Managing Your Activities
To make the biggest difference, every group that works regularly in our parks creates a Volunteer Activity Plan (VAP). The VAP is a shared roadmap built by you and your contact ranger. It helps us support your group’s safety and match your group’s skills and passion with the areas of our parks that need the most care.
Note: If your group only undertakes one-off or irregular activities, you do not need to create a VAP. Please see our One-off Activities section below.
A VAP can last for up to 3 years. You will submit your plans through a VAP form on ParkConnect for discussion and approval by your contact ranger. This introduction page explains how to do it [link to introduction page].
A VAP covers:
• How your work helps meet park goals.
• The activities you have planned for the year.
• The tools, funding, and support your group needs.
• Safety and Working with Children Check (WWCC) requirements.
Annual review
Once a year, you will meet with your contact ranger to check in and review your plan for the year ahead. This is a chance to celebrate your wins and take changing circumstances into account for the next year’s partnership. During a review, you will:
- Look at what your group has achieved
- Troubleshoot issues and address risk
- Finalise your list of planned activities for the year ahead.
- Plan the training and support your group requires.
How it works
We recommend picking one month each year to focus on this review. You can choose a time that best suits your group and your ranger. The review can be one long meeting or a few short chats over 2 weeks. To make the most of this time, please come prepared with:
- Your information: A summary of your group’s activities and volunteer hours from the past year.
- Your ideas: A list of any areas you require support from your ranger or issues to troubleshoot together.
- Park priorities: Your ranger will help you align your plans with the latest park needs.
Once your ranger approves your plan in the VAP, any activities that have been included in your VAP will appear in ParkConnect. This is our online portal that makes running your group easier. Visit Using ParkConnect to find out more about how ParkConnect supports your group’s activities.
One-off Activities
If your group does not undertake regular activities on Parks Victoria managed land and would like to arrange a one-off activity, you are not required to create a VAP. Please contact the park team to discuss your plans and support requirements. You will be required to log your activities on ParkConnect for approval and can choose to utilise the platform to assist in activity management and promotion.To learn how to manage your group and activities using ParkConnect, visit Using ParkConnect