🎉Celebrate Volunteers: Share Stories for National Volunteer Week!

National Volunteer Week is 14–20 June 2026

and it's time to CELEBRATE YOUR VOLUNTEERS

We want to hear their story!

It's an opportunity to:
✨ Recognise & Celebrate: Honour the incredible people in your team.
✨ Highlight Impact: Show the community the power of your mahi.
✨ Inspire Others: Encourage new faces to start their own journey.

This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer – Tōu tau ki te tūao, has been chosen to mark International Volunteer Year 2026.
It's a time to recognise those already giving their time and to prompt others to start, strengthening the fabric of our communities across Aotearoa.

Submit your Volunteer Celebration Story by Thursday 4 June for the opportunity to receive 1 of 6 morning tea celebrations for your volunteers!

Last year we received over 50 stories from all over Otago and Southland - they highlighted the incredible heart of our region.
It was truly a privilege to read each story and we’re excited to receive this year’s stories.

All stories will be published on our website and promoted widely in your community throughout June and beyond - raising awareness of your organization while inspiring the community to get involved.

How to Participate

• Share your story using the link below.
• Include at least one high-quality image — this could be of the individual volunteer, the team, or an image that reflects their impact. Make sure you have permission to share the images on social media etc.
• Email your images to: kiaora@volunteersouth.org.nz
• Stories are welcome anytime but submit your story by Thursday 4 June for the opportunity to receive 1 of 6 morning tea celebrations for your volunteers!

We’re happy to support you in the process!
Reach out to your local Community Connector:
Paula Denton - paula@volunteersouth.org.nz (Queenstown Lakes)
Sue O'Brien - sueobrien@volunteersouth.org.nz (Central and Coastal Otago, Southland)

✨ Tips for Capturing the Magic

• Keep it zappy: Aim for 300 words or fewer to keep readers engaged.
• Find your focus: Highlight just one special event, one project, one volunteer or group of volunteers.
• Share the feeling: Focus on the heart of the story — whether it’s joyful, humorous, thankful, or surprising.
• Be yourself: Tell a story that only your organisation can tell.
• Show the reward: Leave no doubt that volunteering is an awesome and rewarding experience.

Submit your Volunteer Story HERE!