ISSUE 1

JUNE 2013

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

VOLUNTEER NEWS
Promoting and Sustaining Volunteerism in Guyana

Welcome to our first issue!

Welcome to the first issue of Volunteer News! This quarterly newsletter is published by the Volunteerism Support Platform (VSP), a national organization that works to promote volunteerism nation-wide. History of the Platform In 2010, a collaborative research project was undertaken, sponsored by three key partners Voluntary Services Overseas (now Cuso International), the United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS). This project focused on the current state of volunteerism in Guyana and assessed the feasibility of a volunteer support platform. An electronic copy of the full report can be obtained from the VSP. The research report and recommendations were launched on November 4, 2011 and form the basis of the current Volunteerism Support Platform initiative. The Platform Today Housed within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the platform aims to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of volunteerism within Guyana through partnership with government, private sector and civil society. The platform will particularly focus on the involvement of youth, and ensuring a greater contribution from volunteer-involving organizations and volunteers towards meeting international and national development goals, thereby
Recruitment and mobilization Referral and data collection Training, institutional strengthening and advocacy

improving the lives of individuals and communities. The platform is based on three strategic pillars of activities:
VOLUNTEERISM

IN THIS ISSUE
EDITORIAL PG 1 Learn about the mandate and activities of the Volunteerism Support Platform VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TRAINING PG 2 Read about a volunteer management systems training session offered in April 2013 UPCOMING EVENTS PG 2 Learn about upcoming events and about how you can share information and get involved through this newsletter ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS PG 3 Read more about some inspiring volunteers and volunteer programming in Guyana ACTION LEARNING NETWORK PG 4 Read about the discussions on advocacy in the voluntary sector from the March 2013 Action Learning Network session

The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight, support and engage the voluntary sector and volunteer involving organizations. This issue highlights some of the initiatives which the VSP has been involved with in the last few months, as well as of other organizations. This issue also provides you with tools and resources on the topic of Advocacy in the Voluntary Sector to help strengthen the work of your organization. A number of new activities will also be launched by the VSP in the coming months. A database to connect volunteers with organizations in the non-profit, public and private sectors will be up and running, along with a website sharing information to support the development of volunteer management programs. Your feedback on the newsletter or ideas for article submission is welcomed. We hope you enjoy this issue!

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS JUNE June 14: Action Learning Network Contact VSP to register JULY July 26: Action Learning Network Contact VSP to register

Volunteer Management Systems Training

Participants at the VMS workshop

IN UPCOMING ISSUES Links to useful tools and resources Volunteer management tips and advice Q & As Information on volunteer opportunities News and announcements from members And much more!

On April 25 and 26, 2013, the Volunteerism Support Platform hosted its first Volunteer Management Systems training workshop, drawing 28 participants from both the public and voluntary sectors. While many organizations in Guyana involve volunteers in their work, there is a need to provide standard procedures and tools to guide the management of national volunteers. The aim of the workshop was therefore to help volunteer managers and volunteer coordinators to gain a better understanding of the methods and skills involved in setting up systems that help to make the most effective use of volunteers in their own organizations. Through the training, the participants were expected to follow the many steps involved in the volunteer management cycle, which includes: planning of the program, placement development, recruitment, selection, induction and support, recognition and retention, volunteer and program evaluation, and volunteer policies. Further, participants would be able to appropriately measure and document the work their volunteers do and the contributions they make to the particular service sectors. MCYS Minister Dr. Frank Anthony made concluding remarks which acknowledged the tremendous value that

NGOs can have in reaching out to communities and supporting voluntary work. He also encouraged other NGOs to come on board and expressed hope that they will be able to provide more services to the NGO sector. The 28 participants included staff from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport from Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10, as well as representatives from various nonprofit and community-based organizations in Georgetown including the Caribbean Youth Environment Network, Red Thread, Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Lions/Lioness Club of Demerara, Civil Defense Commission, National Commission on Disabilities, Lifeline Counselling Services and Community Based Rehabilitation. The course content was developed from a collaborative effort between Cuso International and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) of the University of Guyana in 2012.

If you would like to contribute to our next issue through an article, member announcement, question or other material, please get in touch!

Volunteer Inspiration: Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead, American anthropologist

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JUNE 2013

Organization Spotlight: Presidents Youth Award for Republic of Guyana

Newly trained PYARG unit leaders

If you know a young person whos involved in a program which combines physical recreation, skills training, adventurous journeys and volunteer service, chances are that the person may be involved in the Presidents Youth Award for Republic of Guyana Medal of Service (PYARG MS) program. Based on an Award Programme launched in Britain in 1956, the PYARG MS program started in Guyana in 1998 in order to encourage youth aged 14 to 25 to improve their own standards, to share the excitement and satisfaction of achievement and to enjoy their efforts. Participants are able to follow their existing interests or develop new ones within the four activity areas mentioned above. The program has been extremely

successful in promoting and encouraging a spirit of volunteerism. In 2013 alone, the program has registered nearly 2700 volunteers. This is in addition to the approximately 70 people who volunteer as Unit Leaders for each youth group or as adult volunteers who support the program through skills training, supervision etc. According to Ms. Alicia Roache, Regional Field Officer with the program, Volunteering is not just about doing things for people without being paid.volunteering helps persons to meet new people, and most importantly, become more experienced. The program is not competitive and there is no cost to join except for the provision of materials. For more information about PYARG, contact the program office at 226-9078.

