Media Release
18 June 2013
Volunteering New Zealand
Plenty of ways to acknowledge volunteers
Volunteers are in the spotlight as Aotearoa celebrates National Volunteer Week (16-22 June 2013).
Vanisa Dhiru, Chief Executive of Volunteering New Zealand says people and organisations across the nation can nominate outstanding volunteers for their commitment to their communities in a variety of ways.
“It’s is great to see volunteers nominated for awards and thanked for their service. Acknowledging volunteers is important for creating a strong volunteer force and community spirit”, says Vanisa.
A new inspirational story telling initiative, BeCause, is taking nominations for young people aged 16-30 leading change and making a difference in their communities. Nominations close Friday June 21.
Nominations opened this week for the 2014 Kiwi Bank New Zealander of the Year.
Vanisa says, “To be nominated for the New Zealander of the Year Awards is a great honour, and a great way to recognise the work and achievements of outstanding New Zealanders”.
This week Health Minister Tony Ryall and Police Minister Anne Tolley present awards to health and public safety volunteers across the country.
But award programmes are not the only way to recognise volunteers.
“Not everyone likes to be acknowledged in a public way. Sometimes a quiet thank you, a simple smile or other form of recognition can be just as adequate for volunteers to keep up their community spirit we are so proud of,” says Vanisa.
Volunteering New Zealand (VNZ) is an association of New Zealand organisations that have a commitment to volunteering, such as volunteer centres, national and other organisations. Their mission is to promote, support and advocate for volunteering. www.volunteeringnz.org.nz
BeCause - www.because.org.nz
NZ Awards – www.nzawards.org.nz
ENDS