"By volunteering my time and skills to the NIFVS I obtained satisfaction from knowing what I created is something that will help the community and individuals of that community"

My occupation: Graphic Designer

My responsibilities: As a graphic designer my primary responsibility is to design and develop various forms of advertising artwork for both national and international based companies. The advertising I create will depend upon the brands existing image, future advertising needs and direct competition, whilst ensuring brand consistency and quality of the artwork is met. Advertising will vary from brand development and identity design to website construction, print publication, instructional design and packaging. To produce the final product I may also be required to liaise with Directors, Copy Writers, Photographers, Product stylists, Printing specialists and other external contractors.

What inspired me to get involved in skilled volunteering: I was initially inspired to contribute my services as a skilled volunteer due to an article I read in the City Weekly (01.11.07) about Chelsea Cormell, a current Goodcompany committee member, though a friend had encouraged me to get involved years before this. After reading this article, I was inspired with emotions of empathy and enthusiasm and I distinctly recall myself saying “If I can produce effective advertising for non profit organisations, trying to raise awareness and support for such difficult subjects including health and poverty, I could create advertising for almost anyone”. So this is where it started.

Which organisations have I fulfilled volunteer projects for: The Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group (ALDS), The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services (NIFVS), and I am soon to start work on an annual report re-design for The Centre for Sustainability Leadership (CSL).

Example of a fulfilled volunteer project with a good outcome: A volunteer project fulfilled to a great outcome would be the volunteer project I completed for the Northern Integrated Family Violence Services. This was achieved due to a few basic factors including Communication, Enthusiasm and Professionalism. Both the NIFVS and myself met early in the project to discuss the volunteer project. This allowed us to communicate openly about the requirements and direction involved. After the initial meeting, the foundations for the project were completed. From there I was able to devote 100% of my focus to the creation of the NIFVS logo whilst receiving ongoing input from the NIFVS, eventually working it to the final identity product.

What the community group gained: The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services gained a visually professional identity via the creation of a logo for their organisation, as set out in the volunteer project request advertised on the Goodcompany website.

What I got out of volunteering my time and skills: By volunteering my time and skills to the NIFVS I obtained satisfaction from knowing what I created is something that will help the community and individuals of that community. In addition to this, I am also pleased to know that I have established a valuable friendship with the NIFVS, one that I hope will out last the years to come.

Tips for Community Groups working with skilled volunteers: The only tips I can give to Community Groups working with skilled individuals would be to treat the skilled volunteer as if they were a paid employee. The volunteer has applied to complete the advertised volunteer project so they should have a good understanding of what will be involved and what needs to be done. Prior to adverting the volunteer project, spend a reasonable amount of time investigating the media to which the final product will be designed in and ensure the aim of the volunteer project is clear, accurate and as realistic as possible. When you have found a volunteer be as open as you can regarding the volunteer project, it’s direction and your expectations. Lastly, if you feel you need to thank the volunteer leave this to the start and the end of the project because everything else in the middle is business.

Tips for Volunteers working with community groups in skilled volunteering: If you have already completed a volunteer project or two for a community group you will already know what to expect, so my tips are for volunteers who are about to take on their very first volunteer project. To those volunteers I say, keep an open mind when it comes to completing a volunteer project. You will see both over prepared and under prepared NFP organisations but it’s your job to take control if the direction starts to lose its path, after all this is your area of expertise. My only additional tip is very similar to my tip for community groups. Communicate! Tell the community group if there’s something you can’t do or if there’s something you don’t want to do. You’ll be quite surprised by how accommodating they are. Most importantly though have fun and try and remember the reasons for your interest in volunteering your time and skills for valuable not for profit organisations.