Volunteer programs are a necessary tool in all science centres and, as such, should continue to evolve and expand. The Investigator Science & Technology Centre is in the process of change and may be expanding in the near future. Therefore we are revising our Volunteer Explainer Program in preparation for the new Centre.

In October 1998, I visited Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth thanks to the 1998 ASTEN Fellowship. My aim for this trip was to explore different ways of coordinating volunteer programs.

On arrival I was met by Scitech's friendly staff and was immediately made to feel welcome. I spent the week working closely with the new Volunteer Coordinator, Mr Michael Gosney, and also spent a few days working with the previous Volunteer Coordinator, Ms Melissa Booth. Both had an abaundance of knowledge, experience and ideas and were very friendly and helpful.

After familiarising myself with the Centre we settled down to the task of exchanging information.

During the week we investigated techniques for coordinating recruitment, selection procedures (including screening), training techniques, volunteer awards and motivational techniques, social events, newsletters and appraisal/evaluation techniques. We also concentrated on the structure of our volunteer programs.

During our discussions, information was passed on to Scitech about the coordination of the Investigator's Explainer and Junior Explainer programs, the Work for the Dole Scheme and volunteer involvement in different programs such as sleepovers, etc.

The information gathered will assist in facilitating the Investigator's revised volunteer structure, policy and procedures. I hope that, as a direct result of the 1998 ASTEN Fellowship, the level of professionalism among volunteers will increase and the profile of the Investigator's Volunteer Association will rise amongst peer groups. Consequently the association will become known as a leading volunteer service organisation in SA and amongst science centres.

The 1998 ASTEN Fellowship has also been udeful in creating the emergence of an Explainer Coordinator network which will hopefully spread throughout all science-based centres in Australia and New Zealand to assist all Volunteer Coordinators!

Thankyou ASTEN for your assistance!

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