Cork Volunteer Centre Booklet 1 | Page 8

6 Registered organisations can post their vacancies to our online database 7 Induction Cork Volunteer Centre Ionaid d’Oibrí Deonacha Corcaigh Induction to the organisation is an important first step to making a volunteer feel welcome in a new environment. Give Volunteers the right Start Ensure that your volunteer has a welcoming, informative and rewarding first day at your organisation. Training Share your experience and show the volunteer how to make the most of their placement by discussing the specifics of the task at hand. Ensure that the volunteer is fully acquainted with any equipment that may be used in the course of the placement. Volunteer Agreement A volunteer agreement establishes guidelines and role expectations for both parties. Go over this role and its position in the overall structure. Outline the importance of confidentiality within the service (see form D). Develop a volunteer policy for your organisation. A written policy sets out a clear structure for best practice when managing volunteers (see form E). Consultation Keeping the lines of communication open is important. Regular meeting with the volunteer can prove mutually beneficial in encouraging feedback and suggestions and evaluating progress. Planning It’s better to be well-organised before working together with volunteers. An effective Volunteer Programme should include important details such as scheduling, workspace and standard practice. This helps the whole process to run more smoothly and productively. Support Please note that at Cork Volunteer Centre, while we are delighted to offer support and advice to organisations in developing volunteer policies, we do not provide specific volunteer policies to any individual organisation. You can offer support in many ways. Financial: It is generally expected that volunteers be reimbursed for receipted ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses incurred directly as a result of volunteering activity. The remuneration of items such as travel expenses to and from the placement, is entirely at the discretion of the organisation. Motivational: Create a volunteer experience that allows the individual to engage their motivation and skills in a productive and rewarding way. Induction Give a tour of the workplace and the facilities available. Show the volunteer their designated place of work. Give a brief history of your organisation and its mission plus an overview of the services you provide. Steps to Introducing Volunteers as part of your team Developmental: Listen to the volunteer’s needs and discuss ways in which to improve the placement and help to make the placement as successful as possible. Emotional: Be available and allow volunteers to voice any areas of concern. Agreement Induction Training Consultation Planning Support