S.U.N.G.O. holds volunteerism skills training

23 October 2017, 12:00AM

The Samoa Umbrella of Non Government Organisation (S.U.N.G.O) hosted a Volunteerism Skills training for C.S.Os last week.

The five-day course was conducted for 14 people from the various N.G.O’s and C.B.O’s around Samoa.

Volunteers play a key role in not-for-profit organizations. They provide their time free of charge which allows the organization to expand its services and activities. 

They provide valuable skills or talents that the organization lacks. They also bring valuable perspectives, since they themselves often directly benefit from the organization’s work. 

Volunteers can inspire and motivate paid personnel, presenting an open, participatory image of the organization, and spreading the word about its work and its cause. 

The rising growth of the N.G.O sector in Samoa has also brought forward the rising need of volunteerism locally to implement activities pertaining to civil society.

 The nature of N.G.O work needs in place a volunteerism system to both align the principles of volunteerism in Samoa with the international level of volunteerism worldwide and helps to serve the workforce of N.G.O. 

Volunteerism is a living practice mechanism in Samoa whereby our culture, church and other activities are carried out by individuals on daily basis without recognising that their work parallels with the principles of volunteerism. 

The international recognition of volunteerism brings attention to its current practice locally and it deserves a chance to be taught for N.G.Os and civil society members in our country. 

Volunteerism plays a vital role to better implement the core services of NGOs and it will contribute to the awareness of our community the recognition of volunteerism principles. 

Most of S.U.N.GO members’ services deliver for our people and the continuous upholding of cooperative working environment had attracted quality volunteers who are keen to share their expertise with the organization.

Therefore it is for the People and for the healthy growth of the organization that appropriate measures are laid out to accommodate and recognize the service of the Volunteers and that the service is constructively utilized for a successful outcome. 

Lineta Tamnikaiyaroi, Director O.C.P.D.C.E – N.U.S. and Rosa Maulolo from S.U.N.G.O were both there from the outset of the programme. Tamnikaiyaroi delivered the key note speech upon the presentation of certificates.

By the end of the training, participants will now be able to:

• Identify and discuss key features which influence the employment of suitable staff including volunteers

• evaluate the mechanism of a stable workplace for volunteers/paid staff

• Develop policies and procedures to motivate and retain volunteers and staff.

• Develop an employment agreement and design systems of implementation for volunteers.

• Design and implement personnel management procedures which reinforce the goals of the organisation.

The trainer for the week long course was Reverend Dr. Siaosi Salesulu.

23 October 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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