VSA membership and branches.

VSA branch locations

Auckland Village

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.

Christchurch

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.

Dunedin

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.

Manawatu

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.

Top of the South

The Top of the South (TOTS) 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.

Waikato

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.

Wellington

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.

Northland, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki

Northland and BoP have contact people to act as the community link for returned volunteers and people interested in VSA (Taranaki is currently looking for a contact person). Informal social events and activities to support VSA are also organised on occasion.

Auckland

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.