The following reports show the success of IVMA Day celebrations around the world from our 2006 IVMA Day.

REPORT POSTED BY GWENDA LAWTHER, Centre for Volunteering, Sydney, NSW, Australia

On International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day on Wednesday, 1 November, The Centre celebrated the wonderful work of dedicated volunteer managers around the world. The Centre for Volunteering hosted a get-together for our member volunteer managers. Twenty people attended. It was a great opportunity to network with other volunteer managers, meet The Centre's staff and volunteers and just relax.

The Centre for Volunteering's website profiled eight members' volunteer managers, including The Centre's own Alison Keene Find out why they became volunteer managers, what they get out of their jobs and the benefits to them of working with volunteers

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REPORT POSTED BY JENNIE LOVERIDGE, Membership Services Coordinator, Volunteering WA, Perth, Western Australia

Our day at the City of Belmont Library was a huge success. We had approximately 50 managers and co-ordinators of volunteers along with some CEOs (we invited CEOs to accompany their Vol Managers so they could begin to appreciate the importance of the role to their organisation. We are targeting Executive decision makers as many of their Vol Mngrs are still under resourced in many different aspects although they may have responsibility for more people than the HR Manager - not uncommon over here!!)

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Copy of Press Release Posted by ADAIRE PALMER, Vice President, Australasian Association of Volunteer Administrators on November 1, 2006
AAVA is pleased to announce the inaugural `Volunteer Administrator Award of Excellence'.

November 1st marks International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day. It is a day to recognise, support and thank the people `behind the scenes' of Volunteering.

We can all recognise the contribution of volunteers - in sport, health, emergency services, etc, but most of us fail to appreciate that behind this army of volunteers lies an equally dedicated group of individuals who are responsible for the coordination, support, training, administration and recruitment of the world's volunteers.

Volunteer Managers and Coordinators are skilled professionals who are adept at taking singular passion and turning it into effective action.

To recognise excellence in the profession, AAVA is announcing the launch of the inaugural award.

For entry criteria, please visit the AAVA website: www.aava.asn.au

Nomination forms are available from the AAVA website: www.aava.asn.au or email: vpmaward@aava.asn.au

Nominations close on July 1 2007. The Inaugural Winner will be announced on IVMA Day, November 1 2007.

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REPORT POSTED BY KAYE MAHOMET, Volunteer Manager, Volunteering SA, Adelaide, South Australia
Around 60 Volunteer Program Managers attended an afternoon cocktail celebration hosted by Volunteering SA in Adelaide on November 1. IVMA Day chairperson Andy Fryar is pictured standing 4th from the left.


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REPORT POSTED BY JANET COMPTON, Head of Volunteering, PDSA National Volunteering Centre, Winchester, UK


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REPORT POSTED BY ELE BAUER, Regional Volunteer Program Coordinator, Port Pirie, South Australia
I celebrated the occasion by sending a small gift to the Volunteer Co-ordinators whom I support, ie those working in Health Services in the Mid North Area of South Australia.  Each received a couple of wrapped chocolates and bath salts with a message of thanks for their efforts. Plus I sent an email out to all Volunteer Managers/Co-ordinators on my contacts list wishing them a great day and telling them they and their work is appreciated.

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REPORT POSTED BY JOAN PERRY, Director of Volunteers, Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Charleston, South Carolina, USA


Noah Moore-Solicitors Office, Sally Burnett-211 Hotline, Beth Cuthbert-Edmonton Alston House, Karen Nugent-Parks & Recreation

Yesterday was International Volunteer Manager's Day and we in Charleston are as usual in the forefront of finding excuses for parties. We sponsored a get together for volunteer managers (ourselves). Karen Nugent (right) who rallies all the volunteers for Charleston Parks and Recreation took a break from hanging the Festival of Lights show and let us use the Conference Center at James Island County Park. Woo hoo! We all sat on the porch rockers, drank punch and ate goodies.

Sally Burnett from Trident United Way was our Volunteer Administrator of the year.
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REPORT POSTED BY JILL TALBOT, Project Officer, Department for Families and Communities, Adelaide, South Australia

Volunteer Program Managers from the Department for Families and Communities were shouted to a morning tea with the Department's CEO on November 1. VPM's from the Department's regional and rural branches were involved via a teleconference link.

Pictured below are:
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REPORT POSTED BY BABETTE McKAY, Manager of Volunteer Resources, Montalvo Arts Center, Saratoga, California

Have to share my story with you all...

Our organization holds its annual volunteer recognition event in October--this year, yesterday, October 15. After everyone was seated for their meal, I left the mic with our ED to say a few words and I left to go get my lunch. All of a sudden, folks were calling me back. I wanted to eat my lunch!

Our ED and my boss, the Director of Development, said some very kind words and presented me with a certificate of appreciation in front of 150 volunteers and 20 staff--recognizing my work in honor of International Volunteer Manager Appreciation Day coming up in a few weeks. What a surprise (my program coordinator had tipped them off, bless her)!

I do not do what I do for kudos or applause, but it sure was nice to have the recognition. Just thought I'd bask in the moment, cause it's back to work now ;o)