Managing Volunteers
It sounds very corporate, but it is important these days to run organisations like a business to ensure their sustainability and particularly to manage volunteers.
The peak body in this field is Volunteering Australia with its subsidiary in this state being Volunteering Queensland (VQ).
They offer great documents and templates on their websites that can be used in developing your management system for volunteers.
Why duplicate documents when you can adapt ones already developed to recognised best practice standards? More info on www.volunteeringaustralia.org
Ideally, you need to appoint a Volunteer Manager or Coordinator. This person would be responsible for interviewing, placement and planning for volunteer duties and activities within your organisation.
They can have a team to help them do this but it is best to find one person to oversee this function. VA offers training for managers and volunteers which is sometimes delivered through a local resource centre. Go to the VA website to see if there is one near you.
Your Volunteer Management System
Having a considered and appropriate Volunteer Management System for your organisation is essential for several reasons:
- To reduce your risks and potentially your insurance premiums.
- To build your organisation’s reputation as a great group with which to volunteer.
- To meet the requirements of the national standards outlined by Volunteering Australia on their website; and
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To meet the membership requirements of your regional volunteer resource centre (if applicable).
One of the best reasons is that once your system is adopted within your organisation, you have the processes in place to support you and your volunteers and provide consistency.