A volunteer agreement provides a clear understanding of the arrangement between volunteer and organisation. It acts as a reference of expectations on both parts and might include guidelines on training opportunities, an outline of the support to be received and contact details for whoever is responsible for that support. The agreement can include key points outlining best practice, instructions for performing risk assessments, details of risk assessments already carried out, comments about equal opportunities and respect for confidentiality.
Expectations around the time and commitment to performing the role should be well-defined; check it is an accurate assessment of the anticipated role. You may also wish to counter that with an understanding that the role may change if the volunteer is in agreement.
Arrangements for reimbursing volunteers for essential expenses should be clear and a description of processes in place for incidents that may arise where volunteers are left out of pocket.
A volunteer pack should include all information relating to expectations, protocols and processes for the volunteer to consider and refer back to. It should include an application form which should be completed, returned, examined, and then stored in a way that protects the volunteer’s personal details but available to key members of staff to obtain essential information.
People from all different backgrounds volunteer, it is imperative to maintain and communicate a rigorous equal opportunities policy.
Expectations around the time and commitment to performing the role should be well-defined; check it is an accurate assessment of the anticipated role. You may also wish to counter that with an understanding that the role may change if the volunteer is in agreement.
Arrangements for reimbursing volunteers for essential expenses should be clear and a description of processes in place for incidents that may arise where volunteers are left out of pocket.
A volunteer pack should include all information relating to expectations, protocols and processes for the volunteer to consider and refer back to. It should include an application form which should be completed, returned, examined, and then stored in a way that protects the volunteer’s personal details but available to key members of staff to obtain essential information.
People from all different backgrounds volunteer, it is imperative to maintain and communicate a rigorous equal opportunities policy.
Key points
- A volunteer agreement should outline expectations of volunteers and the organisation
- Ensure agreements are jargon free and accessible
- Try to pre-empt situations that could prove risky, then plan ahead of time strategies to address and overcome them.
Links for more information
Volunteer agreements
Guidance for what a volunteer agreement might contain.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers/keeping/volunteer-agreements
Volunteers
For an overview of policy components, this summary from SCVO will provide a simple checklist to get you started volunteering agreements.
https://scvo.org.uk/support/running-your-organisation/staff-volunteers/volunteers
Volunteer agreements
Guidance for what a volunteer agreement might contain.
https://knowhow.ncvo.org.uk/your-team/volunteers/keeping/volunteer-agreements
Volunteers
For an overview of policy components, this summary from SCVO will provide a simple checklist to get you started volunteering agreements.
https://scvo.org.uk/support/running-your-organisation/staff-volunteers/volunteers
