MEMBER ADVOCACY

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The management commitee of the QLDSESVA are committed to the improvement of the welfare and volunteer experience of all volunteer members of the Queensland State Emergency Service (QSES). 

Vice-President (Member Advocacy)

The management committee has recognised the need to enhance the processes for engagement with QSES volunteers to achieve the following objectives:

  • Provide a forum for volunteer members of QSES to raise initiatives and discuss concerns;

  • Identify issues, raise awareness and address concerns affecting volunteer members of the QSES including those relating to their physical and mental health, safety, training, resources and welfare

To this end the management committee has been expanded with creation of the role of Vice-President (Member Advocacy). The main objective of this role is to develop the capability of the organisation in the area of grass roots engagement with QSES volunteers so that issues can be more readily identified and dealt with at local levels in a more expedient and effective way.

Regional Member Advocates

In addition the QLDSESVA intends to appoint at least one Regional Member Advocate (RMA) as a QLDSESVA representative for each QSES region. The role of the RMAs includes the following key responsibilities:

  • Be the first point of contact for QSES Volunteer advocacy matters arising in the relevant region; 
  • Identify and manage QSES volunteer advocacy matters arising in the relevant region; 
  • Communicate and escalate regional volunteer advocacy issues to the Vice-President (Member Advocacy) as necessary;
  • Support and assist the Vice-President (Member Advocacy) with the resolution of QSES volunteer advocacy issues;
  • Work collaboratively to support and assist other RMAs with QSES Volunteer advocacy issues;  
  • Deliver and communication key messages from the QLDSESVA management committee to QSES volunteers in the relevant region;
  • Promote and enhance the reputation of QLDSESVA in regional areas; and
  • Develop relationships with the relevant member of the QSES Volunteer Consultative Committee in the region for the purpose of identifying matters of advocacy that the QLDSESVA may be able to assist with.

This is a new and developing area of capability for the QLDSESVA and further updates will be advised as our experience and kowledge in this area is developed.

Further enquiries relating to our member advocacy activities should be addressed to the Vice-President (Member Advocacy) by email to vice-president.ma@qldsesva.org.au.

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