Celebrating Northland’s Wonderful Volunteers

Celebrating Northland’s Wonderful Volunteers
Story by Janine Duncan

Throughout June, Volunteering Northland hosted a series of events as part of the Big Shout Out Campaign, which acknowledged and celebrated the many volunteers throughout Northland, who generously donate their time, skills and efforts to uplift and support their communities.

Initiated by Volunteering New Zealand, the nationwide campaign coincided with National Volunteer Week, held from the 15th to the 21st of June.

Organised by Patricia Santos and Verena Pschorn (Volunteering Northland Community Connections Co-ordinators), and attended by Volunteering Northland Staff, a series of celebratory morning and afternoon teas were held in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Whangarei, Dargaville and Mangawhai.

The events hoped to “bring a little bubble of joy”, and “highlight the brightness that shines in our volunteers”, says Patricia. "Each volunteer was acknowledged with a handwritten card, and a small token of appreciation, and invited to share their volunteer experience”. These stories were incredibly inspiring and uplifting, and reinforced the ways in which volunteering empowers and transforms lives. Of particular note was the intergenerational connection made between a young adult student and a long service volunteer, an emergency services volunteer who is now pursuing a career in this profession, and a former art therapy volunteer who has gained employment with the respective organisation.

In line with National Volunteer Week’s theme, “Whiria te tangata” – weaving the people together, - an art display was created by intertwining pieces of cloth containing words or phrases into an art display banner. Each message reflects the meaning and value of volunteering to each individual and their communities. These pieces of art will be displayed at future Volunteering Northland events, serving as ‘’a representation of the collective voices of our community and a token and reminder of the positive impact each volunteer creates in their communities.”, says Patricia.

The events benefitted volunteer attendees by creating opportunities to network, connect and learn from one another, and provide feedback to Volunteering Northland staff. Furthermore, the celebrations reiterated the significance of their work, while also inspiring and motivating them to continue supporting their communities.

Likewise, Volunteering Northland were able to showcase ways they can support community organisations, and hearing so many heartwarming stories reinforced belief in their work’s value. Additionally, gaining volunteer feedback was enormously valuable in terms of improving services, and therefore, more effectively targeting community need.

Overall, the event was a success, with 94 volunteers attending from a diverse range of organisations. The team would like to thank Volunteering New Zealand for partial funding, Fonny Mauren (Volunteering Northland Volunteer) for her assistance, and Far North REAP (Kaitaia), Kaikohe Pioneer Village, St John Ambulance Station Kerikeri, Mahitahi Hauora (Whangarei), The Lighthouse Function Centre (Dargaville), and Mangawhai Boating and Fishing Club for generously providing venues.

Finally, Patricia’s words sum up the contributions volunteer workers add to society. “Our communities cannot survive without our volunteers. Without volunteers, the country would grind to a halt.”