Register below.
The pandemic has resulted in a pivot in our delivery methods, our 2020 Pivot Volunteer Conference will be going ahead as scheduled on Wednesday 21 October as an online event.
Connecting, innovating and collaborating has never been more relevant or more vital. Join us virtually through a 1 day conference on Wednesday 21 October, we will explore the current and future state of volunteering. This is followed by a 3-part Volunteer Manager seminar series, exploring the essentials of volunteer management for 2020 and beyond. This series kicks off in November.
The Pivot Conference theme “Linking vision to action” challenges leaders and managers of volunteers to translate new ideas shared at Pivot into action within their organisation and practice.
Through Pivot, attendees are empowered to meaningfully lead, advocate for, and develop volunteers and volunteerism in Aotearoa New Zealand. Leaders and managers of volunteers will be inspired by a range of speakers who are experts in their fields. Pivot is a chance to connect with peers, and to share and learn together. With a range of International and New Zealand practitioners and thought leaders, participants will leave inspired and invigorated with skills and ideas.
There are two key events:
- Pivot online conference: Wednesday 21 October.
- Rob Jackson’s Volunteer Manager Seminar Series (3 x 1hr sessions, 11 Nov, 25 Nov and 9 Dec).

Register
We are doing things a bit differently this year
Our bookings will be managed through Humanitix this year and events can be booked separately.
Our 2018 and 2019 conferences sold out, so secure your place today. We are offering a limited number of early-bird tickets this year! Pricing is as follows:
Pivot online conference: Wednesday 21 October 9.30 to 2.30 – We are offering a limited number of early-bird tickets this year starting from $75.
Rob Jackson’s Volunteer Manager Seminar Series – 3 x 1 hour sessions for $69.
Tickets are limited. Booking fees and GST will be charged on top of this.
PIVOT 2020 REGISTRATION OPTIONS
Pivot Conference Schedule
- 9.30 am – Opening, karakia, introduction to the day.
- 10.00 am – Keynote – Chris Jarvis, Realized Worth: Virtual volunteering
- 11.00 am – State of Volunteering – Panel discussion
BREAKOUT SESSIONS - 12.00 pm – Choose from: Citizen science or New ways of working
- 12.30 pm – Choose from: Recruit more volunteers or Enabling impactful service
- 1.00 pm – Elevating the Voice of Volunteers – Hear directly from volunteers.
- 2.00pm – Networking and connecting.
- 2.30pm – Closing.
Please note that our timetable may still be subject to a tweak or two.
Speakers and Presenters
Click on the images below to learn more about our speakers for the day.

Leisa de Klerks

Helen Leahy

Sudha Bhana

Kodrean Eashae

Shawn Elise Tierney

Widely known for his thought-leadership in employee volunteering, workplace giving and corporate social responsibility, in 2011, Chris was asked by the United Nations Office of Partnerships to design and launch the first private sector led initiative to achieve the post-millennial Sustainable Development Goals through corporate volunteering. Chris serves on the board of IMPACT 2030, the only business led effort designed to unite companies in their corporate volunteering efforts to address the United Nations’ Development Agenda.
In 2015, Chris and his partner, Angela Parker, launched the RW Institute (RWI), a think tank focused on advancing the practice and theory of corporate citizenship through innovative projects, research, analysis and public policy change. RWI is comprised of an association of stakeholders who are committed to removing existing barriers and promoting the practice and theory of corporate volunteering on a global scale.
The goal is to help practitioners be more successful – whether they are clients, engaged formally or not. Chris believes the work these men and women do as part of corporate citizenship is critical to addressing the huge social and environmental issues facing our global society.
Chris Jarvis

Rebecca Miller

Annabelle Klap

Smith's research focuses on the management of volunteers, particularly at large sporting events. She has conducted projects related to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, London 2012 Olympic Games (funded by the International Olympic Committee) and the Rugby World Cup 2011 (funded by Sport New Zealand).
In the 2019 Queen's Birthday Honours, Smith was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to education and volunteering
Karen Smith

Teana Macdonald

Michelle Kitney

Scott is active internationally, consulting on democracy, civil society and volunteering.
Scott Miller

Lakshmi Sridhar

Anjuli Muller

Sara Hillier-Jones

Cathy Aiavao

Johann is a Rhodes Scholar and postgraduate student at the University of Oxford. He currently holds a B.A. (Philosophy and Politics) and B.HSc (Public Health).
Johann Go

Ryan Hooper-Smith

She has 20 years experience in NFP governance across a variety of organisations covering national, regional, and local interests. Tania has been involved with New Zealand’s regional Volunteer Centres at a Governance level, having previously been the Chair of Volunteer Marlborough, and the Chair of the Volunteer Centre Network Aotearoa Leadership Group. She is passionate and committed in supporting volunteering within New Zealand and internationally as a member of IAVE. She is an experienced, highly motivated, committed and results focused leader.
Tania Jones

Megan focuses on supporting community and non-profit organisations at the business end of what they do. She has a real knack for delivering useful information in an engaging way, she will make you laugh and think, but most of all she will give you practical tools you can easily implement in your organisation. Megan is also a volunteer for Bellyful Hamilton.
Megan Thorn
Conference contributors

Anna Wong

Blind Low Vision NZ volunteers are a diverse group of people who provide support with Technology, Recreation, Fundraising, Guide Dogs, Collage Book Production, Library, Accessible Formats, Administrative functions and Vision Support. They complement a wide range of services to empower people who are blind, deadfblind or have low vision live the life they choose.
Sue Vyas
Masterclass
Volunteer Manager Seminar Series
Join Rob Jackson, a respected and world-renowned expert in the voluntary sector. Journey with Rob as he helps you to get even better at engaging, leading and managing your volunteers. These will be delivered by zoom, and the cost of $69 +gst and booking fees covers all three sessions. The dates for these are:
- 11 November, 10.00-11.00 am – “Understanding the context for volunteer engagement”
- 25 November, 10.00-11.00 am – “Developing meaningful volunteer roles / recruitment top tips”
- 9 December, 10.00-11.00 am – “Supporting volunteers”

The conference was everything I expected and more; great opportunities to learn, share, and network.
Well organised; the speakers were excellent and I really enjoyed the day. Thank you
Thoroughly enjoyed the day and the opportunity to connect with others and share best practice around volunteerism.