Mayor Elisha McCallion
THE Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Elisha McCallion, is calling for support for a new Volunteering Scheme which will benefit businesses and organisations across the district.
The scheme, which was approved by the Governance and Strategic Planning Committee this week, is part of a wider Business in the Community campaign aimed at encouraging local employers, including Derry City and Strabane District Council, to implement an Employer Supported Volunteering Scheme.
It was proposed that Business in the Community will now actively work with the Council to encourage companies across Derry and Strabane to gather local teams for the campaign and put volunteering at the heart of their organisations throughout 2015 and 2016.
Speaking after the decision, Mayor McCallion said: “I am delighted that the proposal has been so well received at Committee this week. Volunteering plays such an important role in the delivery of services throughout the district.
“I hope that the scheme will be well received by local employers who will see the value in supporting their staff in volunteering their time, developing new skills and working together for the good of the entire community.
“As Mayor I will be actively promoting the Volunteering Scheme as a key priority for council, particularly the development of a corporate volunteering policy.”
Following on from the decision, and subject to approval by Full Council, a steering committee including stakeholders from Council, community, businesses and other relevant agencies will now be established.
It was also proposed that a dedicated BITC Programme Manager will be allocated to the Council to develop an in house volunteering scheme, initially on a pilot basis, to engage staff and increase awareness of the scheme.
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