ISSUE 3

DECEMBER 2013

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport

VOLUNTEER NEWS
Promoting and Sustaining Volunteerism in Guyana

Celebrating International Volunteer Day

The Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport (MCYS), in collaboration with Cuso International, in a simple ceremony commemorated International Volunteer Day (IVD) on the 5th December, 2013. The Theme for IVD 2013 is Youth. Global. Active. The Volunteerism Support Platform of MCYS used the day to celebrate and recognize the contributions and achievements of volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations across the world for their contributions to peace and development in their communities, and at other levels. However, special tribute was paid to the contribution of youth volunteers in global peace and sustainable human development in the VSPs launched IVD 2013 video highlighting youth volunteers as agents of change as they participate to transform lives and communities. The occasion was attended by Cuso International Representative Taramattie Persaud, Japan International Co-, operation Agency (JICA)/Caricom representative Taku Yoshida and Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, distinguished guests from Peace Corps Guyana, European Union Delegation, International and National Volunteers, heads and representatives from national and community based volunteer-involving organsiations, students, and other individuals from the general public. Minister Anthony, while delivering remarks, noted that the Ministry has been working with several partners on the volunteerism platform to create an umbrella body where persons who are interested in volunteering can have a place to interact. He further referenced some of the very good partners who have been able to give support across
Dr. Frank Anthony Minister of MCYS; Ms. Taramattie Persaud-Cuso International Mr. Taku Yoshida-JICA and Mr. Derek Lambe-EU

the services spectrum, while acknowledging without their input, change would not have been achieved. Some of these areas include health, education, environment and other key areas. Minister Anthony emphasized that for volunteerism to be institutionalized the programme must be started early. He explained that volunteerism programmes can be started in the secondary schools by introducing volunteer clubs. He further expressed that the MCYS has been engaging several secondary schools in the city to start such a programme and called on the volunteer groups to assist the Ministry is pursuing this effort. In his closing, he expressed volunteerism as providing the platform for civic engagement individuals and organisations. In her presentation, Country Representative for CUSO International, Ms. Taramattie Persaud noted that the theme of this years IVD is very important as the role of youth in development is considered. She stated that in Guyana the role of the youth has been seen, and this is evident in the development of the National Youth Policy and other initiative which captured youth making a difference in their communities.

IN THIS ISSUE
CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY PG 1 Learn about this years IVD celebrations in Guyana LETTER FROM VSP PG 2 Update from VSP staff CARRIBEAN STUDY TOUR PG 2 Highlights from the Caribbean Volunteerism Study Tour CALENDAR OF EVENTS PG 2 Learn about upcoming events and about how you can share information and get involved through this newsletter ORGANIZATION AND VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS PG 3 Read about some inspiring volunteers and volunteer programming in Guyana ACTION LEARNING NETWORK PG 4 Read about the discussions on funding and social media from the September and October Action Learning Network sessions

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DECEMBER 2013

CALENDAR OF EVENTS DECEMBER December 1: World AIDS Day December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities December 5: International Volunteer Day JANUARY January 10: Action Learning Network FEBRUARY February 21: Action Learning Network

Celebrating International Volunteer Day (Cont.)

Ms. Persaud indicated that while those achievements are being celebrated, everyone should challenge themselves to make more sustainable changes in society. She emphasized that the importance of volunteerism is reinforced with the volunteer taskforce that has been set up to look at integrating volunteering in the 2015 development agenda. Further, in two years time a comprehensive framework will be developed to address poverty, inequality and other key areas of concern, therefore, it is important us to provide the enabling environment for this framework. During the ceremony, Mr. Yoshida launched the 2014 Volunteerism calendar. Mr Yoshida expressed that the calendar highlighted and promoted the various service sectors volunteers and civil society organisations are involved in, and to commemorate the Japan CARICOM Friendship Year for the year 2014.

Caribbean Volunteerism Study Tour

From October 21-25, VSP staff travelled to Jamaica to join representatives from around the region on the Caribbean Volunteerism Study Tour sponsored by Cuso International. The main objective of the tour was to provide an opportunity for regional-wide dialogue on the role and importance of volunteerism to sustainable development in the Caribbean and to exchange strategies and best practice approaches currently being used in the Region to create an enabling environment and to drive participation in volunteerism. VSP staff participated in a Roundtable Workshop to share experiences and best practices from the model being used in Guyana. VSP was also a panellist at a public symposium which aimed to facilitate a wide dialogue on volunteerism; over 50 people attended the second event from. The study tour also included field visits to local volunteer-involving organizations, including the JN Foundation, the Jamaica Diaspora Institute, the Victim Support Unit and Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Organizations represented included the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of

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Dominica, the Volunteer Centre of Trinidad and Tobago, the United Nations Volunteer program based in Barbados, the VSP from Guyana, the National Volunteering Coordinator from Cuso International from Canada as well as numerous organizations based in Jamaica. All participating organizations were able to share their varied and unique experience in encouraging volunteerism. Of particular interest were the various models targeting youth and diaspora populations, as well as innovative models to engage the private sector in voluntary activities. The study tour emphasized the importance of volunteerism across the Caribbean region, and demonstrated that volunteerism can be a powerful force for change among all sectors.

