Events & Training
Elevate your skills and grow your network
Volunteer Wellington offer a professional development programme that includes workshops and seminars covering a range of relevant topics and are delivered by experienced and skilled facilitators who have extensive knowledge of the community and voluntary sector.
Upcoming Events & Trainings
Staying on Course: Helping You When Things Don't Go Right (Part 2 of 2)
Wednesday, November 4, 10am - 12pm
Staying on Course is a practical two-part workshop designed specifically by Keith Vaughn for volunteer managers and coordinators. You'll learn how to set clear expectations, address concerns early, and have constructive conversations that uphold both the needs of your organisation and the dignity of the people involved.
Participants will leave with approaches they can immediately apply in real-world volunteer settings, along with greater confidence to lead conversations with clarity, care, and consistency.
International Volunteer Managers Day Breakfast 2026
Thursday, November 5, 7:30am - 9am
Join us to celebrate volunteer managers, community leaders and everyone who works alongside volunteers. This year’s theme is “Legacy and Leadership: Honouring the Past, Present and Future”. Enjoy a free breakfast, a keynote from author and leadership coach Jess Stuart, and time to network with peers. At Level 1, BNZ Centre, 1 Whitmore Street. Free, but registration is required.
Strategic Storytelling For Real and Meaningful Change
Friday, November 13, 10am - 11:30am
Strategic storytelling is the Community Comms Collective’s final workshop of the year, led by brand strategist Heather Horswell. You’ll learn how to find the stories already in your mahi, what makes a story work, and how to use stories with intent inside and outside your organisation.
You’ll leave with prompts to use with your own team, whether you’re writing a funding application or welcoming a new volunteer. No prior storytelling or marketing knowledge is needed. Held at Y Central, 203 Willis Street (new venue), with koha gratefully received. The session will be recorded and shared on our website afterwards.
Finding Your Bearings: Data Protection and Data Sovereignty
Tuesday, November 17, 10am - 12pm
This practical online session will explore the fundamentals of data protection and data sovereignty, helping community organisations understand their responsibilities in how they collect, store, share, and manage information.
Topics are expected to include:
- Privacy and data protection obligations
- Good practice for collecting and storing information
- Managing volunteer, client, and supporter data safely
- Data sovereignty and why it matters
- Risks associated with digital systems and online platforms
- Practical steps organisations can take to strengthen their data practices
Peer Networking Catch Up November 2026
Wednesday, November 18, 10:30am - 12pm
Our Peer Networking Catch Ups bring volunteer managers, coordinators and community leaders together to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. Newcomers and experienced coordinators are welcome, with time for open discussion, networking and peer support, plus tea and coffee. At Cancer Society Wellington, 52 Riddiford Street, Newtown.
Strong Foundations: Governance for Volunteer Boards
Monday, November 30, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
A practical online introduction to governance for volunteer boards, run with the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. It covers the four pillars of effective governance, the board’s role and responsibilities, and practices that help volunteer organisations make better decisions. Designed for volunteer directors, trustees, and anyone considering a governance role.
“Great facilitator, great venue with lots of lovely passionate people attending.
Really good workshop content and great discussion.”
- Best Practice Guidelines Workshop Attendee
Past Events & Trainings
Community Film Challenge - Awards & Screening Night
Friday, October 2
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Community Film Challenge. The finished films were screened at the Embassy Theatre and the award category winners were announced.
September Peer Networking Catch Up
Wednesday, September 23
Our Peer Networking Catch Ups bring volunteer managers, coordinators and community leaders together to connect, share experiences and learn from one another. They are designed for and by people who work with volunteers, with a relaxed, supportive space to discuss common challenges.
Community Film Challenge - Hand-In Brunch
Sunday, September 20
You survived the deadline!
The cameras are off, the edits are locked, and the countdown is over.
Now, it’s time to celebrate. Join us for our Hand-In Brunch on Sunday morning to hand in your final cut, grab a plate of kai, and toast to surviving the crunch with your fellow filmmakers and charities.
Community Film Challenge - Matching Night
Friday, September 11
Time to find out who you’ve been matched with!
Charities, filmmaking teams, and student runners will found out who they have been paired with.
The goal for the evening is to make sure all parties are equally prepared with briefs and have a supportive space to get to know each other, their kaupapa, and preferred ways of working.
July Peer Networking Catch Up
Wednesday, July 29
A space to connect, share, and support one another. This event was hosted in person at Whakamaru, Wellington City Mission.
