that they know about the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers and encourage them to begin thinking about how they can support and get involved in the year.
Europe Prepares for IYV+10
[This report comes to us from Colette Robert, elected Regional Representative to the IAVE board of directors from Europe.]
Following the proposal of five European Members of Parliament (MEP) and with the support of the CEV, the European Volunteer Centre, as well as 16 other Associative European Networks, the European Parliament in Brussels has adopted a written declaration signed by 454 European Deputies asking for “2011 European Year for Volunteering”.
Each country member of CEV has personally written to all their own European deputies to ask them to put their signature on this document. It is all the more important for France that this country is in charge of the European Presidency until December 2008.
In its press release announcing the declaration, CEV says, “The call for the year has been supported by 17 major European networks active in volunteering, representing hundreds of thousands of volunteer organizations at local, regional, national and international levels involving millions of volunteers.”
A Double Anniversary in New Zealand
[This report comes to us from Tim Burns, executive director of Volunteering New Zealand, IAVE’s national representative there.]
The year 2011 (IYV+10) will be the 10th anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers 2001. It will also be the year when Volunteering NZ celebrates its 10th birthday. Worldwide volunteering community is already starting to prepare for the opportunity this year will offer to again celebrate and promote the contribution volunteers make in the day-to-day lives of many others and to the wider world’s commitments such as Millennium Development Goals.
VNZ has begun its initial planning on how best to mark the year, including celebrating its 10th anniversary. There will be a major volunteer involvement in that other big event of that year – the Rugby World Cup. At least 6,000 volunteers will be needed to ensure it is a smooth running and successful celebratory event. It will offer a great opportunity for inter-sectoral cooperation aimed at achieving a lasting legacy for volunteering in NZ through capacity building and infrastructural enhancement.
The 4th Meeting of the Global Corporate Volunteer Council
[Thanks to Sarah Hayes, the consultant director of IAVE’s GCVC – The Global Corporate Volunteer Council, for this article.]
A little rain in Rio couldn’t stop the representatives from seven international companies from sharing good practice, brainstorming new ideas for collaboration in the years ahead, and supporting one another’s volunteer program goals. The fourth G-CVC meeting in two years was, as everyone agreed, the best yet! Participants were inspired and motivated to return to their companies armed with new ideas and reinforced support from fellow members. Additionally, the unusual weather allowed for members to bond together, enjoy one another’s company and laugh a lot!
G-CVC members attending were from Vale (Sergio Dias and Alice Santos); Monsanto (Deborah Patterson, Tommie Monroe and Christiane Bracco); Citi (Claudia McNamee); Disney (Belen Urbaneja), American Airlines (Sam Santiago) and Telefonica (Samantha Penalver). Milena Ramos also attended from Pfizer, Sao Paulo.
Vale, one of the G-CVC Founding Members, based in Rio de Janeiro, invited the G-CVC to hold our meeting there, and also hosted a special breakfast the morning of September 17, which included members of Rio’s CBVE (local Corporate Volunteer Council) joining with the G-CVC attendees. The G-CVC gratefully acknowledges Vale’s support for our meeting, as details of our event were seamlessly orchestrated so that everyone could receive the full benefit of our time together.
A small sampling of topics discussed at the meeting were keeping employee volunteer programs relevant in difficult times, strategically aligning the volunteer program to the business of the company, securing the support of middle management, online tools and measures for high impact programs, and what multi-national companies can contribute to the celebration of the International Year of Volunteers Plus Ten – IYV+10 – in 2011. The discussions were relevant to all companies represented, and were enthusiastically participated in! Not only were the discussions appropriate for current challenges international companies are facing, but very visionary as well. This group was very enthusiastic and forward-thinking!
Joining the G-CVC members were special guests and presenters, including Kenn Allen (CSCG), Bruno Ayres (V2V), Oscar Garcia from Argentina, Carla Sattler from C&A in Sao Paulo, and of course Monica Beatriz Galiano of Iniciativa Brasil, who also was a great help in planning the meeting.
In addition to working hard in the meeting, participants enjoyed great food and beautiful scenery (although sometimes you had to look through the clouds to find it!). I doubt anyone who climbed the steps to Corcovado in the blinding rain to see the statue of the Christ on the mountain will ever forget that unique sightseeing adventure! (You can see a picture of the statue taken that day on the IAVE website). We were also treated to a history lesson on the famous Brazilian Carnival, and I must say our participants all looked great in their sparkly Carnival masks!
Our members also got to meet and spend time with some of the many volunteers of Vale, who came to Teresópolis on our last meeting day for their own annual congress. It was a wonderful time for sharing and learning from each other!
I’d like to thank all who attended, those who presented, and those who organized this event – the G-CVC moves forward with a great stride from Brasil, due to your wonderful efforts! Thank you!
NEWS FROM IAVE MEMBERS
IAVE JAPAN WORKSHOP ON YOUTH SERVICE
[Thanks to Akira Ito, member of the IAVE Japan board of directors, for this article.]
