Supporting volunteer engagement in local government

Volunteers are the backbone of community services. Without them, many council-run programs wouldn’t exist. Volunteering contributes billions of dollars in economic and social value while strengthening civic engagement, social connection, and community well-being.

However, volunteer numbers have declined significantly, and local government participation has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels. This project was created to help councils reverse that trend.

Project Purpose

The Strong and Connected Communities initiative is a sector-wide effort to build South Australian councils' capacity to better engage volunteers. Led by Volunteering SA&NT, in collaboration with the Local Government Volunteer Managers Network (LGVMN) and Local Government Risk Services (LGRS), the project delivers practical, tailored resources to support volunteer managers across councils of all sizes and regions.

What’s Included

• A comprehensive suite of resources designed to meet the evolving needs of volunteer managers
• Available in the attached PDF
• A refreshed LGRS platform launching 30 January 2025, accessible to all South Australian councils

Key Achievements

• Tailored Resource Development Conducted a sector-wide review of best practices, identifying gaps and opportunities. The result: a set of easy-to-use tools tailored to the realities of local government volunteering.
• Access for all councils. Resources will be hosted on the LGRS platform, ensuring consistent access for councils across South Australia. This supports both new and experienced managers in delivering inclusive, sustainable volunteer programs.
• Ongoing Relevance A system is in place to keep resources current and aligned with sector needs, ensuring long-term value.
• Stronger Networks The project has strengthened collaboration within LGVMN, fostering peer support, shared learning, and deeper connections across councils.

Looking Ahead

VSA&NT will continue to support LGVMN and LGRS in maintaining and evolving the resource portal. Through regular updates and sector-wide engagement, the project will:

• Build council capacity to support volunteers
• Strengthen collaboration across the sector
• Foster vibrant, resilient volunteer programs