Volunteer Service Abroad Society Incorporated was established in 1962. Its first volunteers were deployed the following year through funding from the New Zealand government and membership subscriptions. Today it remains a strong membership organisation with support from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the generosity of members of the public.   

Volunteer Service Abroad is an Incorporated Society and its members vote on resolutions at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in November each year.

The organisation receives guidance from our Kaitakawaenga, and a governing body, meeting four to five times a year with the Te Tumu Whakara (CEO) to oversee policy and strategic implementation. 

The Council has four elected positions, with the potential to co-opt up to an additional three members. Elections are held on a rotational cycle, where at least half the elected members stand down at the end of their term. Co-opting is typically done to bring specific skills and experience where skills gaps are identified within the Council. Council is also able to co-opt further members to Council in order to replace any elected member that has stepped down from Council earlier than the end of their term.