Working effectively with volunteers, and showing appreciation for their efforts are top priorities for recently appointed Volunteering Otago manager Leisa de Klerk.
A former teacher in New Zealand and overseas, Ms de Klerk came to Volunteering Otago from Red Cross Otago, where she held roles in community transport, volunteer leadership with former refugees and the disaster team.
"There is definitely a lot we can do to work well with volunteers in both a professional and personal way,'' Ms de Klerk said.
"Often it is around the ways we show appreciation for the time, effort and work volunteers put in for organisations.
"Training is also important.''
Through her previous work, Ms de Klerk had a good understanding of the voluntary sector in Dunedin, and had ideas on how to help strengthen it.
Volunteer Otago board chairman Andrew Whiley said the organisation was looking at which areas volunteers were most needed, and where there were volunteers available.
"One area is the new migrant sector, where there can be the spouses of people who have come to the city for jobs who are trying to acclimatise and engage in the city,'' Mr Whiley said.
"We are trying to build a network with these people, which would be beneficial to everyone.''
Ms de Klerk said volunteers came from all walks of life and fulfilled vital roles in many social sector organisations.
There were also many "unseen'' volunteers, such as the people who supported family members, who were also of great importance.
"Volunteering is the backbone of New Zealand.''
Ms de Klerk will be working to strengthen relationships between Volunteering Otago and other not-for-profit organisations, and will be offering support in dealing with volunteers.
"We are here to assist organisations to look after their volunteers, and to help look after them as well,'' she said.
"We hope to be able to provide expert advice and mentoring.''
Volunteering Otago employs three staff, including Alan Shanks, who took on the role of temporary manager in recent months, and stays on in a part-time capacity.
"We want to thank Alan for his efforts,'' Mr Whiley said.
The organisation also recently moved to the ground floor of Community House, in order to be more accessible to visitors.
"We want to be as engaged and visible as possible.''
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
