Volunteering
Volunteering is the life blood of a small, regional community like ours. Without our valued volunteers there are many events and services that simply would not happen.
To foster a thriving volunteering culture in our community a working group of volunteers with the support of Break O’Day Council and Volunteering Tasmania developed a Volunteering Strategy
Our shared vision for volunteering in Break O’Day is:
Break O’Day has a strong culture of volunteering that provides meaningful community connections and values giving back.
Volunteer organisations have access to all they need to support a sustainable and thriving volunteer culture in Break O’Day.
How to use the Strategy
Pick a focus area to work through that is most important to your group
Find something that might be easy to start with
Take it to the committee at the next meeting to see how it can be incorporated into your organisation
Reach out to the council for support on how you might get started on using the strategy in a practical way
Premiere Film Screening
Tuesday 14 May
3.30 – 5.30 pm
Easy Tiger Cinema
7 Pendrigh Place, St Helens
Please RSVP to Break O’Day Council
More details below.
- Wanting to volunteer?
- Meet some local volunteers
- Volunteer Film Festival - Premiere Film Screening - 14 May - Easy Tiger Cinema
- Resources for volunteering organisations
Are you looking for ways to volunteer in your community?
Express your interest
If you would like to some help to find volunteering opportunities, please complete Volunteer Expression of Interest form
Send to admin@bodc.tas.gov.au and we will send you information about current opportunities and let you know where else you can look.
Find a Community Group
You can also contact community groups directly. For a list of Community Groups in our area and their contact information see here.
Volunteering Opportunities
If you are a group or organisation and would like to promote your volunteering opportunity on this page.
Please send your details on this form. Or get in touch with community services at community.services@bodc.tas.gov.au or call 6376 7900.
Some Current Local Opportunities – SCROLL (updated April 2023)
Some of the reasons why our wonderful local volunteers love giving back to their community…
| “I volunteer to keep my brain active and I enjoy helping people” Amanda, St Helens Online Access Centre |
| “I volunteer to give back to the community” Dave, St Helens Online Access Centre |
| “I volunteer because I like to give back to community, love meeting new people, enjoy the
other volunteers’ friendship” Heather, Meals on Wheels |
| “I volunteer because of the great range of people I meet” Christine, St Helens Tip Shop |
| “I volunteer because I met Richard Flanagan at the St Helens Tip Shop” Glenny, St Helens Tip Shop |
| “I volunteer because I love cleaning and recycling” Volunteer, St Helens Tip Shop |
| “I volunteer to make people happy by listening to music. So get up and dance” The Tone, Star FM |
| “I volunteer because I love community” Caitlin, Youth Collective of North East Coast Tasmania |
| “To see people smile and be included” Bridget, Volunteering Tasmania |
| “To help communicate, encourage happy feelings and to improve health and friendship through gardening” Peggy, Scamander Garden Club |
| “My obligation as a member of this awesome community” Volunteer, St Helens Marine Rescue |
| “I volunteer to help those in need, protect, educate , prevent, save lives and property” Volunteer, St Helens Fire Brigade |
| “I volunteer because I need to for myself – mental wellbeing is essential to be healthy!” Volunteer, St Mary’s Op Shop |
| “I volunteer because I like to think I’m helping other people in my community” Volunteer, St Mary’s Op Shop |
| “I volunteer because it makes me happy and I enjoy contributing to my community :)” Volunteer, St Mary’s Op Shop |
| “I volunteer because Lions’ motto is ‘We Serve’ and I enjoy giving back to the community. Making new friends and meeting the public, talking about all of the Lions programs” Ursula, St Helens Lions Club |
Volunteer Film Festival
14 May
Volunteers in Break O’Day are making films about their volunteering.
Help them CELEBRATE and DISCOVER more about volunteering in Break O’Day at the Premiere Film Screening on 14 May 3.30-5.30PM
RSVP by 30 April to Council on 6376 7900.
Ask for Chris, Jenna or Leah Community.services@bodc.tas.gov.au
Together we will show that volunteering in Break O’Day has something for everyone!
