Main Content

Our Advocacy

This year we stepped up our advocacy program to increase the visibility and improve the recognition of volunteering across the community and with all levels of government. This work is founded on principles of constructive and proactive engagement, evidence-based policy and consultation.

At the national level, Volunteering WA partner with national, state and territory peak bodies to develop position statements and make formal submissions. This year the major issues were responses to the bushfires of 2019-20 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Volunteering covers a diverse range of areas including sport and recreation, community services, education support, programs that care for the environment and cultural industries. Policy submissions seek to understand the different issues with volunteering in each of these areas, while also highlighting a number of common themes which include the need for:

  • Recognition of the diversity of portfolios which benefit and rely on volunteering
  • Greater and more explicit consultation with and recognition of volunteering sector
  • Funded national and state based volunteering strategies
  • Increased investment in volunteering infrastructure and capacity
  • New approaches to adapt to changes in volunteer participation.

More information on our approach to advocacy and access to policy submissions made on behalf of members and the volunteering sector is available here.

The pandemic required a rapid response and creation of new resources to support volunteers and organisations. In WA, this included working closely with the Minister for Volunteering and the Department of Communities on the Ministerial Recovery Roundtable and participation on the Seniors Taskforce.

Volunteer Community Reference Group

The Volunteering Community Reference Group (VCRG) was established by Volunteering WA under the direction of the Hon Minister for Volunteering, Mick Murray MLA. The purpose of the group is to provide a direct voice on volunteering issues from the sector to government.

During the 2019/20 year the VCRG provided comprehensive feedback to the Government on the WA Volunteering Framework and State Volunteering Strategy. The group also discussed COVID-19 and the volunteering sector, including the impacts and emerging issues encountered during the recovery phase of emergencies. Read the VCRG member profiles here.

Networks

Volunteering WA convenes and contributes to numerous networks and works with partners to ensure that we represent the broad voice of the sector and that we develop policies and advocacy initiatives that strengthen and support volunteering state-wide. View our networks and partnerships here.