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The Power of Partnerships
Volunteerism in
Jamaica has been built on a tradition of individuals and organizations
forging partnerships within communities for a better quality of life and a
more secure future. Many have selflessly given time, shared resources and
knowledge to build a better country, making invaluable contributions to
every aspect of Jamaican life.
Promoting Partnerships
The National
Registry of Volunteers (NRV) initiative is a collaboration of the Council of
Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ),
Social Development Commission (SDC) and the University of the West Indies (UWI),
supported by several national organizations. The National Registry of
Volunteers will seek to develop a database that records and recognizes the
contributions of those who give of their time and effort in service to
others without expectation of personal and financial gains.
 The overall
objective of the NRV is to multiply human and financial resources as it
strengthens and connects individuals and organizations that are dedicated to
improving the lives of Jamaican citizens.
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Ensuring Greater
Networking
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NRV will develop
and maintain a network of volunteer service providers by:
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Identifying and
registering volunteers
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Facilitating
access to volunteer programmes for persons wanting to give service
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Matching the
right volunteer to the right programmes based on the available skills and
stated needs
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Facilitating
international organizations wishing to give volunteer service in Jamaica
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Expanding
Jamaica’s volunteer corps
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Increasing the
support of volunteerism by youth and retirees
Encouraging a New Approach to Volunteerism
NRV will play a
catalytic role in this new focus on volunteerism as it seeks to bring
recognition to the sector. NRV will explore activities that:
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Develop a charter
governing the rights, responsibilities and conduct of volunteers and the
voluntary sector
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Establish systems
of communication between participants in the sector
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Set standards for
good practice
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Facilitate
volunteer training and skills building
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Identify best
practices
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Enable programmes
that tap into the resources of the community and involve the corporate,
non-governmental and public sectors of society
Recognition
and Valuing of Volunteerism
What is the value of volunteerism to the country? Can it be measured?
NRV will:
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Assess the
service hours given by volunteers annually
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Quantify the
impact of volunteer service on the country’s Gross Domestic Product
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Recognize persons
who provide human service on a voluntary basis
Advocating
Policies and Government Support
NRV will:
Expected Outcomes
The National
Registry will increase volunteerism, ensure continuity in volunteer
management systems and support best practices. NRV will do this through
providing volunteer resources, recruitment and referral, training and
recognition. Voluntary sector participants are expected to benefit through
improved communication and information systems.
Give a little… get much more back
Volunteers touch a
community in many ways and open avenues for improvement of the quality of
life. Today, more than ever, marginalized communities rely on the
willingness and generosity of citizens and organisations to work together
with them to improve their quality of life.
Who
Can Participate?
The National
Registry of Volunteers encourages the registration of all volunteers living
locally and overseas. Regional and international groups and volunteer
groups that function in Jamaica can be registered to facilitate
acknowledgement and placement of their personnel.
Individuals
Volunteers are of all ages and come from all walks of life – housewives,
students, retirees, working adults, members of the business communities.
Whether your cause allows you to work alone or with a group, you can be part
of this initiative.
Voluntary
Organisations/Civil Society Groups
All civil society
groups are invited to participate in the programme of the NRV. These
include Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community Based Organisations
(CBOs), Foundations and Service Clubs, Religious groups and institutions of
learning and any civil society group offering voluntary support in their
local communities are to be included in the NRV.
Corporate
Volunteers
Many corporate
entities support and encourage employee volunteerism as a part of their
corporate social responsibility. Some companies become involved in
voluntary sector activity to support their public image as good corporate
citizens.
All corporate
citizens, giving financial support or company time to the development of the
Jamaican community are invited to become registered with the National
Registry of Volunteers.
How to Register
Registering with the
NRV costs nothing.
Online
Registration
Volunteer Registration form (Word version)
Volunteer Registration form (PDF version)
Brochures and
Posters
NRV Brochure
NRV
Poster The Young and the Old
NRV
Poster Join
NRV
Poster Register
122-126 Tower Street
Kingston
Jamaica
West Indies
Tel: 876-922-9365-6
Fax: 876-922-5433
Email: nrv@cvssjamaica.org
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