Through consultation with volunteer involving organisations in the not for profit sector and reference to the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement (2015), Brink Productions has developed some standards for volunteer involvement which represent and explain the tenets of ‘best practice’ in the management of volunteers.
Definition of Volunteering
Volunteering is work which:
Is of benefit to the individual and the community and to the agency or organisation to which the work or service is provided (in this case Brink Productions);
Is done of one’s own free will; and
Is done without monetary reward.
Guidelines
In engaging volunteers who provide work and/or services to Brink Productions shall:
Interview and engage volunteer staff in accordance with anti discrimination and equal opportunity legislation;
not place volunteer staff in roles that were previously held by paid staff or have been identified as paid jobs;
differentiate between paid and unpaid roles;
define volunteer roles and develop clear job descriptions;
ensure volunteers are not required to take up additional work during industrial dispute or paid staff shortage;
acknowledge the rights of volunteer staff;
ensure that the work of volunteer staff complements but does not undermine the work of paid staff;
ensure that volunteer tasks are useful, meaningful and not exploitative of volunteers;
treat volunteer staff as valuable team members, and advise them of the opportunities to participate in agency decisions;
acknowledge the contributions of volunteer staff.
explain to volunteers Brink Productions objectives, roles and functions; and consider and balance the interests of paid and volunteer staff
Volunteer entitlements and responsibilities
Brink Productions shall:
provide volunteer staff with a clear understanding of organisational expectations, as well as entitlements, before they begin.
provide volunteer staff with a clear description of tasks to be performed, orientation and training and resources as required to effectively fulfil tasks and appropriate supervision.
provide volunteer staff with a healthy and safe workplace and provide to the volunteer, access to Brink Productions OHS&W policies and procedures.
provide Volunteer Insurance in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Employment Public Sector Management Act Determination No 27;
provide appropriate levels of support and management for volunteer staff;
provide volunteers with a copy of policies pertaining to volunteer staff;
ensure personal records relating to individual volunteers will remain confidential;
ensure that all volunteers are aware of their rights and responsibilities under the equal opportunity legislation;
consult with volunteers in relation to any decisions, which may affect them.
Payments to Volunteers
Volunteering is generally unpaid, and entered into without expectation of financial reward. However, occasionally payments are made to volunteers in the form of reimbursements, allowances and honoraria.
Responsibility for the Program
The General Manager is ultimately responsible for the coordination of volunteer placement. The Volunteer Co-ordinator will take day-to-day responsibility for the implementation and coordination of volunteer involvement.
For more information see National Standards for Volunteers 2015