“It’s practical, it’s relevant and has real take home value for sporting clubs,” said Judi Andrewartha in describing the Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP).
Judi, the Leisure Services Project Officer with Onkaparinga Council in Adelaide is well qualified to make these comments as she has coordinated the delivery of all VIP modules to community clubs in her Council and surrounding areas.
The Volunteer Involvement Program was first released in 1993 aiming to encourage and support sport and recreation organisations to develop, promote and embrace excellence in volunteer management policies.
Onkaparinga Council values the program so highly it totally funds the program, paying for the resources and the presenters, publicising the program and inviting local clubs to attend.
Another Council to embrace the program is the City of Marion, also in Adelaide. Dominic Fitzsimmons, Council’s Recreation Planner has overseen the delivery of VIP to local clubs for the last three years.
“Our Council benefits by having clubs that are more professional, competently run and able to manage their resources effectively,” Dominic Fitzsimmons said.
“Often the resources, grounds and club buildings are Council property so a better managed club helps us maintain our facilities at a higher standard, saving our Council time, money and resources.”
The City of Marion is starting to sponsor clubs through the Active Australia Provider process. Dominic sees the VIP as ‘a great stepping stone for clubs who then want to complete the Provider process’.
The Australian Sports Commission has improved the original volunteer management modules and added a new series of modules to support club/association management. The new resources consist of two main elements, the Club/Association Management Program and Volunteer Management Program.
Club/Association Management Program
The aim of the Club/Association Management Program is to improve the places where sport and physical activity services are delivered.
The modules in the Club/Association Management Program are:
- Creating a Club
- Club Planning
- Committee Management
- Conducting Meetings
- Financial Management
- Sponsorship, Fundraising and Grants
- Marketing and Promoting Sport and Recreation
- Event Management
- Legal Issues and Risk Management
Volunteer Management Program
The aim of the Volunteer Management Program is to develop excellence in volunteer management policies and practices in sport and recreation organisations.
The modules in the Volunteer Management Program are:
- Recruiting Volunteers
- Retaining Volunteers
- Managing Event Volunteers
- Volunteer Management Policy
- The Volunteer Coordinator
- Volunteer Management: A Guide to Good Practice
The modules can be purchased through the Australian Sports Commission Publications unit on (02) 6214 1915.
Judi and Dominic are happy to share their experiences with VIP and the Active Australia Provider process.
Judi Andrewartha can be contacted on email judand@onkaparinga.sa.gov.au
Dominic Fitzsimmons can be contacted on email DMF@marion.sa.gov.au
