RAWCS - Project Volunteers

Volunteers are the lifeblood of RAWCS Projects. Being a RAWCS Volunteer can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life; you can make new friends in other countries and you will form very close bonds with your team members. By following the simple procedures listed below, you can make the administrative procedures run smoothly.

 

Taxation Deductibility
The only recognised RAWCS account that will provide tax deductibility for donations is the "Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Account" (see the RAWCS  – Financial Donations page on this site). To obtain a tax deduction for your contribution to a RAWCS Project, it is imperative to follow these simple procedures. If you do not, a claim for tax deductibility may be disallowed by the Australian Taxation Office.

 

Should You Register Your Project?
When you plan your Project, consider whether you need to register it as an official RAWCS Project. Generally, if you are collecting donations for materials and possibly a Matching Grant, it will be easier to register the project. That way all donations are tax deductible and the RAWCS National Treasurer will find it easier to track the donations. To register a RAWCS Project contact the RAWCS National Project Coordinator Roger Dennis, 10 Leigh Street, Salisbury SA 5109, Telephone: 08 8289 6091, or email to the following link: Roger Dennis

 

A copy of the RAWCS Project Funding Form and the RAWCS Project  
Registration Form may be obtained by following these links:
RAWCS Project Application Form
RAWCS Project Funding Application Form

 

Paying for Travel, Meals and Accommodation
Some projects build in the travel, meals and accommodation costs into the total project cost. Other projects (usually where the materials are already provided) expect the volunteer team to cover their own travel, meals and accommodation costs. Which ever method is used, it is imperative that the contributions are paid into the Rotary Australia World Overseas Aid Account (see the RAWCS  – Financial Donations page) to obtain tax deductibility. This must be done BEFORE the travel is booked. The National RAWCS Treasurer, Gary Gunnell should be advised of the travel requirements. Gary will book the travel and return the meals and accommodation balance of the funds together with the tickets to the team leader. 

 

Please note that your taxation deduction is for a donation to the Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Account, not for travel, accommodation and meals costs associated with a RAWCS Project. The Account is able to use donations for the purpose of purchasing travel, accommodation and meals. The Taxation Department is very particular about the wording and what is an acceptable claim.  

 

Team Reports
Team reports are important for two reasons:
1. They provide feedback to the respective RAWCS National Coordinators of total project progress and any difficulties experienced so that future teams can benefit from your experiences, and
2. They provide visibility of the expenditure of money and manpower on RAWCS Projects and this information is helpful in promoting the work undertaken by the volunteers.

 

So please write a report on your project and send it together with photographs to tour RAWCS coordinator.

 

Application Forms
All RAWCS volunteers need to complete the attached Volunteer Health Form and the Volunteer Application Form. The completed forms are to be sent to  the Southern Region Volunteer Coordinator, Colin McKenzie, 3/22 Grevillia Road, Oak Park Vic 3046. Colin will ensure that the RAWCS insurance company is notified so that you have insurance cover for your trip. These forms also enable the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be notified in case you need their services while overseas.

 

Medical
You are responsible for having a travel medical consultation to ensure you have any necessary inoculations and obtain anti-Malaria medication if necessary.

 

Police Records Checks
We are currently working with the Australian Federal Police to obtain a Records Check for Rotary Volunteers. When the details have been finalised, they will be posted on this website. Victoria currently has a Working With Children Check but there is no indication of the status of this document overseas. We have no information on which countries are insisting on a Police Records Check for volunteers but some reports suggest that this requirement is becoming more widespread in neighbouring countries.

 

Passport and Visa Requirements
You will be responsible for obtaining your own visas, if required, and ensuring your passports are valid for your trip and (usually) for a minimum of six months after your intended return date. Please be sure of this as there have been cases where travel was not permitted because of passport validity of less than six months past the intended return date.

 

Visa requirements can change so it is usually best to contact the embassy or consulate of the country concerned.

 

Excess Baggage
Many volunteer teams find that they need to carry baggage in excess of that permitted on their ticket. National carriers are usually cooperative in allowing an additional 10kg of excess baggage for Rotary volunteers. Contact the carrier concerned at the highest level. Embassies and Consulates can also be helpful in facilitating this. A letter from the RAWCS National Coordinator for the project confirming the reason for travel may also be useful.

 

On the Job
On the job work hard, produce professional results but above all else, HAVE FUN!