Volunteer Sector Policy
United Future supports the vital role that volunteer and community agencies play in our society.
United Future's position is to:
- Establish Family Support Service Co-ordinators that help families to access government and non-profit agencies providing services such as budget advice, addiction treatment, parenting education, anger management courses, counselling, employment training, and maternity, child care, mental health and child health services.
- Ensure that the work of the Charities Commission is directed towards fostering the vitality and success of the sector and encouraging philanthropy and generosity by New Zealanders.
- Explore further ways of encouraging greater social participation in voluntary organisations, e.g. establish a national register of skills on offer by retirees that can be available to community agencies, and seek the active involvement of employers and unions in this process.
- Establish an annual Volunteer of the Year Award to recognise the work of volunteers at both a national and regional level.
- Encourage young people to become involved in voluntary activities.
- Review the compliance costs imposed on voluntary agencies by legislation, such as occupational health and safety regulations.