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
Community Film Challenge
20 July - 20 September 2026
ONE WEEKEND. A TIGHT TURNAROUND. A FILM YOUR CHARITY CAN USE FOR YEARS.
Community Film Challenge pairs Wellington's talented filmmakers with local charities for one intensive weekend of filmmaking, turning real skill into real impact for the causes that need it most.
Wellington has some of the best film and creative talent in the country, and most of it never gets offered to the charity sector. Every not-for-profit has a story worth telling, and a one-minute film can often do more for a cause than a page of writing ever could. Making that content well takes real skill and that's where we need your help.
Finding Your Bearings: Volunteers and the Law
Tue, September 15 2026, 10am - 12pm
We're excited to be partnering with Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley to deliver a practical legal education series for community organisations across the Wellington region.
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
“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
July Peer Networking Catch Up
Wed, July 29 2026
Join us for our July Peer Support Networking Event —
a space to connect, share, and support one another. This event is 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
Tue, June 30 2026
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!
Communications Workshop – Internal Comms for Not-for-Profits
Fri, July 31 2026, 10 - 11:30am
Join us for the next CCC and Volunteer Wellington communications workshop, this time focused on internal communications for not-for-profits — a topic we haven't covered before! Featuring presenter Glenn Baillie-Price, this practical session is designed for NFP staff and volunteers looking to strengthen how they communicate within their organisations.
Harnessing the Power of LinkedIn
Mon, August 24 2026, 12 - 2pm
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.
Video Archive
Video recordings from some past workshops, seminars, and panels that we have hosted or co-hosted.
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.
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 delve 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.