International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay) is an annual event, celebrated each year on 5 November, dedicated to recognising the vital work of Volunteer Managers. It’s a day to recognise and celebrate the profession of volunteer leadership. Established in 1999, it has become a global movement highlighting the unseen efforts that keep volunteer programmes running smoothly.
This year the theme is “What’s our future normal?”
This theme was selected to celebrate the quarter-century milestone and explore our future normal.
Read our response to this thought-provoking question
We look forward to celebrating and exploring this theme with you all as we head towards 5 November. Join the conversation on social media with hashtag #IVMDay24 and tell us what you think our future normal is.
As an official International Volunteer Managers Day supporter, we encourage you to join Volunteering Australia as we celebrate the vital role Managers, Coordinators and Leaders of volunteers play in enabling safe and effective volunteering.
By understanding the value of International Volunteer Manager Day, volunteer involving organisations can show their appreciation for their Volunteer Managers, and Volunteer Managers can leverage the occasion to better advocate for more resources and recognition within their own agencies. This can help to boost morale, reduce staff turnover, and create a more positive working environment.
To all Volunteer Managers, Coordinators, and Leaders of Volunteers: your dedication, innovation, and leadership are transforming communities across Australia. You’re not just managing volunteers; you’re building the bridges that connect passion with purpose, creating lasting social impact that strengthens Australia’s communities.
Countdown to IVMDay24
Resources to Celebrate IVMDay
Social media tiles and banners: Courtesy of the IVMDay Committee.
Logos
Resources for Volunteer Managers
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers
The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers is a formal avenue to improve your knowledge, skills and future employability. Endorsed by Volunteering Australia the CPD Program is currently offered by the VolunteeringACT, Centre for Volunteering (NSW), Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria and Volunteering WA.
Why join CPD?
- Receive a formal certification awarding you the right to have Professional Leaders of Volunteers (PLV) after your name
- Be inspired to up-skill and gain more knowledge
- Promote your point of difference to current and future employers
- Be recognised for the learning you’re already doing, or planning to undertake
Accumulate CPD points through a combination of activities:
- Professional development, events and services offered by your Volunteering Peak Body
- Professional development at your organisation
- Reading relevant industry articles/newsletters
- Mentoring colleagues or members in volunteering management
- Reflective practice
To honour International Volunteer Managers Day, we are highlighting the following resources to support Managers of volunteers. Find resources and tools to help you recruit, train, inspire, maintain, and retain volunteers, enabling your organisation and its volunteers to thrive.
Volunteering Gateway
Volunteering Gateway is your one-stop shop for volunteer management. It has been designed to connect Volunteer Managers, Coordinators and Leaders across Australia with the tools and resources to help them succeed.
Our diverse range of tools and resources have been carefully selected to help you recruit, train, manage, and retain volunteers, improving the volunteer experience and fostering a vibrant community that makes a difference.
Quick Guide to Volunteer Management
The Quick Guide to Volunteer Management provides volunteer management professionals with an introduction to key topics in volunteer involvement. Each section contains links to further resources which provide additional information and tools.
National Volunteering Guide
The National Volunteering Guide is an invaluable resource for organisations managing volunteers. It covers the entire volunteer lifecycle, from recruitment and induction to performance management and the conclusion of volunteer roles. The guide emphasises the importance of a positive volunteer experience, offering practical advice on creating role descriptions, conducting checks, and managing grievances in a fair manner.
Author: Not For Profit Law
Is Your Organisation Accessible?
A checklist to ensure your organisation is accessible to volunteers living with a disability.
Author: Victoria ALIVE, Volunteering Victoria
Engage Journal – The global voice of leaders of volunteer engagement
Engage is a subscription based online journal designed for people who manage volunteers in charities and non-profit organisations.
Author: Engage
Seven Steps to Volunteer Management Success
Tips on how to best support volunteers and volunteer involvement.
Author: Leep
Events
Volunteering Australia
Forum for Professional Leaders of Volunteers
This online event for participants of the Continuing Professional Development program for Professional Leaders of Volunteers (CPD PLV) is an opportunity to participate in a national forum, learn from experiences from across the country, and share stories.
VolunteeringWA
Volunteering Research Network Breakfast
Join us for a light breakfast from 8:00am to 9:30am on Tuesday, 5 November and meet others engaged in volunteering research in WA.
Our guest speakers Susannah Wills-Johnson, WA Council of State School Organisations, and Dr Katherine Sugars, Murdoch University will be presenting on their research project “Volunteer engagement — Building parent participation in P&Cs across Western Australia.”
Harnessing AI for Social Media
Join a free workshop supporting leaders of volunteers on International Volunteer Managers Day. This workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to harness the power of AI for your organisation’s social media.
Volunteering ACT
2024 Volunteer Leaders Seminar – VolunteeringACT
VolunteeringACT proudly invites you to be part of the 2024 Volunteer Leaders Seminar.
The event provides a valuable platform for sharing best practices, exploring emerging trends and creating connections among volunteer leaders.
Centre for Volunteering (NSW)
Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation
Inclusion matters. This engaging workshop for both individuals and organisations will explore how to build an inclusive community where people of all abilities and backgrounds can contribute.
Volunteering Queensland
Making it easier to make a difference: volunteer management in a digital age
In celebration of Queensland’s tireless volunteer leaders, we are hosting a complimentary, face to face workshop for volunteer managers prior to our 2024 AGM on 7 November
