Have you thought about Volunteering with Council?

Coorong District Council is putting the call out for people who are looking for a rewarding way to give back to the community by volunteering in one of the many volunteer programs on offer. Enjoy the benefits of working with like-minded people, gaining new skills and knowledge, giving back to the community and gaining a sense of belonging!

Whether you're a social butterfly who loves helping visitors to our district find their way; enjoy getting your hands dirty  in one of our parks and gardens; want to keep our many community halls and spaces well maintained; or overseeing safe but fun use of the Coonalpyn Pool - there is a program suited to you! 

We welcome applications from those who can volunteer for short term projects or long term by assisting with one or as many programs you feel a passion for! If this sounds like you, then please take a moment to read the volunteer handbook before you apply.

For a personal conversation feel free to contact:
Patsy Crabb, Volunteer Management Officer on 1300 785 277 alternatively click learn more below.

• 23 December 2023.
• 4.30pm
• 6.00pm Parade 

• NBN 101
• Online Safety
• Smart Devices
• Optimising your Internet connection
• Emergency Preparedness and the nbn network
• Digital Legacy
• Social Media and your digital footprint
• Staff/Volunteer - Become a Digital Champion

How meetings can engage rather than enrage volunteers

With so many ineffective, inefficient, or unnecessary meetings, it’s no wonder volunteers have little patience for meetings. The irony is that, while volunteers generally don’t seek out meetings, they do seek ways to connect with and be part of an organisation that delivers great things to their community.

Yet, Organisations generally require meetings of some sort. So, the challenge is to nurture productive organisation culture through well-run meetings that engage rather than enrage volunteers.

Here are a few tips for leveraging meetings to engage and empower volunteers when you are facilitating them or equipping volunteer leaders to do so, whether meeting in person or online.

Agendas are crucial. Ensure the leader sets an agenda with a stated purpose for the meeting and shares the purpose and agenda with all participants in advance.

Honor the schedule. Set the tone for efficiency and demonstrate that you value people’s time by starting and ending on time.

Be aware of body language. If volunteers are truly engaged as partners, be sure that all members are aware of—and avoid—body language that implies that they have final authority. If meeting attendees continually look to one member for approval, that person should use phrases such as, “This isn’t my decision, it’s the groups decision,” or “You don’t need my permission, this is within your authority to decide.” If all else fails (old habits can be hard to break), the member in question should leave the room and simply request that the group report back with its decision.

Conclude with action items and next steps. Before concluding any meeting, develop and review action items or next steps and be sure to identify the responsible person and deadline for each. The names you attach to the action items are a reflection of the relationship and level of authority you are nurturing with volunteers. Ensuring meetings have actions also ensures the progression of your organisations, keeps tasks on track and instills a sense of achievement.

Be sure a meeting is necessary. Of course, if you begin developing the agenda and realize that all this information can be delivered just as effectively via email, then simply cancel the meeting. The way to ensure you engage—rather than enrage—is to respect everyone’s time and only hold meetings when there is actual business to address.

• Social Media Spotlights
• Article submissions to your local publications
• Recognition through awards opportunities
• End of year newsletter

• Boosts Motivation
• Encourages creativity
• Is good for mental health & wellbeing
• Builds confidence

The Districts Suicide Prevention Network (SPN) - Coorong Conversations Matter is a voluntary community group working to improve mental health and wellbeing along with reduce the stigma associated with suicide and to increase community knowledge about where to access help when in need.

This includes support services for people bereaved by suicide; the group aims to reduce the impact of suicide by educating the community and empowering others to seek help and give hope.

Applications Close: 21st February 2024
Outcomes announced: April 2024

SANFL has partnered with the AFL and South Australian Government to launch a South Australian Football Facilities Fund, to create welcoming and inclusive facilities for our football communities.

From state to local grassroots venues, the Fund will enhance the capacity of facilities and football infrastructure for all user groups.

The creation of this Fund will enable SANFL, AFL and State Government to achieve our shared strategic vision of creating welcoming facilities, particularly through provision of all gender changerooms for players, officials and umpires, as well as maximising venue capacities by improving quality of ovals, lighting and supporting infrastructure.

Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund

SACA and Cricket Australia are partnering to provide clubs, associations, schools, councils and cricket facility managers with the opportunity to apply for funding for cricket facility projects. 

The ACIF has been further bolstered by the announcement of contribution towards facility development via the Grassroots Cricket Fund. The Grassroots Cricket Fund is a partnership between The Australian Cricketers' Association and Cricket Australia, with funding being contributed by Australian cricketers to support cricket in local communities.

The Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund for 2023/24 will open in late 2023 and close in early 2024.

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance for coaches, officials and competitors aged 12-18 participating in state, national or international championships.

If successful, applicants will receive $500-$750 towards the cost of attending their championships.

• Base Grant: $500
• Applicants travelling 800km - 1999km to their nominated championships: + $100
• Applicants travelling internationally or greater than 2000km to their nominated championships: + $200
• Applicants residing in a rural electorate: + $50

Agricultural Knowledge Small Grants are now open!

The 2023-24 Agricultural Knowledge Small Grants program is now open.

These grants help to deliver knowledge and skill building events to support agricultural and horticultural groups in the region to improve sustainable agricultural production. Eligible groups are able to apply for up to $3,000 per application to undertake agricultural training, and skills and knowledge building activities.

Groups seeking a grant can apply for funding at any time until 11:59pm Friday 31 May 2024 unless the grant pool is fully allocated.

Funds Raised by Ski For Life are available to assist communities, groups, and individuals to undertake projects which align with their mission.

“To use conversations and community engagement to raise awareness of strategies that support good mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention”

Grant Applications are invited to be submitted into any of the Grant Rounds.