Download Template - Volunteering Victoria

Template letter for Volunteer-Involving Organisations (VIOs) to adapt and
send to Work for the Dole (WFTD) Coordinators or Jobs Services Australia
providers (JSAs)
The following letter can be adapted by you to send to your local WFTD Coordinator and/or JSA if
your organisation decides not to participate in WFTD and provide places to job seekers. It includes
some generic reasons for refusal for you to select from, as well as space for you to add
information about your specific reasons, concerns or questions.
For background information about WFTD, please read our Position Statement – this will assist you
when writing your letter and meeting with your Coordinator or JSAs.
We are keen to hear from you about your reasons for deciding not to participate in WFTD and any
responses you receive from WFTD Coordinators and/or JSAs.
Insert date
Insert the WFTD Coordinator /JSA name
Insert address
Dear [insert name of WFTD Coordinator or JSA contact person here]
Participating in Work for the Dole 2014-15
We understand that you are inviting eligible organisations in the [Westgate / Goulburn Valley /
Mornington Peninsula / Geelong] region to participate in Work for the Dole (WFTD) 2014-15 and
offer places to eligible job seekers aged 18 to under 30.
[Insert a few sentences about who you are and what you do].
We have decided not participate in WFTD for the following reasons: [delete inappropriate reasons]
*Our organisation already has sufficient traditional volunteers to meet our strategic
requirements.
*WFTD is problematic under the current Volunteering Australia Definition and Principles of
Volunteering. In particular, it does not meet the criteria that volunteering is an activity
undertaken of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion, and is done for no
financial gain.
*Participating in WFTD is not compatible with our [mission / values / strategic priorities at
this time]. [Optional - include a couple of sentences explaining why].
*We are aware there is some debate about the effectiveness of WFTD and [we are not
convinced that it will deliver the desired outcomes for job seekers / we believe there are
better ways that we could support job seekers in our community].
*We do not have sufficient information about what we would be required to do if we
provide a WFTD place. [Optional - include a few sentences explaining what issues were
unclear].
*We are [unable / unwilling] to do all of the things that not-for-profits are required to do
when they provide WFTD places. [Optional - include a few sentences explaining what things
you could/would not do].
*The amount of fees offered by [you / name of JSA] was insufficient to cover our costs in
providing WFTD places.
*We are [unable / unwilling] to provide the net resources (after payment of fees) required
to ensure job seekers receive appropriate management and support, and to meet specific
WFTD requirements. [Optional - include a few sentences explaining what things you
could/would not resource].
*We are concerned about the impact of WFTD on our relationships with [staff / traditional
volunteers / clients / other stakeholders]. [Optional - include a few sentences explaining
why].
*We do not have sufficient information about risk management issues under WFTD.
[Optional - include a few sentences explaining what issues were unclear].
*We are [unable / unwilling] to address all of the risk management issues that arise under
WFTD. [Optional - include a few sentences explaining what issues you could/would not
manage].
If you wish to discuss our decision not to participate in WFTD, please contact me on [insert phone
number and email address].
Kind regards
[insert your name and title]