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Free Course - Step Into Voluntary WorkVictoria to capitalise on volunteers through the Australian Multicultural Foundation’s program "Step into Voluntary Work" funded through the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund. By Australian Multicultural Foundation - 9th June 2004 - Back to News Developed for Volunteer Coordinators and the staff of voluntary organisations, the course aims to bring about greater diversity within the voluntary sector. The course content includes skills in how to recruit and retain volunteers from diverse language and cultural backgrounds. This very successful training program will be held in Sale in early July.
The Hon John Pandazopoulos MP, Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, said "funding for Step into Voluntary Work was from the Bracks Government's Community Support Fund, which returns gambling revenue to new projects in partnership with the community. Under this Government, a proper share of funds is being returned to communities in need, and to projects which deliver genuine community benefit such as Step into Voluntary Work", he said. "This Government is committed to supporting projects such as Step into Voluntary Work as volunteers are an essential part of our civic life and this is true in ethnic communities as well", Mr Pandazopoulos said.
Mr Hass Dellal OAM, Executive Director of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, said, "for many people from diverse cultural backgrounds, voluntary work within their own communities is the first step on the way to broadening involvement in the wider community. We believe that this course will connect Volunteer Coordinators with people from diverse cultures in their local communities".
Mrs Rosa Schirato, President of the International Women’s Group from the La Trobe Valley, said "this is a great opportunity for staff from local volunteer organisations to receive free professional training. People in rural areas often don’t think that diversity issues are relevant to their organisation, but it is just that people from other cultures are not being accessed. The course will also bring about greater awareness of how to attract new volunteers to your organisation".
The program is managed by the Australian Multicultural Foundation and designed by Judith Miralles & Associates.
The free three-day course will be held in Sale on July the 5th, 6th & 14th.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

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