Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
DECEMBER 2013
VOLUNTEER NEWS
Promoting and Sustaining Volunteerism in Guyana
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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