Collaboration the key to success for retiring Gisborne Volunteer Centre manager

Jenny Graves is retiring as manager of Gisborne Volunteer Centre after 18 years in the role, but she won’t be severing her ties to volunteering altogether. Picture by Paul Rickard

Having had a passion for volunteering from an early age, Jenny Greaves, knew she had found the next niche in her career when she stepped into the role of manager at Gisborne Volunteer Centre

18 years ago.

With a desire to promote and support the volunteer sector, she set about not only growing the centre but raising awareness about the benefits of volunteering in the community.

That is coming to an end as Jenny is retiring and will leave with warm memories of her time at the helm.

Gisborne Volunteer Centre was established in 2001 and was housed in the Red Cross rooms in Palmerston Road.

When Jenny started as manager in 2005, things looked very different from today.

She had a staff of just two volunteers and little funding.

Securing funding and raising awareness to ensure the growth of the centre was the focus in those early days.

During 2007, funding was made available to employ a volunteer coordinator.

Jane Kibble, already a volunteer at the centre, took on the role and remained there for eight years.

Mrs Greaves and Mrs Kibble worked as a team to further grow the centre.

“A highlight during those years was our involvement in developing the national, innovative Best Practice Guidelines for Volunteer-Involving Organisations  project, which was followed by developing Competencies for Volunteer Managers.

“As members of Volunteering NZ (VNZ) both Jane and I were proud to be part of this project.”

In 2013 the centre moved to the River Oak Mews building in Grey Street

“The growth of the centre has always been a collaborative effort,” Jenny said.

“I have been fortunate enough to have had great staff and a supportive board of trustees over the years to help build the centre.

“They have all been a huge and integral part of the process. The support shown from community organisations, the volunteers and the amazing work they do means they have all contributed to what the centre is now.”

In 2018 the centre moved to its current home where it is part of the growing hub of positive energy and action taking place in Treble Court.

The centre now employs three staff, has an efficient online system for volunteers to sign up and register their skills and interest, which can then be matched with registered community groups.

The emergency response for the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle saw the centre  hit the ground running and it was vital in the cog of collaboration with many other community organisations to help those in dire need.

A highlight for Mrs Greaves during 2023 was seeing two local youths acknowledged for their volunteering efforts as part of the National Volunteer Week Big Shout Out campaign.

Reagan Mitchell and Aaria Reedy were recognised and thanked by Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro and Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector of New Zealand Priyanca Radhakrishnan for their outstanding efforts.

“It was such a thrill and honour for two of our youths to be recognised in this way,” Jenny said.

Jenny says the “the time is right” to retire “and with fresh, new ideas coming in, I am leaving the centre in great hands”.

She also acknowledges that “the people have been the highlight” of her time as manager.

“To watch people in the community grow and realise that volunteering is a stepping stone in personal development has been humbling and inspiring.”

Jenny is looking forward to her retirement.

She plans to spend more time with family and enjoy more holidays, but adds that “it will leave me with more time to volunteer, too.”