Volunteer

Charter for Effective Volunteering - Volunteering Ireland

To know if, and how, they are being selected
To be given meaningful work to do
To know what is expected from them
To be offered appropriate training
To be thanked and have their voluntary contribution recognised
To receive supervision and support
To get something out of the work for themselves
To know who to go to if there is a problem
To be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred when volunteering
To make mistakes and learn from them
To be made aware of any disciplinary and grievance procedures
To be treated fairly and not to experience discrimination
To have safe working conditions, including insurance cover
To be informed about, and given the opportunity to play an active part in, the organisation as a whole
To be able to say 'no' and to leave without feeling guilty

To respect the values and aims of the organisation
To be committed
To be reliable and give the organisation sufficient warning if unable to turn up
To be punctual
To attend essential training and support sessions
To undertake the work to a high standard
To be honest if there are problems
To respect confidentiality
To leave when asked and/or when no longer enjoying the volunteering experience

To look for certain qualities and skills in volunteers
To select only volunteers who are suitable for the work
To draw up a volunteer agreement or 'contract'
To ask for tasks to be done in a particular way
To ask for commitment
To ask for reliability
To ask for punctuality
To deal with disciplinary and grievance matters
To ask volunteers to leave if their involvement hinders the organisation achieving its goals