Our Activities - What does TVAC do?

In addition to TVAC, there are 64 local volunteer centers in the Metropolitan Tokyo area. Although the names are similar, TVAC's role is different from the other 64 local volunteer centers. Local volunteer centers have more direct contact with the public. They recruit volunteers for non-profit organizations and volunteer groups as well as provide them with information, monetary support, space, and equipment. TVAC supports the local volunteer centers by providing information and seminars and we also advocate what is needed in our society with volunteers and NPOs to Tokyo Metropolitan government and general public. TVAC also undertakes new projects which serve as models for local volunteer centers.

NETWORKING

TVAC coordinates all local volunteer centers and organizations supporting NPOs in the Tokyo area in order to exchange information and methods, to advocate to the society and to promote voluntarism in Tokyo.
We assist volunteers and NPOs in the Tokyo area by providing them with information, advice, space, and equipment. We also assist them in organizing meetings, conferences and seminars.

INFORMATION & REFERRALS

TVAC provides information about volunteer activities and NPOs to people who are interested in volunteer activities by telephone, the Internet or in person.
We publish a newsletter called "NETWORK" in the odd months, which is distributed throughout the Tokyo area as well as other prefectural or national voluntary organizations.
Our "TOKYO VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER ANNUAL REPORT" shows the status of the current issues facing voluntarism in Japan.

CONSULTATION

TVAC performs consulting work with local communities, companies, schools and other organizations to start their own volunteer programs.
We consult volunteers and volunteer groups how to make NPOs and with NPOs on how to strengthen their organizationas.

STUDY & RESEARCH

Every year TVAC investigates current topics of volunteer activities. We are currently studying how to support volunteers and NPOs in order to strengthen NPO sectors in Japan.

TRAINING

TVAC provides training programs such as seminars and lectures for coordinators of local volunteer centers, NPOs, NGOs, schools on volunteer programs.
We also provide training programs for volunteer leaders and staff of NPOs on management of their groups and organizations.

CAMPAIGNS

The biggest event of a year is called the "VOLUNTARY FORUM". It brings volunteers and NPOs from different fields together and thus enable them to learn from each other. Another feature of this event is that more citizens become interested in volunteer activities. In this event there are many meetings arranged according to their interests, lectures, symposiums, seminars, exhibitions, and workshops as well as an 'experience corner' which allows people to experience riding wheel chairs, walking blindfolded, and sign language.

PROJECTS

Community Volunteer Program

In order to bolster voluntarism within local communities, we collaborate with local volunteer centers in designating certain communities as 'Voluntopias'(volunteer utopias). They are ideal communities where people do volunteer activities in order to make their communities better places to live. Each local volunteer center in the designated communities are subsidized 11,200,000 for 2 years by both Tokyo Metropolitan and local governments. This enables us to hire a volunteer coordinator at each local volunteer center to organize various volunteer projects according to the needs of the community.

School Volunteer Programs

We designate public and private schools as "volunteer schools" for 3 years and distribute 100,000 to them each year. Local volunteer centers help them to set up their own volunteer programs.

Youth Volunteer Program

This program provides young people with opportunities to be involved in volunteer activities. In this program, TVAC and local volunteer centers organize an annual summer program in which more than 5,000 people participate in over 1,000 projects. Every year we also hold a youth volunteer conference and also create products such as films, videos, and books in order to attract young poeople's interest in volunteer activities.

Senior Volunteer Program

This program is for senior people to participate in their communities utilizing their various experiences and abilities. We hold seminars for beginners and also for the leaders of senior groups, cooperating with local volunteer centers. We also hold meetings and parties for senior volunteers and investigate senior volunteer activities.

Corporate Volunteer Activities

Recently Japanese companies have become interested in volunteer activities as a means to contribute back to their communities. TVAC gives them information about volunteer activities and helps them to set up their own volunteer programs. We hold seminars for employees, executives, and volunteer coordinators. We also research various aspects of corporate volunteer activities every year.

Disaster relief Program

If a big earthquake or other disaster occurs somewhere in or outside of Tokyo, TVAC will take an important role in networking volunteers and NPOs for effective disaster relief. We have a research project on this theme and have organized "TOKYO VOLUNTEER NETWORK FOR DISASTER RELIEF" which includes various volunteer groups and NPOs.

VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY FUND

This is a 500,000,000 fund, which was established to provide monetary support to volunteer activities. Once a year its annual interest is donated in support of new and creative volunteer activities.

OTHER SERVICES

For volunteers and groups, TVAC provides meeting facilities as well as access to office equipment. We also offer volunteer insurance in case of accidents.