Volunteers Federation (Zimbabwe)

www.volunteersfederation.com

VF’s Theme

 Promoting Volunteerism For Sustainable Development.

Background

02 May 2013 is a day in the history of Volunteers Federation (VF) that saw the first step in the establishment of an organisation that strives to promote Volunteerism. A ten member Founding Working Committee (FWC) was formulated in the month of May 2013. The FWC’s initial task was to conduct a needs assessment on the volunteer sector in Zimbabwe. During the period under review, the FWC conducted a snap needs assessment using a participatory approach whose methodology include the following:

• Grass-root oriented volunteer community consultative meetings (VCCM) in seven communities in Harare.

• Grass-root oriented Volunteer Forum that was held at Eastgate in Harare on 19 June 2013.

• Participating in Volunteering For Development National Committee activities and meetings.

There are two major documents that are as a result of the snap needs assessment that was conducted by the FWC and these are:

1. Report on vf Volunteer Forum 19 June 2013.

2. Zimbabwe Volunteer Climate snap needs assessment report 2013.

The FWC also spearheaded the formulation of Area Coordinating Committees (ACC) in Glen-View, Budiriro, Mufakose, Kambuzuma, and Glen Norah communities. Efforts to set-up another committee in High Field were fruitless. The Kambuzuma committee is initially responsible for Rugare community in the interim while working on setting up a standalone committee for that community.

The post Volunteer Forum period, saw the organisation concentrating on its survey and at the same time organising International Volunteer Day (IVD) – Harare commemorations. From 02 May 2013 to 02 November 2013, there has been a great acceptance of the organisation by the different communities that are part of the organisation’s pilot phase. As to date (note: our database is being consolidated on an ongoing base), VF has an official membership of 858, but informal information with VF’s ACCs point to VF having between 2 540 to 3 000 members.

Of all the areas of VF, Finance requires urgent attention! Since her inception, she has been running on a zero budget. The commitment and the burning desire of VF members is unwavering! What VF has accomplished since her formation is great given the fact of no external financial support.

Governance

VF’s Governance has four major pillars and these are (a) Leadership, (b) Delegation, (c) Operations and (d) Vigilance (measuring). VF has the following structure:

• General Assembly (GA)- membership

• Area Coordinating Committee- Local membership Leadership (also part of the Secretariat)

• Secretariat

• Board of Trustees (at the moment most of the Board Members are also in the Secretariat).

Legal Status

VF is a registered Trust (MA 1249/2013) and an affiliate of Budiriro Think Tank (BTT) [MA135/2009], we have commenced Public Voluntary Organisation (PVO) registration process. The supreme legal document is VF’s Constitution as it formed the bases of all other legal documents of the organisation. VF is headquartered at Sophie Hall in Glen-View 1, Harare.

Board Of Trustee / Top Leadership

• Mary Mpofu – Board of Trustee Chairperson (non executive) – Female

• Trymore Karikoga – Board of Trustee Secretary and Founder President (executive)- Male

• Doricah Mombe – Board of Trustee Treasurer and Vice President (executive)- Female

• Brighton Pepukai – Board of Trustee Member and Secretary General (executive)- Male

• Jacqueline Mutimbe – Board of Trustee Member and Treasurer (executive)- Female

Note: Upon firm establishment, the above members will have to resign one of the two posts they are having.

The purposes of the organisation

The purposes of the organisation shall be:

• Identification, empowering, nurturing, strengthening and development of volunteering opportunities and conducive platforms.

• Promote volunteerism as economic and social developmental tool.

• Establishment of volunteer data bank, volunteer network, lobbying and advocacy.

• Enhance Volunteer Climate in relation to programming, operations, policies and legislations.

• Development of an awareness and acceptance of the responsibilities of citizenship.

• Active participation in planning and executing programs for the development of the individual and the community.

• Promotion of economic development.

• Furtherance of understanding, goodwill and cooperation among all peoples.

• Promotion of health delivery & awareness

• To do such other things as may appear conducive for the attainment of the above objects of the organisation

VF Partners

Currently VF has no external funding except event bases support. VF has been supported by United Nations Volunteers (UNV); US Public Affairs; City of Harare (Social Services); Ministry of Youth Development Indigenization and Empowerment; National Committee on Volunteering for Development.

Summary of Impact from 02 May 2013 to 02 November 2013

International Volunteer Day (IVD)

The main funder of VF’s IVD Harare commemorations is UNV.

Conclusion

We are hoping that you got an insight into VF. Thank you for taking time to go through our profile.