Donate to VSA
Become a part of VSA’s future by helping to support the volunteers who work alongside communities striving for change in Melanesia, Polynesia, Asia and Africa.
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Auckland branch at Hamlin Hills
At the Rotorua Lifestyle Expo
At the Festival of Cultures
Wellington branch wrapping xmas parcels
Become a member or renew your membership. Join a VSA branch and connect with our people and our work.
Contact us to become a VSA member or renew your membership. As a member you can have a say in the direction of VSA by attending our annual congress, standing for election on our Council, or voting for Council members.
We have eight branches which provide an opportunity for you to meet returned VSA volunteers and support our work while you’re living in New Zealand. Branch activities are varied and can involve anything from hearing a returned volunteer share their insights to a Christmas barbeque or a fundraising event.
Branches are the local face of VSA, and anyone can join. New members are always welcome.
VSA storytelling workshops
Are you a returned volunteer who would like to learn how to talk about your volunteer experiences in a way that inspires New Zealand audiences? If so, why not come to one of our Wellington weekend workshops, Creating change through stories?
The workshops will help you build your confidence as a public speaker. The workshops cover the tips and tricks that will help you engage an audience with your volunteer stories.
The Auckland branch meets about six times a year. We keep in touch with returned volunteers and those on current assignments, and promote VSA to others. We regularly attend the International Cultural Festival, and promote VSA through displays in libraries, talks to various groups and fundraising movie/drama evenings.
The Auckland Village branch meets six to eight times a year. We raise awareness of VSA in communities who have links and family ties to the countries VSA works in. Our branch also has a youth section, and we are keen to involve more children, youth and young adults.
The Christchurch branch meets on the second Monday of each second month. We have our business meeting and then hear from returned volunteers, people preparing to leave, and sometimes a guest speaker. Members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and volunteering experience, but they all have amazing stories to tell.
The Dunedin branch holds informal meetings for those who have an interest in VSA and volunteering. Our members range from returned volunteers to those interested in becoming volunteers, as well as people who support the work of VSA in general and enjoy the company of like-minded people.
The Manawatu branch has been supporting VSA since the 1970s, when some of our members first volunteered. Each year we have a mid-summer barbeque and a mid-winter get-together, a stall at the Festival of Cultures, an AGM with a speaker, and a quiz evening. We always welcome new members of any age or interest.
The Nelson branch meets six to seven times a year. Informal meetings include business and a speaker, who is usually a returned volunteer. At least one social event is held annually and pot luck or fundraising meals are sometimes held before a meeting. Most of our members have been volunteers, or are interested in overseas development work and may be considering a future role.
The Waikato branch holds informal meetings for those who have an interest in VSA and volunteering. Our members range from returned volunteers to those interested in becoming volunteers and others who support the work of VSA in general. We all enjoy the company of like-minded people.
The Wellington branch meets on the third Thursday of each month. We enjoy keeping in touch with volunteers before, during, and after their assignments, when many come along to share the stories and photos of their time away. Our quiz night fundraiser has become an annual ‘must go to’ event and we've also had fun organising fundraising movie events. Many of our members give talks throughout the community and we do all we can to support the initiatives of VSA.
VSA has a contact person in these areas who acts as the community link for returned volunteers and people interested in VSA. Informal social events and activities to support VSA are also organised on occasion.
Hear why Phil McKenzie, of VSA Wellington branch, enjoys being part of a branch and keeping in contact with VSA.
Become a part of VSA’s future by helping to support the volunteers who work alongside communities striving for change in Melanesia, Polynesia, Asia and Africa.
Donate now