Our Peer Networking Catch Ups bring volunteer managers together in a relaxed, supportive space to connect, chat, and share experiences. These sessions are designed for and by volunteer managers, creating opportunities to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build stronger relationships across organisations in the region. Whether you're seeking fresh perspectives, practical insights, or simply a chance to connect with others who understand your role, these catch ups offer a valuable space to engage with your peers.
June Te Aka Tūao
Tuesday, June 30
Te Aka Tūao (TAT) is a regular gathering for people working and volunteering in nonprofit organisations across Te Awa Kairangi. Roughly translated it means 'the vine of contributing to your community'. It’s a space to connect, share stories, learn together, and build real relationships across the community sector.
Feedback from attendees described Te Aka Tūao as unique, inclusive, and deeply valuable – and not only for professional development and service delivery but also for fostering a sense of community, connection, and shared purpose.
It happens at least 5 times a year, it's free for everyone, and we'd love to see you at our next one!
Staying on Course: Helping You When Things Don't Go Right (Part 1 of 2)
Wednesday, October 21
The first part of a practical two-part workshop designed by Keith Vaughn for volunteer managers and coordinators. Participants learned how to set clear expectations, address concerns early, and have constructive conversations. Part 2 is on Wednesday, November 4.
Finding Your Bearings: Health and Safety
Tuesday, October 13
An online session with Everard Halbert from Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley, giving community organisations a practical introduction to health and safety obligations. It covered the fundamentals of New Zealand health and safety law, organisational responsibilities, lessons from previous prosecutions, and practical steps to strengthen health and safety practices.
Finding Your Bearings: Volunteers and the Law
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
A practical legal education series for community organisations across the Wellington region. VIDEO AVAILABLE SOON!
Presented by Kate Collyns, Volunteers and the Law will explore:
- the legal distinction between volunteers and employees
- volunteer health and safety rights
- human rights considerations
- key legal considerations when recruiting, managing, and supporting volunteers
Harnessing the Power of LinkedIn
Volunteer Wellington
LinkedIn can play an important part in raising your organisation's profile, strengthening governance, building partnerships, attracting talent, and sharing impact with wider audiences. We're pleased to be offering a special session with Tracey Bridges, designed for board members, trustees, chief executives, senior leaders, and others interested in strengthening both their personal and organisational presence online.
Volunteer Recruitment - What Good Practice Looks Like
Volunteer Wellington & Nuku Ora
The Volunteer New Zealand Best Practice Guidelines can be used as a simple framework for a practical conversation on volunteer recruitment. This session discusses the 3 Rs of volunteer success: recruit, retain, and recognise.
This workshop also gave sport and recreation organisations the opportunity to discuss the challenges they face, and look at how volunteering can be utilised for their needs.
Mastering internal communications: Building connection, culture and impact
Community Comms Collective
For non-profits, strong internal communications keep staff and volunteers informed, connected and engaged, empowering them to be your organisation's biggest advocates.
This session explores what internal communications is, how to effectively communicate internally, and some key principles to help mitigate risk, strengthen connection, and help your organisation thrive. This workshop also discusses the Five Commandments of Internal Communications, practical golden rules that can be scaled to any organisation.
In the news: understanding today’s media landscape
Community Comms Collective
Media coverage of your organisation’s activities or success can be a great way to build profile and increase engagement.
But in today’s rapidly changing media landscape, it’s important to understand how the challenges the media are facing impact on your ability to get coverage.
Tune in to this workshop and learn more about the current state of New Zealand media, what it means for news generation, and how to get your important story covered.
Social marketing essentials – communications that create change
Community Comms Collective
How can we change or maintain people’s behaviour through marketing, and truly benefit the communities we serve?
This workshop will demonstrate how you can create behaviour change through social marketing. You’ll learn the basics of behaviour change marketing and communications, including best practice approaches to achieve behaviour change for social good outcomes.
Communicating through cyber incidents – building trust where it matters most
Community Comms Collective
Cyberattacks are no longer rare, and they’re not just a technical issue for IT teams to manage. For not-for-profits and community organisations, they are high-stakes trust and reputation events, often involving sensitive information about the people you serve. But how do you communicate when your organisation is under attack and the full picture isn’t yet clear?
In this practical, values-led session we get into what a cyber incident can look like and the role effective communications can play – from early warning signs, to media queries, and the potential exposure of personal data.
Getting Your Not-For-Profit Ready for Youth
Youth Impact
A panel-style event, “Getting Your Not-For-Profit Ready for Youth: With YEA, Youth Impact, Student Volunteer Army, and Take10” with Emma Godwin & Logan Hempel from Youth Employability Aotearoa, Matthew Biddington from Youth Impact, Cameron Dickson from Student Volunteer Army, and Marcail Parkinson from Take10.