VFBV

Issue 4, 24 March 2013

Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV. (Meeting held 24/03/2013)

VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (VSP)

Progress Update: There have been over 680 applications for 22 defined positions.  These were advertised in a variety of outlets and April 8^th will see the Program Manager and Project Managers commence duty.  Project Co-ordinator and Project Officer Position interviews for the remaining 18 positions are underway, VFBV being asked to participate as members of the interview panels. 

Lex De Man and Kate Harrap have expressed a willingness to attend any VFBV meetings so that people can better understand and also have ownership of the program.  This Program has taken a long time to get to this important point, and the next 15 months of field and research work is critical to the design of future support needs for volunteers.  The programme will be set up for the future, with funding available after the end of next financial year so that the future initiatives defined during this phase can be embedded into CFA as ongoing support to volunteers.

LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

Monique Longhurst (CFA Manager Leadership Capability) is the person charged with the responsibility to develop a Leadership Framework for ALL CFA members.  She is seeking input to assist with this task which will define an overarching leadership framework for CFA.  This step will define a common thread for leadership within CFA.

The other purpose is also to retain the knowledge and experience of all leadership levels, not just put them on the “scrapheap”.  Any ideas please let the committee know.

Five questions were asked of the committee regarding leadership.

1 How do you describe CFA leadership at present?

2 What kind of leadership gets rewarded at CFA?

3 What does the leadership of CFA need to be in order to deliver our vision and strategic plan?

4 What does CFA do well in terms of leadership?

5 What are some of the barriers to effective leadership?

CFA is also developing a Brigade / Group Management Team toolkit folder which will be useful for new / current officers to assist them in their roles.  CFA will look at trying to capture what brigades are currently doing (good success stories) so they don’t “reinvent the wheel”.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

Will be held on 13 - 19 May, this is a yearly recognition campaign and follows the Federal campaign of "thanks a million".  Targeted activities will be locally, regionally based as well as metropolitan (Federation Square, will use the big screen).  CFA has had good publicity to date with a “Queen of Moomba” around Melbourne and Regional areas have also been in attendance at championships.

CFA is planning activities to bring Volunteers into Headquarters to have a look and investigating options for a formal state-wide calendar for activities.

For next year CFA will investigate having aTorchlight parade in Melbourne – to promote CFA to celebrate the 70th anniversary in 2014.  VFBV delegates please discuss with brigades and volunteers the events and initiatives to mark CFA’s 70^th anniversary.

The Volunteer Support Program is designed to provide support direct to volunteers to enable them to make the most of their contribution to the community’s safety.

It is now in the discovery phase, in which CFA is looking to volunteers to identify goals and activities that will produce practical results for communities they protect.

The Victorian State Government introduced the four year, $44.5 million CFA Volunteer Support Package in 2010. The package includes funds for volunteer support resources to…“…work directly with Victoria’s volunteer fire fighters to give them the support they need to perform at their best. This valuable support of our volunteers underpins the viability of the CFA and allows Victoria’s fire fighting agencies to focus more on protecting the state from threat of fire.”

CFA’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) approved the Volunteer Support Program in December, 2012. Its resources will be predominantly field based, and will report to a central Program Management Office (PMO) at CFA Headquarters.  Extensive collaboration between CFA and VFBV in developing the various themes and projects in support of volunteerism has resulted in the recent progress of this important program.

PROGRAM DESIGN

The program is divided into three themes which will cover specific areas of work (Volunteer Development, Volunteer Sustainability & Volunteer Support) and will be linked into current practices and local priorities in CFA.

The Program of Works will report to CFA and stakeholders as a single project.

The three Volunteer Support Program themes are:

Volunteer Development Program

1.         Volunteer Leadership

2.         Volunteer Wellbeing

3.         Volunteer Training & Assessment

Volunteer Sustainability Program

1. Statewide Recruitment, Retention & Recognition
2. Engaging with Diverse Communities
3. Growth & Decline

Volunteer Support Program

1. Volunteer Best Practice & Information Sharing
2. CFA Alumni (The scoping of this possible project)
3. Member 1800 Help Desk (Also for scoping)

RECRUITMENT NOW UNDERWAY

In early 2013, CFA began the recruitment of the Program’s initial resources, with the search for a Senior Program Manager, three Project Managers, 12 Project Coordinators and six Project Officers.

HOW WILL THEY WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS?

In the opening phase of the project, CFA is researching what volunteers need and how to use the resources most effectively to meet those needs.  It is relying on CFA volunteers to identify the objectives and desirable outcomes.

It is vitally important that during this ‘discovery phase’ of the program, individual volunteers, Brigade BMT’s, Groups, VFBV District Council Executive members and community groups get involved and make the most of the opportunity.

WANT TO BE INVOLVED?  VFBV will post more information and contact details as they become available from CFA.