Films will be screen on Facebook during National Volunteer Week too, 20-26 May.
Here’s a clip made by our Community Services team about the Break O’Day Learner Driver Mentor Program that we will be including in the Film Festival. We can’t wait to see yours!
FORMS and GUIDES
Volunteer Film Festival REGISTRATION FORM Register by 15 March. This will make it easier for us to plan how we help you if you need any assistance to create your clip.
Volunteer Film Festival GUIDELINES and PROMPTS Use our PROMPTS to help you decide what things to include. Check the GUIDELINES to answer all your questions about what to do and how to do it. If you already have a film or a clip chat to us. You might be ready to submit now!
Volunteer Film Festival EDITING SOFTWARE LIST Use this handy list to help you find FREE and easy to use software to make and edit your clip. Keep it simple and fun!
Volunteer-Film-Festival-CONSENT-FORM Everyone in your film who can be identified must give their consent. Submit these forms with your film but ask them before you film them too. Make sure they know that the films will be shared into the future online.
Volunteer-Film-Festival-U18-CONSENT Use this consent form for anyone Under 18 years of age. They need the consent of a parent or guardian. Submit these forms with your film but ask them before you film them too. Make sure they know that the films will be shared into the future online.
Volunteer-Film-Festival-SUBMISSION-FORM-and-EVALUATION Submit this form, with your consent forms, via email when you submit your film via Dropbox by 30 April.
SUBMIT YOUR FILM HERE >>> Dropbox Link
If you are having trouble uploading your film to Dropbox please make sure it is 2GB or less. We need to empty the Dropbox each time so please tell us when you have uploaded so we can download your film to make room for the next one 🙂 Send your forms via email to community.services@bodc.tas.gov.au
REMEMBER:- This is not a film competition | Just have a go and have fun | Keep it simple | Ask for help
Need more information?
Call or email Break O’Day Council on 6376 7900
Ask for Chris, Jenna or Leah Community.services@bodc.tas.gov.au
Fostering a culture of volunteerism in Break O’Day
When we worked with our volunteering community to develop a Volunteering Strategy for Break O’Day we identified some things that volunteer organisations could use to ensure their volunteers feel connected and safe in their roles. Here are some of the things volunteers told us:
- They felt reassured when the organisation had clear policies and procedures in place.
- When considering volunteering, potential volunteers have to weigh up the costs, transport and time required to participate and people with disability with must also consider accessibility to facilities and activities.
- When deciding whether to volunteer, potential volunteers wanted to understand what the expectations of the volunteering role was so they could make an informed decision around committing to volunteering.
- A Volunteer Organisation that provides a welcoming and safe environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity is highly desired by potential volunteers.
To help Volunteer Organisations in Break O’Day give their potential volunteers the information they need to make an informed decision – we have put together the following resources:
Guide to Onboarding_ Induction Checklist
Orientation for New Volunteers
Template_Volunteer Role Descriptions_Feb 2021
Additional Resources
Volunteering Profile 2029: Break O’Day Local Government Area
National Volunteer Week 2024: ‘Something for Everyone’
National Volunteer Week 2024 will recognise the diverse passions and talents everyone brings to the act of volunteering.
Find out more
International Volunteer Day
International Volunteer Day (IVD) mandated by the UN General Assembly, is held each year on 5 December. It is viewed as a unique chance for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, to share their values, and to promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), United Nations agencies, government authorities and the private sector.
Apart from mobilising thousands of volunteers every year, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program contributes to peace and development by advocating for the recognition of volunteers and working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming.
UNV coordinates International Volunteer Day on 5 December every year to recognise and promote the tireless work, not just of UN Volunteers, but of volunteers across the globe. Every day, volunteers dedicate time and effort to ensure the inclusion of those often left behind, drive climate action and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Find out more about International Volunteer Day at Volunteering Australia
Learn about the Sustainable Development Goals at wellbeingaction.org/live-simply-and-well