About us

Volunteering Canterbury is an incorporated charitable trust that supports and promotes volunteering.

  • We are based in Room One at 277 Barbadoes Street, Central Christchurch.  Staff include twenty-five volunteers and three paid workers. All our services, except learning workshops, are free of charge to volunteers.
  • Throughout Canterbury, thousands of organisations involved in sport, recreation, health, welfare, education, environment, heritage, culture, arts, and emergency services rely on the effort and enthusiasm of volunteers.
  • Over 270 not-for-profit voluntary organisations and projects are registered with us and about 250 voluntary positions are available at any one time.  We help potential volunteers to choose a suitable position.

Our vision
Supportive communities where volunteering is understood, recognised and valued.

Definition
Voluntary work is done of one's own free will, unpaid, for the common good  Aroha ki te Takata a Rohe

Our mission
To promote, support, and uphold the integrity of voluntary work with commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Our Values
    
Co-operation
     Excellence
     Diversity
     Integrity
     Respect
 

The Vision, Definition Mission and Values underpin the following objectives:

1.      To uphold the rights and responsibilities of volunteers

2.      To recruit volunteers, educate them about voluntary work, and support them to assist not-for-profit organisations, charitable organisations, and people
       in need.

3.      To provide and promote information and resources on volunteering

4.      To provide training and support for organisations which involve volunteers

5.      To increase awareness of the value of voluntary work, which is part of a wider definition of work

6.      To promote cross cultural understanding where the unique role of tangata whenua is recognised

7.      To operate efficiently and effectively as a model for other voluntary organisations.

All the above objects are for charitable purposes in New Zealand.  More information can be found in our Trust Deed. 

Board Members
Jan Harrison (Chairperson)                Gray Crawford (Vice Chairperson)
Ron Cormack (Treasurer)                  Ann Jarman
Barry Baker                                     Gavin Hampton 
Memea Ma'aelopa                            Sue Kobar

Manager
Ruth Gardner

See our Profile for more details of our operations. 

Our supporters
Christchurch City Council, Canterbury Community Trust, NZ Lottery Grants Board, Government Support for Volunteering Fund, Community Organisation Grants Scheme, Lion Foundation, Original Software Ltd, Slipstream Computers.

 

'CommunityNet Aotearoa (http://www.community.net.nz) is an internet resource supporting communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand'


VOLUNTEERING CANTERBURY
Room One, 277 Barbadoes Street
(corner Worcester Street)
Central Christchurch, New Zealand
Box 13-698, Christchurch 8141
Phone: (03) 366-2442 or 0800 865 268
E-mail: vc@volcan.org.nz