On July 26, IAVE Japan organized a workshop entitled “Sustainability of Youth Organizations’ Activities” which was led by Mr. Noboru Hayase, Secretary General of the Osaka Volunteer Association.
Mr. Hayase described volunteering as “romance,” saying, “Volunteering is not ‘Agape (God’s love)’, but ‘Eros (personal love).’”
He emphasized that it was more important to encourage young people to have a sense of ownership as citizens and to help them grow up with a spirit of volunteering from a young age. It is important for young people to develop focus on what they learn from these activities so that they can act as responsible citizens throughout their lives. It is, then, more important to provide these learning experiences than to worry about whether specific youth activities are sustainable over time.
Volunteerism is not only an action for the society but for the individuals within it.
For example, there is a movement called “Buycott.” The “Buycott”, is a coined term derived from “Boycott”, means to promote purchasing the products and utilizing the services of companies which demonstrate corporate social responsibility (CSR). The program encourages customers to evaluate the companies through their purchasing choices.
Thus, there now is a move to require companies to make public information on their CSR. One of crucial points when the system is applied is that customers have the clear standard to judge not only the price but also the fairness or not when they purchase the products and utilize the services.
Theme Announced for Australian National Volunteer Week 2009
[This article comes to us from the monthly e-newsletter of Volunteering Australia.]
May 11-17, 2009
After much consultation, discussion and debate the theme for National Volunteer Week – May 11-17, 2009 – has been chosen:
Volunteers: Everyday people, extraordinary contribution
This theme carries the message that everyone has something of value to offer and that every volunteer’s contribution, no matter how big or small, is extraordinary because that person cares enough to be a volunteer.
The theme acknowledges the enormous contribution of volunteers and the value of volunteering. It encourages new volunteers by reinforcing that everybody can become a volunteer.
This theme will be used in our NVW celebration of the great contribution that volunteers make in society.
NEW STUDY ON VOLUNTEERS IN ECUADOR
[This article comes to us from Gladys Almeida de Franco, IAVE National Representative in Ecuador.]
Research Commission of MVE, IAVE Ecuador and Ignatius Service of Volunteerism carried on a research study related with the type of volunteers Ecuador has. The study has been directed by Julio Cesar Benitez and includes information regarding gender, ages, labor sectors, contributions to the net national income, among others variables. The government signed a contract with these organizations in order that the study could be published.
Among the objectives of the study are:
• To develop sensitivity in regard to the important of volunteers in Ecuador and
• The need of a law that support, promotes and protect volunteerism, respecting its values and principles, liberty of thought ant actions, this implies autonomy.
The findings of the study reveal that:
• Ecuador has nearly 500.000 volunteers with an average of 11.000 hours yearly.
• The contribution volunteers make is almost US $1,000 millions annually, which represents from 2% to 3% of net national income.
• Resources of volunteer efforts are re-invested up to 45 times in community development
• Taking these into consideration volunteerism is an activity that transforms society, permits human beings to be a change actor and exercise full citizenship.
The findings of this study were presented in a forum of IAVE XXth World Conference in Panama. The document was presented by Violaine Amerigo, coordinator of UN Volunteers, the Table of Volunteerism in Ecuador and Erika Zarate, representing SIGVOL
It is important that IAVE Ecuador gives special support the national coordination and help in establishing a youth coordination that could support all these projects.
NEWS FROM VOLUNTEER21 IN KOREA
[This article was translated into English from the Volunteer21 newsletter by volunteer Ms. YOON Jung-Kyung. Volunteer21 is IAVE’s National Representative in Korea. Please contact Theresa OH at volun@volunteer21.org for more information.]
2008 Vietnam Green Summer Campaign
From August 6 to August 16, 2008, Volunteer21 participated in the Vietnam Green Summer Campaign, leading 17 students of “Greenbow” youth volunteers. The purpose of this campaign was to reconstruct the Ben Tre area, a key battlefield during the Vietnam War. Sponsored by SK Telecom, one of the largest IT business conglomerates in Korea, students from low income families had a chance to go abroad and experience overseas volunteering.
Volunteer activities include paving the roads, reconstructing the village and teaching English for primary students. For a village feast on August 11, over 1,000 residents were gathered and enjoyed the party. Students also visited Peace Village in Ho Chi Minh City, where many children still suffer from diseases caused by defoliants, and witnessed the cruelty of war. As this was a Service-Learning project, several training courses were provided to the youth participants, such as understanding about different culture, attitudes of volunteers, etc. Considering the meaning and successful result of the volunteering, feedback was followed after each activity with hot discussion.
Hands On Volunteer Project – “Library-in-a-Box”
On August 21, 2008 Chungwoon Nursery School kids had a fun time to making 20 reading book boxes with volunteers from Seochogu Volunteer Center and Samsung SDS employees. Children had the joy of making and painting their own book boxes. As one of the Hands On Projects, this program was designed to help busy people volunteer and have fun in a simple but worthwhile project. This was another example of how volunteer project leaders can manage and facilitate volunteers to make activities pleasant and efficient.
