News 
Issue 5, 19 May 2013
Quick snapshot of the priority issues and actions worked through at the most recent Joint Committee meeting between CFA and VFBV.
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT PACKAGE (VSP)
The recently formed VSP Management Team were in attendance with the members introducing themselves to the Joint Committee members. Kate Harrap gave overview of the Project Team structure and responsibilities. Additional new project staff will commence on 3rd June and a comprehensive induction process in being planned of which VFBV will be involved. OT&V will be ensuring there is the right governance and reporting tools to complement the work and outcomes for the project.
VSP Project funding is available up to 30th June 2014, where ongoing funding after this will be dedicated to ongoing volunteer support resources being imbedded in CFA business as usual. The Project Team and the Program Steering Committee will oversee the outcomes of this next phase with a view to making recommendations for ongoing practical support for volunteers being embedded in CFA arrangements and actions.
For the initial phase of the project there be a strong field focus, visiting a variety of Brigades and Regions and other CFA work locations to enable the team to have the best understanding of CFA. VFBV has been involved in these processes.
REGIONAL INITATIVES
There are many Region / District initiatives such as Ex-Captain's forums, Legends Dinners, Moomba activities, Ash Wednesday Memorial Service, OH&S, LMR peer engagement. CFA want to encourage the good work of Brigades / Groups, Districts & Regions in what they are doing to ensure they continue and also share the ideas and experiences of such good initiatives.
EXIT SURVEY PILOT & RECRUITMENT PILOT
Peter Sharman, Graham Cocks and Brian West are part of the Working Group for the Exit Survey pilot.
There will be a 3 month trial beginning soon to test the tools required for CFA to conduct exit interviews (using a variety of mediums). The trail will involve interviewing those that may have left in last 6 months and using some of the tools already developed. From this, the Working Group will see what worked and what didn't to ensure that CFA understand why people leave the organisation and how best to deal with it.
Once the trial is complete and adjustments made CFA may undertake a quarterly report of those that have left the organisation and send out the exit surveys at these times. The tools developed can also be provided to the Captain / Secretary of brigades.
NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK 2014
There is a proposal to conduct a torchlight procession to coincide with National Volunteer Week and CFA’s 70th Anniversary in Melbourne in 2014.
As such feedback is required from members to see if they will support this, please indicate to your State Councillors if your brigade would participate before June 22nd this year.
