Group seeks volunteers

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 10, 4 August 1987, Page 2

Group seeks volunteers

If you are friendly, open and caring, then you have what it takes to be a Citizen's Ad vice counsellor, according to Waimarino CAB chairperson Judy Doyle. The establishing committee for the organisation held a public meeting at their base, the REAP office in Ohakune last week, which was attended by a small group of people. Mrs Doyle said the group now has 15 volunteers prepared to train as counsellors for the 'Waimarino Community Advice Service', the name the organisation must operate under

for a period of 9 months. Trainees will undergo their first 20-hour course in counselling in three week's time, under the guidance of Taihape family counsellor Patricia Griffiths. Volunteers undergo a comprehensive training course before they are ready to relate to the public. Mrs Doyle said there is no stereotype for the role of counsellor. "lf someonc feels they would like to help, then that is the first step," she said. "There is no 'typical' person for the job - it involves talking to people with vastly differing backgrounds and lifestyles and we need people who are non-judgemental who can relate to them."

Mrs Doyle said the job involves giving up three hours a fortnight for counselling and attending two meetings, one for training purposes, per month. She is optimistic that the organization will be up and running in early October. Meanwhile, the committee are busy with the compilation of a clubs and organisations register for future reference. The organisation's temporary base is in Ohakune, but the committee is hopeful of also having access to premises in Raetihi in the near future. This way, the advisory service could operate on alternate days in both centres and alleviate access problems the public may have.