LOOK OUT FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE! The Volunteerism Support Platform will be launching its website and database this summer to connect individuals with volunteer-involving organizations. Register with us to get involved! Contact the platform by email at nvspguyana@gmail.com or by phone at 592-2277575
VSP STAFF Ms. Pere DeRoy, Projects Officer Ms. Lesley Abraham, Volunteerism and Youth Development Specialist (Cuso International Volunteer) Ms. Glenna Toney, Acting Director of Youth VSP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mr. Rawle Small, Habitat for Humanity Ms. Taramattie Persaud, Cuso International Ms. Michiru Ito, United Nations Volunteers Ms. Geraldine Maison-Hall, Community Based Rehabilitation Ms. Goldie Scott, Volunteer Youth Corps Ms. Jennifer Cipriani, Scotiabank

Volunteer Spotlight
Name: Marvin Hasani Drakes, volunteering since 2003 Occupation: Engineering Student, University of Guyana Volunteer Activities: Dance Instructor and Choreographer at Christ Church Secondary School, Part-time Teacher at Marian Academy, Leader at PYARG Why he Volunteers: I volunteer to change lives; to make what I learned over the years accessible to others, and to engage youth of Guyana in meaningful activities that steers them away from the ills of society. The satisfactory participation of volunteering in a leadership capacity is challenging and allows me to set goals and reach my ultimatums enhancing my interpersonal development as a young adult. Volunteering is now a part of a selfless, developed me that I can't do without.

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Volunteerism Support Platform Hosts Action Learning Network Session for NGOs
On Friday, March 22, the Volunteerism Support Platform of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport hosted its second Action Learning Network (ALN) event of 2013 at the GNS Sports Complex. The ALN was attended by 15 representatives from various Non-Governmental Organizations and the topic for the session was focused on The Need to Increase Advocacy in the Voluntary Sector. The ALN session was facilitated by Karen de Souza from Red Thread, a local Non-Governmental Organization. Ms. de Souzas presentation engaged the attendees on what the voluntary sector is and the sectors capacity to effectively advocate as a sector within its own right. Stemming from the presentation, de Souza noted that the voluntary sector is referred to as 'the third sector' and the 'civil society' sector. It is made up of organizations such as charities, community groups, social enterprises, cooperatives and clubs that provide services in areas such as health, education, environmental work, arts, sports, campaigning and advocacy. More so, the voluntary sector is comprised of organizations that are independent of government, not run for financial gain, and grounded and managed by value-driven voluntary services. She noted that advocacy is a form of actively supporting a cause, collaborating with others to do the same, speaking up, drawing attention to a significant issue, and directing policy makers towards a solution. During the session, it was expressed that the voluntary sector can only emerge with its own voice, holding a substantial degree of clout, when organizations within the sector have clarity in the purpose of their existence; this means having a clear view or understanding of the issues they want to address. Having clarity for ones existence strengthens the need for purpose, voice and action on the issues that organizations are mobilizing to address. De Souza noted that the voluntary sector within Guyana lacks the capacity to be seen as a sector with its own voice because many organizations within: 1. lack a sense of grounded purpose which in turn

2.

3.

mutes their voice and discourages action; are affected by the funding model which causes organizations to become isolated as they compete for funding, thereby decreasing the scope for the creation of a supportive environment; lack the ability to collectively shape key decisions in society especially on issues that affect their mandates and those other service providers.

De Souza also further identified the lack of sectoral safeguards and regulations as a factor that affects the advocacy capability of the voluntary sector. Karen de Souza noted that organizations within the voluntary sector can use several tactics to make their voice heard. This includes media briefing, participation in relevant agenda-setting activities, networking, openly questioning how policies are implemented, political lobbying, promoting legislative change (via proposal of policy solutions), and engaging in forums that allow information and opinions to be disseminated and known (via debates) on particular issues. To feel the impact of advocacy or to increase its impact, the voluntary sector must engage with and mobilize policy makers, their partners, their direct beneficiaries and most of all, those individuals, groups and or organizations that are opposing their mandates. The attendees of the ALN stated that they enjoyed the topic and the opportunity to participate in an interactive roundtable discussion.

Ms. Karen de Souza, Red Thread

Founded in 2012 with support from Cuso International, the aim of the Action Learning Network is to provide a regular forum for information-sharing and networking to build the capacity of the voluntary sector in Guyana. Sessions are held every six weeks and are open to all organizations with a voluntary basis and/or NonGovernmental basis. For more information or to register, please contact the Volunteerism Support Platform at 592227-7575 or at nvspguyana@gmail.com.

Volunteerism Support Platform Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport 71-72 Main Street South Cummingsburg, Georgetown Office Number: 592-227-7575 Email: nvspguyana@gmail.com