National Volunteer Week is here, an entire week dedicated to recognising and celebrating volunteer contributions, both big and small.
In the spirit of this year’s National Volunteer Week theme ‘Give a Little, Change a Lot’ I want to remind people that every volunteer contribution is significant, particularly those who feel that it may not be. Some people may not be volunteering as often as they would like or feeling that their contribution is too small to make a difference. Some may feel that giving one hour a week, a few hours each month or one day year isn’t enough to make a difference.
But they do make a difference!
I want to remind people that the value their volunteering is not measured through the number of hours that they give, but by the impact of what they’re doing. That collective ‘impact’ across Tasmania, is estimated to be worth at least $4.9 billion dollars each year, and every single volunteer is contributing to this extraordinary figure.
National Volunteer Week is a great opportunity to raise the profile of volunteering, inspire more participation and encourage all Tasmanians to see and appreciate the volunteers around them.
This afternoon, the winners of the Southern Cross Television Tasmanian Volunteering Awards will be announced at Government House. We very much look forward to sharing those wonderful stories with you.
Volunteering Tasmania will continue to be active all week, all across the island helping our members and partners celebrate. We will be attending many volunteer recognition events, supporting Volunteering Australia’s national media campaign and actively sharing wonderful volunteer stories and moments on social media.
What you can do to help? Simply join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week, and have fun!
We encourage you to engage with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn), tag us in your own #NVW2018 celebrations. Your support during National Volunteer Week will be felt by many Tasmanians.
There is a beautiful saying by Desmond Tutu that says ‘Do a little bit of good where you are. It is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.’
These words are so true for our volunteers across Tasmania.
They are all making a difference, and the week ahead is a perfect time to thank them.
Alison Lai CEO
