Student Volunteer Week 2018 Webinar

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Student Volunteer Week – Volunteering to Learn

Volunteering New Zealand is hosting a series of 30-minute episodes delivering a mixture of presentation and conversation style information. Our guest presenters will be speaking to local and international speakers as they explore topics on volunteering to help you better lead, manage and develop your volunteer workforce.

Just in time for Student Volunteer Week, the first speaker is Professor Kirsten Holmes of Curtin University.

In this seminar, we will consider what factors contribute to successful student volunteer programmes.

The Volunteering to Learn study was the first to examine all perspectives involved in university student volunteering. These include the students, universities, program managers, host organisations and voluntary sector peak bodies to enable successful outcomes for all.

This is an amazing opportunity to hear Kirsten speaking on this topic and, best of all, it’s absolutely free!

 

 

When: 1.30 pm, Thursday 19 April
Where: Your desk-top, phone or tablet
Fee: FREE!! Because it’s Student Volunteer Week

Click here to Register!

Student Volunteer Week 2017 – Highlights

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For ideas on how to have a successful Student Volunteer Week this year, here are some of our
highlights from last year!

“Voluntinder” – volunteer matching event

“Which volunteer role will capture your heart?” @unicrewotago

The University of Otago created a volunteering Tinder to match students with organisations needing volunteers. This fun and eye-catching display immediately creates impact and promotes that there is a perfect volunteer match out there for students.

Volunteer Expos

What could be better than finding a match on VolunTinder?! Getting to cuddle kittens IRL!! Here’s a photo from a Volunteer expo held at The University of Canterbury last year. Holding an expo for students to meet and speak to representatives from organisations seeking volunteers is a great way for schools to get involved. Volunteering Canterbury is holding one at UC again this year!

Cuteness at a Volunteer Expo at University of Canterbury

 

Sharing Volunteer Stories

Last year Girl Guiding NZ shared stories and photos from some of their many student volunteers on Instagram and Facebook. Promoting real-life examples of volunteer work is such a great way to encourage others to think about how they can contribute too! If you’re a student volunteer, share photos and stories on social media, tag your organisations and @volunteeringnz and use the hashtag #SVW2018.

Student Volunteer Katie from Girl Guiding NZ

Student Volunteer Kathy from Girl Guiding NZ

If you’re an organisation, highlighting the amazing contribution student volunteers make is one of the best ways to celebrate and encourage others to join in.

Creative ways to use our graphics

Check out our resources page on where you can download posters, logos and much more, to help promote Student Volunteer Week 2018 at your school, university or organisation. We’ve written a resource guide with tips and tricks. 

Here’s an example of how they were used last year!

Netball New Zealand thanks their volunteers for #SVW2017

 

So go ahead, get planning, and don’t forget to let us know what you’re up to!

Social Media Tips for Volunteer Organisations

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How are you promoting Student Volunteer Week within your organisation?

Whether you’re planning an event, undertaking student-focused projects, or running a recruitment drive for volunteers, one of the best ways to showcase this is by posting on social media.

Social media can help you reach a new audience of potential volunteers. Check out our tips for making the most of your social media presence:

  • Post visual content: photos, illustrations, info-graphics, and videos. You could even stream live video on Facebook showing a volunteer project or a ‘Behind-The-Scenes’ of your organisation. This helps people see what you’re all about.
  • Use the hashtag #SVW2018 in your posts. Anyone searching that tag will see your content and learn more about your good work. Remember to tag us @VolunteeringNZ so we can share your posts too!
  • Use other hashtags that are relevant, such as #animals #volunteer #forest #healthcare.
  • Tag the participants or local leaders of your community.
  • Encourage your student volunteers to post what they are doing or what volunteering means to them!
  • Know your audience. Take a quick look at who follows your account and tailor your posts to speak to them.
  • Empower your fans. Don’t forget to reply to a comment or two. Having a conversation and encouraging your existing supporters is just as important as gaining new ones.
  • The sooner the better. Time is of the essence and you’ll reach a larger audience if you start posting sooner and more frequently.
  • Share relevant posts from other pages. Promoting the work of others is a great way to show appreciation, become part of the conversation, and gives you more content.
  • Lost on what to say? Use quotes from inspirational leaders or stories from your volunteers.
  • Need graphics? We’ve got resources all ready to go for you to use, read our guide for more tips. 
  • If you’re holding an event, promote it! Add a link to your event in your posts, this is a great way to get your events out there and recruit more volunteers.
  • If you want volunteers, just ask! It’s amazing what a simple appeal for a helping hand can do. 
  • Most importantly, keep it up! Regularly posting is a great way to keep your social media momentum and your followers up to date on what you’re doing.

We can’t wait to see what you get up to!

Need any help? Email lucy@volunteeringnz.org.nz.