Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire is committed to the improvement and modernisation of volunteering throughout East Dunbartonshire.
We encourage and support the development of Good Practice Guidelines within all organisations registered with us as members.
We have developed our programme “Involving Volunteering… Moving Towards Excellence” which allows us to work in partnership with ourselves in identifying areas for development and more importantly allowing you to collate evidence of your current practice.
We encourage all our registered organisations to adopt the “Ten Principles of Good Practice in Volunteering”.
We can provide your organisation with information and advice on the development of these polices and practices as well as offering support throughout the process.
Ten Principles of Good Practice in Volunteering:
- We (organisation) are committed to involving and valuing volunteers
- We are committing resource (e.g. personnel, time, finances etc) to support volunteers
- We are committed to supporting volunteers which reflect the diversity of the community
- We are willing to create/modify further volunteering opportunities as appropriate
- We are committed to protecting volunteers from physical, financial and emotional harm
- We have a fair and consistent recruitment process
- We have a considered approach to references and checks for positions (in line with Government guidelines)
- We have an induction process to introduce volunteers to the organisations
- Our organisation values and gives recognition to our volunteers
- We will support the various needs of our volunteer
Although we have modelled this programme on Investing in Volunteers standard, the above is not a formal assessment, but in fact an informal support system to allow your organisation to identify areas where you can celebrate your good practice and identify areas for development.
A more formal assessment?
If your organisation would like to consider a more formal assessment, the Volunteer Centre can arrange this for you.
Involving volunteers – Good Practice Guidelines
We would encourage and support the development of Good Practice Guidelines within all organisations registered with us as members.
We can provide your organisation with information and advice on the development of these polices and practices as well as offering support throughout the process.
Examples include:
- Developing a Volunteer Policy
- Designing Volunteer Roles
- Volunteer Agreement
- Volunteer Recruitment
- Selecting and screening Volunteers
- Volunteer Induction
- Volunteer Training
- Supporting Volunteers
- Recognising and Rewarding
We would also encourage your organisation to develop a Volunteer Handbook (or Information Sheet) to give to volunteers when they start.
This will ensure clarity with the volunteer as to what they can expect from your organisation and what your organisation expects of them.
A Volunteer Handbook could include information on:
- Aims of the organisation
- Organisation Policies
- Days and times of operation
- Volunteer role and task descriptor
- Contact Details
- Induction training
- Expenses
- Health and Safety
- Support and supervision