The 2nd National Volunteer Conference held in Jeonju, Korea
The 2008 Korean National Volunteer Conference was held in August 28-29 Jeonju City. The theme of this conference was “Civil Society and Volunteer Movement.” About 300 people from Volunteer Centers, corporations, NGOs and government institutions attended and participated in active discussion and the exchange of meaningful opinions. Volunteer21 hosted the 4th session regarding “Reconsideration on Civil Movement in Volunteering” and coordinated the workshop focused on the civic movement by volunteering. The importance of close networking and solidarity among civic groups was also emphasized during discussion.
Special Innovation Award from Peter Drucker Society given to NGO
Volunteer21 was awarded a special prize for innovation from the Peter Drucker Society. The award gives recognition to NGOs that have shown creative management, life-long learning and social responsibility. Various education and training programs, distinguished strategies and empowerment for staffs and volunteers were considered and highly evaluated. Volunteer21 expresses sincere thanks and great appreciation for all the members’ support and contribution.
FROM THE GLOBAL VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY
THIS CONFERENCE IS REAL!!
[After reporting on so many “scam” conference announcements, we are pleased to call attention to this one that is VERY REAL!!]
The 8th Global Conference of the International Association for National Youth Service – November 19-22, 2008 – Paris, France
The 8th Global Conference on National Youth Service will take place in Paris, France from 19-22 November, 2008. The conference will be held at the Fondation des Etats-Unis and hosted by Innovations in Civic Participation (ICP), Unis-Cité, and the Association of Voluntary Service Organizations (AVSO). This conference is an exciting opportunity for professionals in the field of youth development to come together to discuss the potential for national youth service to promote community and youth development. Past participants have come from 48 different countries on six continents, as well as from several international organizations.
The goal of the Global Conference is to provide a forum for IANYS members and other international youth development professionals to share information and discuss developments in national youth service programs and policies in Europe and around the world. The Conference will take place over the course of four days and will include an optional session on policy and program development, a combination of plenary sessions, round table presentations, smaller workshops, and a service project. Round table sessions will address issues of scaling up programs, measuring program impacts, social inclusion, and service-learning. Smaller workshops will be offered on a variety of topics including meeting critical community needs through service, developing regional networks, comparing program models, stimulating private sector investment, and building a research agenda around youth service.
Registration is now open online! Registration rates are $375 for an NGO Representative; $425 for a University Representative, Independent Researcher or Other; and $500 for a Government Representative.
More information, including the preliminary conference agenda and online registration, can be found at www.icicp.org/ianys
IANYS is pleased to announce that Kumi Naidoo, the former Secretary General of CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, will be a keynote speaker at the 8th Global Conference. CIVICUS is an international alliance of more than 500 organizations and individuals from 85 countries dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia will also address the conference via a video recording.
About IANYS
The International Association of National Youth Service (IANYS) was formed in 1996 and has grown to include members from 48 different countries on six continents. IANYS is the only network of its kind actively working to encourage every country to consider the implementation of policies and programs that support youth civic engagement. In addition to advocating for strong youth policy, IANYS also facilitates the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices in youth civic engagement policies and programs. IANYS membership is open to practitioners, researchers, and policymakers working to promote youth civic engagement through national youth service.
Please contact Jean Manney, Program Associate at ICP, at manney@icicp.org or +1 (202) 775-0290 if you would like more information or have questions about IANYS and the Global Conference.
The conference above may be real but the scams go on...
No, there is no such thing as the Microsoft Lottery or the Gates Foundation Lottery. Emails in French and English suggesting you are a winner in those lotteries are false. This is another internet scam.
United Nations and GuideStar International working together to put all African Charities Online
GuideStar International (GSI) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) announced in August a joint venture to develop a free web portal for African civil society organizations, which will showcase the work of all NGOs, charities, nonprofit organizations and community based organizations from the smallest to the largest. Utilizing a shared internet platform, organizations will, for the first time, be able to display their vision and mission, objectives, activities, needs and finances to donors, researchers, policy makers and the general public.
The service, known as GuideStar, is already fully operational in the US, www.guidestar.org, and the UK, www.guidestar.org.uk, where these websites contain detailed information on hundreds of thousands of registered charities and non-profit institutions. GuideStar International is also working to develop similar systems in Europe, Canada, India, South Korea and South Africa.
GuideStar will enable charitable organizations in Africa to upload essential information about their organizations through a user-friendly interactive webpage, where they can also upload additional information, publications and photographs. This can then be accessed through the free website to help increase transparency and accountability to the public they serve.
It will also contribute toward building an effective database that would indicate the outreach and the level of influence these organizations have both in social and economic spheres of African countries.
For further information please contact Keisha Taylor Communications Manager GuideStar International 55-56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields London, WC2A3LJ. Her email is ktaylor@guidestarinternational.org and the website is www.guidestarinternational.org
