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As professionals who work closely with volunteers and see firsthand the benefits to individuals, organizations, and the greater community, volunteer management professionals are natural advocates for promoting volunteerism. To support you in this work, we’ve included resources on general promotion activities - including promotion at the levels of advocacy and policy - as well as information on International Volunteer Day and how to find your local/national holidays and days of service via our partners at Energize, Inc.

Also see Communications for media tips and best practices; Finding Volunteers; Research and Trends in Volunteerism

• Advocacy – World Volunteer Web
• Government Support for Volunteering – Corporation for National and Community Service (US)
• New! The Impact of Public Policy on Volunteering in Community-Based Organisations (PDF) – Institute for Volunteering Research
• Policy – World Volunteer Web
• Policy and Support for Volunteers – Office for the Community & Voluntary Sector, Ministry of Social Development (NZ)
• Policy Documents: National – World Volunteer Web
• Policy Submissions – Volunteering Australia
• Promoting Volunteerism (PDF) – Janet Lautenschlager with Voluntary Action Directorate, Multiculturalism and Citizenship Canada @ National Adult Literacy Database

Volunteer Promotion Days/Weeks/Months
International Volunteer Day falls every year on December 5th.

Also, several countries celebrate a National Volunteer Week, including Canada (April), US (April), Australia (May), New Zealand (June), and UK (June). Singapore celebrates a National Volunteer Month in December!

In addition to these broader national events, there are a number of individual days of service that coincide with holidays, days of remembrance, etc. For example, in the U.S., the Corporation for National and Community Service lists several national days of service, with applicable tools and resources, here.

To find volunteer events and days of service in your country, in North America and outside North America, visit Energize, Inc.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Let us know and consider checking out the following sites:
Energize, Inc.
The Resource Center (CNCS)
Volunteer Canada
Volunteering Australia
Volunteering England
World Volunteer Web