Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Ipswich Women's Centre Against Domestic Violence [IWCADV]. The IWCADV is the local domestic and family violence service for the region from Inala to Gatton and Boonah to Toogoolawah. We run a number of programs including court support, community education, crisis intervention and counselling for women, children and groups. We appreciate your interest in becoming a volunteer with us. There are three areas where we welcome volunteers: - Our Management Committee;
- Our Court Support program;
- Casual volunteering at events and functions.
IWCADV Volunteer Court Support Program
Domestic Violence Court Support is provided at all the courts in our region: - Ipswich
- Richlands
- Gatton
- Toogoolawah
The purpose of the IWCADV court program is to provide support to women presenting at court for domestic violence protection order mentions in the following ways: - Advocacy in the court system
- Assess and address safety issues
- Information regarding the domestic violence court processes and protection orders
- Provision of appropriate referrals
- Emotional support
Volunteer Work
Volunteers are very important in assisting us to help ensure the court processes run smoothly and effectively. Volunteer work can include the following: - Taking names of the people who are present and asking if they need to speak to a court worker about their options
- Conducting safety assessments
- Explaining the domestic violence court processes to women
- Explaining the options of responding to a protection order to female respondents
- Explaining conditions of orders
- Making appropriate referrals to IWCADV and other relevant services such as Legal Aid
- Being present in court with women and answering any questions about the court proceedings
- Supporting women emotionally if they are distressed or feeling unsafe
Casual Volunteering
Volunteers are very important in assisting us to help ensure events, functions and community engagements run smoothly and effectively. Volunteer work can include the following: - Help set up/pack up stalls, tables, banners etc.
- Help run activities (e.g. Badge making, giving fake tattoos, craft workshops etc.)
- Talk with members of the public
- Give out information to the public, service providers and other interested parties
- Making appropriate referrals to IWCADV and other relevant services as required
Management Committee Volunteering
The IWCADV has a Management Committee made up of 9 positions. We are currently looking for people who are interested in our organisation and the work we do around domestic violence in the Ipswich region from a governance stance. Being a Management Committee member involves a regular commitment not only to attend monthly meetings, but to read reports and email updates as well as attending annual planning days and MC training. This is a fantastic professional development opportunity with an organisation that is supportive and friendly.
Becoming a Volunteer
We would work with you to establish which tasks are best suited to you. We will appreciate your help in whichever role you do.
If you're interested in one or more of the opportunities listed above please read the Volunteer Program Information, Court Volunteer Position Description, Casual Volunteer Position Description and complete the Volunteer Application Form and selection criteria questions at the bottom of the position summary page, and send them in to IWCADV. Your answers to the selection criteria can be as detailed as you like, but the total length should not exceed 2 pages. One of our workers will then be in touch with you to arrange an informal interview. This interview will involve answering some more questions, but will also give you a chance to ask any questions you have about the court volunteer program. Before you begin the volunteer work we will be running some training about domestic and family violence, the domestic violence legislation, and the domestic violence court processes. If there is anything you would particularly like to be included in this training, please let us know when you're in for your interview.
Once again, thank you for your interest. |
|
|
