Celebrating the HUGE contribution of volunteers in our communities
International Volunteer Day (IVD) was instigated by the United Nations in 1985, and is now celebrated by 125 countries.
In New Zealand, International Volunteer Day blends publicity about the huge contribution volunteers make to society with activities to recognise volunteers. Some voluntary organisations choose to present certificates or awards to loyal volunteers, while others host special morning teas to show their appreciation. The ways of celebrating IVD and acknowledging the hard work of volunteers are as varied as the volunteers themselves.
"International Volunteer Day isn't just about voluntary organisations or Volunteer Centres saying thanks to their volunteers – individuals and communities can also do their own thing to show their appreciation," says Tim Burns, Volunteering NZ Executive Director.
More than one million New Zealanders are actively involved in volunteer work, both informally within their communities and through the 97,000 plus organisations that make up the community and voluntary sector.
Volunteers contribute millions of unpaid hours to human rights, health, education, sports and recreation, social services, arts and culture, emergency services, environmental and animal welfare, and community development.
"Helping others and contributing to our communities is part of who we are as New Zealanders," Director of the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS), Brenda Ratcliff says.
"Research with different communities in New Zealand has shown us that there are many ways that people support their communities, and we use a range of terms to describe these good works and our reasons for helping.
"Some people talk of 'just doing what's needed', or 'being part of the community'. There are formal activities through organised groups and informal help between neighbours. Some talk of 'unpaid work' or 'active citizenship', while others say it is simply part of their culture or that there is an expectation that they will help out and give back to their communities.
"However we refer to these gifts of humanity, I believe International Volunteer Day is about celebrating all these exchanges of kindness and recognising the contribution of 'volunteers' in the broadest terms," Brenda says.
"Even when volunteers don't recognise themselves as volunteers, we value what they do and acknowledge and support their efforts – a philosophy that is endorsed in the Government Policy on Volunteering, and the existence of OCVS itself," Brenda says.
» Random Facts and Figures on Volunteering in New Zealand Word - 200kb
» Read the Government Policy on Volunteering
» Find information on International Volunteer Day activities around New Zealand on the Volunteering New Zealand website or from 0800 VOL CNTR
