The volunteering world is changing as more young people are getting involved, but Volunteering Bay of Plenty say, there needs to be more direction.

A new partnership between Volunteering Bay of Plenty (VBOP) and Western Bay of Plenty District Council is expected to provide more support for the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust and future volunteers.

'The volunteering world is changing from an older workforce willing to give their time and skills, to a younger force who have passion, but are also asking, what's in it for me,” says Volunteering Bay of Plenty manager Theo Ursum.

Theo says VBOP will help the Kiwi Trust define and channel volunteers' passion into specific roles and identify their skills, so that volunteers are placed in the best positions within the organisation.

'The Kiwi Trust has done a fantastic job to date, thanks to its core of volunteers, through this contract with council we aim to help the trust and other organisations grow the amount they can achieve through volunteer strength and expertise.''

The council has signed a one-year contract with VBOP to help find a volunteer co-ordinator and to put together a volunteering programme for the Trust.

Council's relationships advisor Glenn Ayo says having VBOP on board is a win-win for the trust.

'VBOP provides consistent recruitment practices, management and continuity for the trust. It ensures volunteers are looked after; get a quality induction and the right opportunities for their own personal development.”

'We have this incredible virgin forest protection programme on our doorstep, so this new approach to volunteering will be more inclusive of people in Tauranga and Western Bay. This in turn will attract more interest from the philanthropic sector funders and sponsors,'' says Glenn.

VBOP will work with the trust to create a new volunteer handbook, update policies, procedures and the database, and run workshops for the trustees on the art of managing volunteers.

The Kiwi Trust is a community-based conservation organisation formed in 2002 by Te Puke Forest and Bird and other members of the community concerned at the decline of North Island Brown Kiwi in the Otanewainuku Forest.