RDV is growing. Here's everything that's changing and why.

Today marks a new chapter for Rainbow Dads Victoria.

We've launched a new website, introduced updated policies and processes, and made some practical changes to how we run events. If you're a current member, you'll notice a few differences. If you're new here, welcome. You're arriving at a good moment.

This post covers everything: what's changed, what it means for you, and why we've done it.

Why we made these changes

RDV started as a small, informal group of rainbow dads who wanted to find each other over 10 years ago. But over the past two years it's grown into something more: a not-for-profit registered organisation with regular events and a growing membership.

That growth is genuinely exciting but to ensure we protect what we have operating informally isn't quite enough anymore.

The changes we're announcing today are about making RDV sustainable, safe, and strong enough to keep growing. We want to be in a position to apply for funding, bring on more volunteers confidently, and make sure that every family, especially every child, is properly looked after at every event. These changes are how we do that.

The warmth and community spirit that have always defined RDV aren't changing. Just the foundations underneath.

What's new

The new website

You're on it. The new RDV website is the central place for everything: event listings, membership, news, resources, and information about who we are and what we do.

From today, all event registrations and membership are handled through the website. If you haven't created an account yet, it takes a minute and it means you're set up for everything going forward.

The Participation Agreement

To access our website or attend an event, people will need to accept our Participation Agreement.

It's a short document. It covers the values and expectations we all share as part of this community: treat each other with respect, protect each other's privacy, look after your own children at events, and understand that RDV is a community group, not a professional service.

Most of this will feel obvious to anyone who's been part of RDV for a while. The point of writing it down isn't distrust, it's that a growing community needs shared expectations that are clear and consistent, especially where children are involved. Having it in writing means everyone arrives at events on the same page.

You'll be asked to accept the agreement when you register for your next event through the website.

Child safety

Keeping children safe is something we take seriously, and we now have a formal framework to back that up.

Our Child Safety and Family and Partner Violence Policy sets out how RDV approaches the safety and wellbeing of children across everything we do. For most members the practical impact is small: the Participation Agreement is the everyday expression of what that policy requires. But we think it's worth being transparent that this framework exists and that it shapes how we run events.

If you ever have a concern about child safety at an RDV event, you can raise it with any board member directly or through the contact form on the website.

How events work from July 2026

We'll continue to promote RDV events across a range of channels, but all registrations now go through the website. For all events, the final venue details are only available to registered members of the website. 

This is a deliberate privacy and safety decision. It means we know who's attending our events, and it means the locations of child-present events aren't sitting in a public post somewhere. You can still find out about events through our social channels and other places we share them,  you just need to be registered through the website to get the final details.

Child-present events, including playgroups, are now for children and their parents, guardians, carers, and trusted adults only. This reflects our child safety approach and is consistent with how similar community organisations operate.

If you're still on the journey to parenthood and don't yet have children with you at events, you are absolutely still part of this community. Our adult-only events and social channels — including the Facebook group and WhatsApp community — are very much for you. We're actively working to make sure those spaces stay active and welcoming.

Sign-in at playgroups

Playgroups will have a simple sign-in process when you arrive. A member of the team will welcome you and note down who's attended.

It takes less than a minute. It's not formal or intimidating. It just means we have a record of attendance in case we ever need to follow up after an event, which matters when children are involved.

Open posting in the Facebook group

From July 2, members can post directly to the RDV Facebook group without waiting for admin approval.

This is a six month trial, and it's made possible by the Participation Agreement. Every member who is part of the RDV Facebook community is committing to the same standards of respect, privacy, and community care, and that shared commitment is what makes open posting workable.

The RDV Facebook Group Rules still apply. We'll review how the trial is going at the six month mark and share what we find.

Our full policy suite

We've developed a suite of policies that now govern how RDV operates. Some of the public facing policies are available to read in full on the website. They include:

• Child Safety and Family and Partner Violence Policy - our formal framework for keeping children and vulnerable community members safe

• Privacy Policy - how we collect, handle, and protect your personal information

• Feedback, Complaints and Disclosures Policy - how we manage feedback, complaints and disclosures in a transparent capacity

  
  

You don't need to read all of these to be part of RDV. But they're there, they're transparent, and we think it's important that members know they exist.

We're looking for volunteers

RDV has always run on volunteers. Everything you value about this community,  the events, the playgroups, the connections,  exists because people give their time.

As we grow, we need more of that. We're looking for people to help with event coordination, event support on the day, social media and communications, admin and behind-the-scenes work, and specific one-off projects. Roles are flexible and designed to fit around family life.

If you're interested, get in touch through through our volunteer form on the get involved page and we'll be in touch.

Thank you

This update has been a long time in the making. It reflects months of work by the RDV Board, and it wouldn't mean anything without the community it's designed to serve.

Thank you to everyone who has come to an event, brought their kids to a playgroup, completed our census, given their time as a volunteer, or helped another family feel welcome. RDV exists because of you.

We're really proud of what this community has become. And we're genuinely excited about what comes next.

If you have questions about any of the changes in this post, you can reach us through the contact form or message us on Facebook

The Rainbow Dads Victoria Board