SVA Volunteer Onboarding Part 1

This course takes you through the basics of what it's like to volunteer with us.

Welcome to the Student Volunteer Army (SVA)


We’re so glad you’ve joined us. You may be reading this in the middle of a crisis response when we need to surge in volunteers, or maybe you're just getting started with the SVA Service Award. Either way, in this course, you’ll gain all the tools you need to get started with us. Haere mai!

SVA is as much of an approach as it is a process, which is a core principle to keep in mind. We approach problems in a particular way and solve them as fast as we can with the tools we have. What we mean is often there is no textbook approach and its okay to feel a little lost at the start. Be sure to ask questions as you go.

Onboarding Part 1 will cover the following:

  • A brief history of SVA and what we stand for

  • What you can expect from our community

  • Safety and vetting introduction.

Our history

SVA arose from a community drive to help recovery in the wake of the 2010 Christchurch earthquake.

Now with over 33,500 registered volunteers, we have evolved to become leaders of second wave crisis response, helping communities recover after disaster.

Over the past decade, we’ve supported clean-up and recovery after eight major national crises - from collecting and delivering groceries during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 to operating major clean-up operations after the Auckland Anniversary weekend floods, closely followed by Cyclone Gabrielle, in 2023.

Volunteering at SVA

SVA is all about helping you have the best volunteer experience.

You’re almost done!

Fill in the form below and we will update your records to show you have completed this training!