From VFenner@msu.admin.mcmaster.ca Mon Dec 1 11:49:02 1997 Date: Mon, 01 Dec 1997 10:01:24 -0500 From: Victoria Fenner To: 'ncra list' Subject: Volunteers I was reading a publication by Volunteer Ontario, and I found something useful. It sets down some guidelines for the relationship between paid staff and volunteers. This is something which frequently comes up in conversations with other people in c/c stations, volunteers and non-volunteers alike. 1) Any change in the level of voluntary service (in an organization) should be preceded by consultation among all interested parties. 2) Agreements on the nature and extent of additions to voluntary activity should be made widely known to interested parties at all levels. 3) The roles of volunteers and staff should complement each other; they should not be threatening to each other in any way. 4) The action of volunteers should not threaten the livelihood of paid staff. 5) Volunteer workers should not normally receive financial reward (apart from reimbursement for out of pocket expenses) 6) There should be a recognized process for resolution of problems between paid staff and volunteers. 7) An agreement that will govern the action of volunteers in the event of industrial action should be in place before such a situation arises. Volunteer Ontario also has some good guidelines to make sure your volunteer programs are successful. Those areas are: a) good, solid, enforceable policies b) a paid staff person who is officially responsible for coordinating volunteers c) resources, both financial and human, to support the volunteers in their work d) Consultation among board, staff and volunteers as to the appropriate role of volunteers e) good management practices such as orientation, screening, training, supervision, meaningful recognition, evaluation and the opportunity for volunteers to learn new skills. Hope you find this useful. Volunteer Ontario has a lot of useful information -- you might want to check them out. Victoria Victoria Fenner Station Manager - CFMU McMaster Room 321 Hamilton Hall, McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1 905-525-9140 x 27631 905-529-3208 Fax "This is not a motorcycle, but the motorcycleness of it cannot be denied." Peter Leonhard Braun