Preparing to host two workshops at the Centre for Participation on June 25, INTERNATIONAL volunteering expert Rob Jackson, who will make his third visit to Horsham in June, believes now is an important time for the Australian volunteering movement.
UK basedMr Jackson, whose background includes leading and managing volunteers and volunteering programs for over 20 years, will discuss customer service and volunteering, and myths of volunteer management.
“I’m excited to be returning to Horsham for my third visit in a little over two years,”Mr Jackson said.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Centre for Participation and many other Wimmera organisations in my previous training sessions and I always receive a warm welcome; the hospitality, friendliness and commitment of volunteer managers in the region is exceptional and so welcome when you are on the other side of the world,” he said. The customer service and volunteering workshop will help participants understand the importance of good customer service in volunteer programs, and what they can do to improve the service they provide.
Expectations
“Whether we like it or not, our societies are increasingly consumer-driven and we all now have higher expectations of our interactions with business and service providers than we did a decade ago,” Mr Jackson said. “We expect fast responses to questions, speedy delivery of purchases and a high standard of professionalism in our dealing with others. Volunteering is not immune to this,” he said.
“As the old cliche goes ‘you only have one chance to make a good impression’, so Volunteer Involving Organisations and Volunteer Managers have to be highly attuned to delivering great customer service to existing and potential volunteers.” “I hope people will pick up some hints and tips about how to deliver great customer service in their work with volunteers and leave the workshop with some actionable steps to further improve their work.”
Myths
During the Myths of Volunteer Management workshop,Mr Jackson will explore some of the common myths about volunteers and volunteering, like “volunteers can’t handle confidential information”, “volunteers take people’s jobs”, and “volunteers are less effective than paid staff”, in a bid to assist attendees in sharpening their arguments and to stand up for their work.
Book your place now, seats limited
Venue: Centre for Participation
Date: Monday 25 June 2018
Cost: $40 pp for one workshop or $65 pp for both workshops
