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What Volunteers Expect from Healthy Organizations
A volunteer can expect:
1. To enjoy / be suited to the work assigned. An interview and
placement procedure ensures that the volunteer and the organization
find a good match.
2. To know what is expected of them. Volunteers should be provided
with an orientation, initial training, policy/procedure manuals,
a volunteer position description, guidelines that clearly give direction
regarding volunteer vs. staff roles and information about the organization's
mission, structure, funding and insurance coverage.
3. To be enabled to volunteer. Volunteers may need support to overcome
financial, physical, emotional, social or mental challenges that
act as barriers to volunteering. Healthy organizations wish to represent
the community they serve internally and will accommodate individual
needs as much as reasonably possible.
4. To know that a personnel file will be kept. Records will be
kept documenting the volunteer's personal information and notes
on his/her volunteer experience including: interview, placement,
orientation, training evaluation, commendation and disciplinary
action.
5. To feel supported and heard. In an organization that respects
its volunteers, various opportunities for communication can include
one on one conversations with an assigned supervisor, volunteer-staff
group meetings, periodic performance reviews (of the volunteer by
the organization and of the organization by the volunteer) and on-going
training / education.
6. To feel needed. Volunteers should be assigned work that is challenging
and worthwhile. The materials needed to complete the assigned work
should be available. Volunteers need to feel welcomed by staff and
co-volunteers.
7. To feel appreciated. All levels of organization staff should
acknowledge the contribution of volunteers. Volunteers should feel
appreciated daily while "on-the-job", at social events
and by receiving service awards or gifts.
8. To be kept informed. Volunteers should be kept informed of any
changes in duties, policies or procedures. Volunteers perform well
when given the tools for success.
9. To know what kind of reference / recommendation volunteers can
request from the organization.
10. To be able to ask for new assignments within the organization
when the volunteer is ready for new / different challenges.
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