Volunteer Rights
Both volunteers and organisations have rights and responsibilities. Volunteers are engaged to perform a specific job and the organisation agrees to provide the volunteer with a worthwhile and rewarding experience. In return, each has the right to some basic expectations of the other.
Volunteers have the right to:
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Be treated as co-workers. This includes job descriptions, Equal Employment Opportunity, Occupational Health & Safety, anti-discrimination legislation and organisational grievance processes.
Be treated as co-workers. This includes job descriptions, Equal Employment Opportunity, Occupational Health & Safety, anti-discrimination legislation and organisational grievance processes.•Be asked for their permission before any job-related reference, police or other checks are conducted.
Be asked for their permission before any job-related reference, police or other checks are conducted.•A job or task worthwhile to them, for no more than 16 hours a week on a regular basis in one role.
A job or task worthwhile to them, for no more than 16 hours a week on a regular basis in one role.•Know the purpose and "ground rules" of the organisation.
Know the purpose and "ground rules" of the organisation.•Receive appropriate orientation and training for the job.
Receive appropriate orientation and training for the job.•Be kept informed of organisational changes and the reasons for the changes.
Be kept informed of organisational changes and the reasons for the changes.•A place to work and suitable tools for the job.
A place to work and suitable tools for the job.•Reimbursement of agreed expenses.
Reimbursement of agreed expenses.•Be heard and make suggestions.
Be heard and make suggestions.•Volunteer accident insurance cover (like workers compensation insurance).
Volunteer accident insurance cover (like workers compensation insurance).•A verbal reference or statement of service, if appropriate.
A verbal reference or statement of service, if appropriate. Organisations have the right to:
•Receive as much effort and service from a volunteer as a paid worker, even on a short-term basis.
Receive as much effort and service from a volunteer as a paid worker, even on a short-term basis.•To select the best volunteer for the job by interviewing and screening all applicants. This might include reference and police checks and, where appropriate, a prohibited employment declaration for roles that involve working directly with children.
To select the best volunteer for the job by interviewing and screening all applicants. This might include reference and police checks and, where appropriate, a prohibited employment declaration for roles that involve working directly with children.•Expect volunteers to adhere to their job descriptions/outlines and the organisation's code of practice.
Expect volunteers to adhere to their job descriptions/outlines and the organisation's code of practice.•Expect volunteers to undertake training provided for them and observe safety rules.
Expect volunteers to undertake training provided for them and observe safety rules.•Make the decision regarding the best placement of a volunteer.
Make the decision regarding the best placement of a volunteer.•Express opinions about poor volunteer effort in a diplomatic way.
Express opinions about poor volunteer effort in a diplomatic way.•Expect loyalty to the organisation and only accept constructive criticism.
Expect loyalty to the organisation and only accept constructive criticism.•Expect clear and open communication from the volunteer.
Expect clear and open communication from the volunteer.•Negotiate work assignments.
Negotiate work assignments.•Release volunteers under certain circumstances.
Release volunteers under certain circumstances.Volunteer Policy
St Kilda Mums is a community, not for profit organisation made up entirely of volunteers. We want to ensure that St Kilda Mums volunteers have work that is safe, significant, fulfilling, and appreciated.
Key points:
•All volunteers shall be treated with respect and with gratitude for their contribution.
All volunteers shall be treated with respect and with gratitude for their contribution. •Volunteers shall be employed at the discretion of the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative.
Volunteers shall be employed at the discretion of the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative. •Volunteers shall carry out duties assigned by the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative and will only be asked to perform tasks which they are comfortable with and for which they have suitable training.
Volunteers shall carry out duties assigned by the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative and will only be asked to perform tasks which they are comfortable with and for which they have suitable training. •All volunteers shall be offered appropriate information and training to discharge their functions adequately.
All volunteers shall be offered appropriate information and training to discharge their functions adequately. •Where supervision is required, all volunteers shall receive appropriate supervision in the exercise of their functions.
Where supervision is required, all volunteers shall receive appropriate supervision in the exercise of their functions. •Volunteer duties will be monitored by the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative and guidance and feedback will be given where appropriate.
Volunteer duties will be monitored by the St Kilda Mums Committee or representative and guidance and feedback will be given where appropriate. •All volunteers shall be reimbursed for all pre-approved expenditure incurred in the exercise of their functions.
All volunteers shall be reimbursed for all pre-approved expenditure incurred in the exercise of their functions. •All volunteers shall be as far as possible protected from harm and covered by Voluntary Workers Personal Accident insurance.
All volunteers shall be as far as possible protected from harm and covered by Voluntary Workers Personal Accident insurance.St Kilda Mums Inc. 2009
