Skilled Volunteer Matching Program Launch
3 September 2001 at 1:09 pm
Pro Bono Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) will officially launch our Skilled Volunteer Matching Program in Victoria after the success of a recent pilot program – along with a specially designed volunteer registration web site – on September 6th 2001.
This new service acts as a bridge between those chartered accountants wanting to give volunteer time and those organisations needing volunteer resources.
The program is available to young professional Chartered Accountants across Victoria who can register to take part in the scheme that will match them with charities needing pro bono and mentoring work.
During the pilot project more than 100 professionals were matched with Victorian organisations.
Pro Bono Australia’s founder, Karen Mahlab says the matching service saves organisations a lot of money and it encourages young professionals to give their time in a way that makes proper use of their skills.
She says as a result of the pilot project, initial talks have taken place with three companies with a view to Pro Bono Australia conducting volunteer matching as part of their staff development programs, and the ICAA has committed itself to a national volunteering project.
The ICAA Regional Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, Michael Nazzari says that in the International Year of the Volunteer, the Institute was keen to draw attention to the opportunities that are associated with pro bono work.
He says too often, young people are pre-occupied with work and other commitments and it is hoped that the matching program will help to add another dimension to their crowded lifestyles.
Basically, he says we are saying to them that they have something to offer to those less advantaged than they are.
The launch will also include the unveiling of the Skilled Volunteer Matching Program web site that allows accountants to register their interest and where Not for Profits can post their volunteer opportunities.
The URL will be revealed on the night and readers will also be able to log on via a link on our Pro Bono Australia web site from the following day at probonoaustralia.com.au.
The Skilled Volunteer Matching Program will be launched at a cocktail party on Thursday September 6th at the Melbourne Museum. Guest speakers will include former Olympian and Chairperson of the Council for Encouragement of Philanthropy in Australia, Ron Clarke and ICAA National President, Jan West.
We’ll have a full report on the launch in our next edition!
