Groundwork
Ensuring the Volunteer has the tools and support necessary to complete the tasks assigned is challenging. The process should closely mirror your processes for the paid members of your staff.
Here are some questions you may wish to explore:
- First and foremost, do you have the support of all of the people who will affect the working environment of the Volunteer? Governing body? Supervisors? Paid co-workers? Fellow Volunteers?
- Have you communicated to the staff how the Volunteer is to be treated?
- Have you communicated that the volunteer is a valued member of the team providing a service essential to the success of the program?
- How about a method of enforcing this commitment to the Volunteer?
- Have you designated a person to act as a contact/ support for the Volunteer?
- Have you arranged for the Volunteer to have an orientation to your organization as well as the position?
If the answer is "No" or "I'm not sure", it is time to rethink this program.
If you have made decisions around these issues it is suggested that you now create policies to clarify and communicate these decisions to staff and Volunteers. This will set the tone of the Volunteer assignments, and communicate to staff the commitment of the Board of Directors and Management to this program.
Does this sound like a lot of work? It is, however it is worth it for a few reasons. Not the least of these is a stable foundation for the program and its staff, paid and Volunteer alike. Policies and procedures will be discussed in more detail in section 5.
Source: http://charitychannel.com/article_189.shtml
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