Building communities through volunteering was the theme for this the 2012 Volunteer Awareness Week and “it’s happening around us all the time” said Heather McClintock, Project Coordinator for Volunteering Central.“ I am privileged to meet so many people often busy with their own priorities, wanting to volunteer and I am inspired by each and every person’s story and motive. It is heartening to meet young and old with such honest and good intentions.”
People volunteer for many reasons, to gain new knowledge and interests, meet new people and to make a difference. Some are completely devoted to the cause, while others simply wish to do their bit where they can. One of the more obvious reasons why people volunteer is because they find something they are passionate about and want to do something good for others. People who volunteer in their community have a personal attachment to the area and want to make it a better place for themselves and for others. People who have themselves struggled with social issues usually have a certain empathy for those in a similar situation and will often wish to help out. Many people who volunteer think that they are very fortunate to live the way they do and want to give something back to society, as a way of balancing the scales. All these great people build and maintain our communities through volunteering and we just could not do without them.
Te Kakano Aotearoa Trust in Wanaka is a community based native plant nursery which specialises in propogating plants of local origin for habitat restoration. They work with local community groups, schools, organisations & businesses in the Upper Clutha Basin in the effort to inspire the community to become closer to the land. Te Kakano attracts large groups of volunteers to support their planting programmes. One typical Saturday in early June, 46 like minded volunteers broke through the frozen ground in Roys Bay to plant 200 new trees. The programme operates solely on the kind generosity of donations & grants from the general public and organisations and relies on volunteers whom they could not operate without.
The volunteers come from all parts of the world, some local regulars and some just passing through town, all getting a great deal of satisfaction from contributing to a historical project, planting a tree that will be there for the future. Some bring their children who learn the value of creating beauty and planting something of permanence. These volunteers enjoy getting their hands dirty out in the fresh air, caring for our environment by re-building native habitats one plant at a time while meeting others to socialise with over a hot drink and a snack.
The strength and resilience gained from these volunteering experiences build communities as repeatedly demonstrated over past years by those building and re-building communities affected by natural and environmental disaster.
Volunteering Central assists non-profit organisations find skilled and appropriate volunteers for a whole range of roles in 4 main hubs, Queenstown, Cromwell, Alexandra and Wanaka. In addition to the referral service we provide training and networking opportunities, support and advice, vacancy alerts to all volunteers via our database and regular news from the regions.
To find out more about volunteering in your region go to: www.volunteeringotago.org.nz or contact Heather by email: centralvolunteering@gmail.com
Please credit photo: copyright to Te Kakano Trust
