National Volunteer Week 2020: My Volunteer Experience

Volunteer Week 18 - 24 May 
Connecting Up would like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for their contribution to SAcommunity and community services in South Australia.

Our volunteers assist us to update the 15,000 community service listings on our directory in association with our council and library partners and editors across the state to help people, services and councils to connect with each other.

Volunteers provide this service by seeking, collating and summarising information. They search for data, follow leads, contact services via email, phone and online, answering queries and solving problems. They write articles to recognise service stories and what's more, they build on and contribute to the volunteer program and training to support the whole team to deliver an effective community service and better outcomes for each other.

We asked our volunteers why they decided to volunteer with us and share their skills with our organisation, so that we could celebrate their achievements.

[Editors Note: One of our volunteers is Audrey Menz, an exceptional writer Audrey has kindly contributed many articles throughout Covid-19 to help the community >>here It's great to hear more about her experience of volunteering in the article below]


My Volunteering Experience - Audrey Menz

Volunteering had always felt a daunting notion: What organisation would I volunteer for? Who would I volunteer with? Would I even make a difference? Could I balance my time? I had so many questions and felt so uncertain of the world of volunteers and not-for-profits that I hadn’t even considered a role until earlier this year. Three months into my first position, I can’t believe I hadn’t started sooner.

As National Volunteer Week arrives for 2020, I’m thrilled to be a Volunteer Information Officer for Connecting Up, sharing the title with a group of charming people with an assortment of backgrounds and interests. I will always remember walking into the office, first for an interview, then my first day, the bright workspace lit with friendly smiles and chatter. As nervous as I was to start, to begin in an administration role when I had no experience, I found solace in my friendly team as they came together to teach me.


"I’ve found myself able to provide assistance to our community even in these uncertain times, able to assure myself that I’m making the most of my time by helping others."

Although short, my time as a Volunteer with Connecting Up has been unusual, social-distancing practises and self-quarantine being imposed only two weeks after I first began. I was initially worried; how could I continue in my position? Yet Zoom meetings were organised, online workspaces formatted, and resources made digital, our Volunteer Coordinator introducing remote volunteering in just a matter of days. Since then I’ve found respite and routine in our weekly online meetings and the tasks I undertake at home. I’ve found myself able to provide assistance to our community even in these uncertain times, able to assure myself that I’m making the most of my time by helping others.

I first found the announcement of a position with Connecting Up on the Flinders University Careers Hub page. I had graduated only months before with a Bachelor of Creative Arts, Creative Writing, and although I had thoroughly enjoyed my studies, having pursued a field I love, I was still in the position of having graduated an arts degree with very little “real-world” experience. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to apply for any fulltime jobs, and unsure of how to find experience in my fields of choice. Finding the advertisement of a role with Connecting Up was like striking gold.

"It is through volunteering with Connecting Up that I understand I can make a difference for both the community and myself through a volunteer position."


^{Grant Smyth, Communications Manager, Connecting Up Inc.}

One of the first things I learnt about Connecting Up and it’s volunteering team happened to be that their experience and skills as volunteers allowed them to shift into paid roles in their industries of choice. I learnt immediately that whilst Connecting Up’s volunteer team aimed to make a difference and support their communities, they were additionally developing digital and information literacy skills in an administration position, aiming to eventually enter the paid workforce with experience and knowledge. Already I have undertaken updating and media interviews and written articles, pursued mentors [meeting volunteer mentor Grant Smyth, Conference and Communications Manager] , and learnt skills in office administration. It is through volunteering with Connecting Up that I understand I can make a difference for both the community and myself through a volunteer position.

The support I’ve found with Connecting Up has impacted so many different parts of my life: In this volunteer position I have been challenged and strengthened. Even though I’ve only been in this role for three months, I am thrilled to have developed experience and knowledge under their guidance, provided chances I would otherwise have missed. As this years National Volunteer Week unfolds, I will urge everyone who will listen: Don’t be afraid to be a volunteer, you just might find the people, experience, and support you need.

Interested in reading Audrey Menz's articles? Find them >>here

Find out more about our Connecting Up Volunteers >>here


Find out more from our volunteers about their stories here:
National Volunteer Week 2020: My Volunteer Experience
National Volunteer Week 2020: Our Volunteers 1
National Volunteer Week 2020: Our Volunteers 2
National Volunteer Week 2020: Our Volunteers 3
National Volunteer Week 2020: Our Volunteers 4
National Volunteer Week 2020: Volunteers in Action