Volunteer Inspiration: Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud. Helen Dyer, American biochemist and cancer researcher

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DECEMBER 2013

Organization Spotlight: Scotiabank

programme for several years in their community while the Robb Street branch has raised millions of dollars for cancer awareness and prevention programmes. The Parika branch has worked with several schools and orphanages in their community, repainting an orphanage and building bookshelves for a school library. The Carmichael Street branch conducts an annual blood donation drive and organise Valentine's Day lunch for the elderly, while more recently they raised funds for Habitat for Humanity by hosting a Fashion Show and Party. As a Scotiabanker, volunteering is quite rewarding. Apart from feeling great about helping others, employees get a chance to win significant cash awards for their favourite charity through the Bank's International Philanthropic Awards, launched in 2008 to reward employees for their volunteering efforts. Over the past few years, Guyana has done exceptionally well, winning most award categories. In 2013, the Bright Future Programme in Guyana recorded its best performance ever with 70 initiatives and over 1300 volunteer hours benefitting over 24,000 children and more than 2000 adults. Together, we can make a monumental difference. Together, we can build brighter futures for everyone.

Letter from the VSP

In the last few months at the VSP, weve hosted a booth at GuyExpo, delivered a 2-day Volunteer Management Systems training workshop, held three Action Learning Network sessions reaching 130 organizational representatives and volunteers, participated in a regional volunteerism study tour in Jamaica, helped support the development of a national youth policy and celebrated International Volunteer Day In the next few months, the Platform will continue to support organizations and individuals as they engage in voluntary activities. Keep up to date through our website, Facebook or by contacting us at anytime. Until the next issue, Ms. Pere DeRoy and Ms. Lesley ________________________

Parika branch staff making bookshelves to donate to the Salem Primary School.

The Scotiabank Bright Future Programme was launched some five years ago to unite the Bank's philanthropic initiatives. The program brings together the passion of employees, the insight of partners and the spirit of communities, with the belief that together, we can bring hope and prosperity to the nation's children. Under this comprehensive programme, the Bank channels money and employee volunteer hours towards initiatives that benefit mostly children and the under-privileged in the areas of health, education, sports and social well-being. Scotiabank encourages employee volunteerism individually and at the departmental level. Each branch and unit have their own Bright Future projects that they undertake annually, with support from management. For example, the New Amsterdam branch conducted a literacy

VSP STAFF Ms. Pere DeRoy, Projects Officer Ms. Lesley Abraham, Volunteerism and Youth Development Specialist (Cuso International Volunteer) VSP ADVISORY COMMITTEE Mr. Trevor Benn, United Nations Development Program Ms. Jennifer Cipriani, Scotiabank Ms. Geraldine Maison-Hall, Community Based Rehabilitation Ms. Taramattie Persaud, Cuso International Ms. Goldie Scott, Volunteer Youth Corps Mr. Rawle Small, Habitat for Humanity

Volunteer Spotlight
Name:
Mrs. Margaret Maloney Proprietor of Maggies Snackette and Kitchen

Occupation: Volunteer Activities:

For over ten (10) years, I have been sponsoring youth feeding programs and initiatives in over 15 communities, and have been collaborating with service based organisations to provide meals to individuals and groups who are in need.

Why she volunteers: As a member of society and the proprietor of a business,

it is my social responsibility to provide a platform for development. These sponsored feeding programs are my way of participating and contributing to social sustainable development in Guyana, particularly where young people are concerned.

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DECEMBER 2013

VSP Hosts Action Learning Network Sessions

Founded in 2012 with support from Cuso International, the aim of the Action Learning Network is to provide a regular forum for information-sharing and networking to build the capacity of the voluntary sector in Guyana. Sessions are held every six weeks and are open to all, particularly those working with or within the voluntary sector. Below are short notes from the previous sessions; full notes are available on our website at www.vsp.gy. For more information or to register, please contact the Volunteerism Support Platform at 592-227-7575 or at nvspguyana@gmail.com.

September 6 Are You Looking in the Right Places? The Search for Funding
On September 6, Mr. Kevin Bonnett, Civil Society Consultant with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) engaged 53 participants in a lively discussion on funding opportunities. The objectives of the session were to help NGOs understand the new models of development financing and to improve their capacity to respond to or to solicit such financing. Mr. Bonnett pointed out to participants that the development landscape is very different in 2013 compared to the pre-global financial crisis era, where donors have moved to regional programming or have relocated out of Guyana completely to focus on new priority countries. He also reminded participants that in 2009, the Guyana economy was reclassified from a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) and elevated to a lower middle income country. Therefore, civil society organisations must now search for new avenues and sources of funding but how to access funding from new sources is often misunderstood. One of the key messages expressed conveyed by Mr. Bonnett was the need for organizations to engage in partnerships for proposal and program development, and for these partnerships to develop innovative approaches to development issues. The presentation also covered information on what kind of projects grant makers are financing, what donors are looking for in proposals, eligibility issues faced by NGOs and the actual assessment and selection of criteria for proposals.

October 18 How to Ace Social Media and Get Results

On October 18, Ms. Saufiya Husain and Ms. Nikita Westford from SocialRank Media With the users of social media increasing every day, social media has been a phenomenal platform to grab attention, build community, and increase awareness. There are currently over 1.15 billion users on Facebook alone, with an estimated 700 million daily active users. The inherent nature of sharing on social media has made it a great platform for both not-for-profit and for-profit organizations. However, social media is often used in a way that is not constructive. It can easily be deemed a time waster. But when used strategically, it can be used for many purposes important to organizations across all sectors. Topics covered during the presentation included: why and how VIOs should use social media, the social networks bestsuited for Guyana, methods for market research and identifying target demographics, using social media on a shoestring budget, integrating offline and online activities, using social media for volunteer management (including recruitment, recognition and retention), using social media for advocacy and/or fundraising and online etiquette. The presenters highlighted that social media is very popular in Guyana, and can be a particularly effective and low-cost tool to reach out to different audiences, and particularly youth.

Volunteerism Support Platform Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport 71-72 Main Street South Cummingsburg, Georgetown Office Number: 592-227-7575 Email: nvspguyana@gmail.com