THE Port Macquarie Volunteer Centre hosted the first Mid North Coast Volunteering Forum earlier this month at Panthers.
“We aimed to bring together knowledge and expertise from both a state and local level to support a diverse range of not-for-profit groups with volunteer management information and resources,” organiser Beck Miles said.
She said Paul Spink from the Office of Communities, Volunteering Unit Department of Education and Communities and CEO Lynne Dalton from the Centre for Volunteering discussed a variety of challenges faced in the volunteering sector, including outcomes of the NSW volunteering strategy.
“The forum brought together more than 50 participants form Forster to Coffs Harbour. The emphasis was on building a strong volunteering community,” Ms Miles said.
“I was pleased to see so many organisations interested in the forum and will plan further engagement in the new year.
“Building a sustainable volunteering community is vital. Without good management practices and future planning, it is possible that many volunteer services will not exist in the future.”
Ms Miles is the co-ordinator of the Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre – Volunteer Centre which hosted the forum. The centre is an information, training and referral service supporting prospective volunteers.
For further Information on volunteering contact Ms Miles on 6584 1914.
