Volunteer Orientation & Handbook

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN NEW

ENGLAND

Please click to advance to next slide.

Welcome! Volunteers have been an integral part of our

organization since it was founded in 1902. As a volunteer, you will be part of a team of staff and volunteers who work together to help GINNE achieve its goals.

Each volunteer’s contributions help us further our mission and grow as an organization.

Thank you for volunteering for Goodwill Industries of Northern New England!

About GoodwillOur Mission Goodwill Industries

International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work.

Our Vision Every person has

the opportunity to achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life.

What is important to GINNE?

Our Values Respect

We treat all people with dignity and respect. Stewardship

We honor our heritage by being socially, financially and environmentally responsible.

EthicsWe strive to meet the highest ethical standards.

LearningWe challenge each other to strive for excellence and to continually learn.

InnovationWe embrace continuous improvement, bold creativity and change.

Dr. Edgar HelmsFounder of Goodwill Industries

International•1902 in Boston, Massachusetts

“We have courage and are unafraid. With the prayerful

cooperation of millions of our bag contributors and of our workers, we will press on till

the curse of poverty and exploitation is banished from

mankind.”

The Rev. Edgar Helms, a young Methodist missionary fresh out of seminary, arrived at Morgan Chapel in the poor community of Boston's South End.

There he found struggling immigrants from Germany, Poland, Italy and other countries who had little money, no jobs, did not know the language and were losing hope. 

Goodwill History

DonationsTo help meet their immediate needs, he took some burlap bags up to the northern part of Boston and went door to door, asking the wealthier Bostonians for whatever clothing and household items they could spare. 

His original intent was to give the materials away, but to his surprise, the immigrants were too proud to simply accept a handout.

“Not a charity, but a chance.”

So, he carried his idea a step further.  Helms enlisted members of his parish to repair and clean the clothing and fix any damaged items, and set up a small operation where they could sell the donated clothing and goods at reasonable prices.

He used the income to provide wages to the workers – and the first Goodwill store was born. 

Ultimately, the funds generated helped provide some basic education and language training, and gave the immigrants a "hand up," not just a "handout.“

Goodwill workers repairing chairs and

bicycles

Retail Stores

Today, Goodwill is indeed a worldwide movement:  there are 173 regional Goodwill organizations in the United States and Canada, and another 24 across the world. 

There are more than 2,000 Goodwill stores today!

We even have an eBay program where people can shop online! http://stores.ebay.com/Goodwill-Industries-Maine

Click to find a Goodwill store near you: http://locator.goodwill.org/

•Some 100 years later, Helms' simple idea has become a powerful one.  •He pioneered an organization that has given hope, dignity and independence to more than 5 million people across the world, by helping them earn a paycheck and support their families.

Goodwill ProgramsRetail store profits fund non-

profit programs: Employment Services

Job coaching and Training

Human Services Brain Injury Deaf Services Mental Retardation/

Developmental Disabilities

AmeriCorps: subsidized volunteers who perform direct service at host sites

Day Programs: educate, entertain and socialize clients with experienced staff to assist them

Residential Group Homes: places for clients to live in a supervised, safe and nurturing environment with others who share the same condition

Community Support: Direct service providers are paired with clients to make trips into the local community

Cycle of Caring

NNE

What is a Volunteer?Dictionary definition:“A person who performs or gives his/her services of their own free will.”

•In essence, it means that the difference between a volunteer and an employee is compensation/pay.

•Another distinction can be the roles they perform for the organization.

Type of Volunteers Pure volunteer: not

legally bound and not protecting/pursuing any personal interest

Directed service: court ordered without compensation

Service for compensation: unpaid volunteers who receive services/goods (i.e. room and board, training)

Officers/Directors: bound to higher responsibilities than a regular volunteer (i.e. supervision of volunteer crew)

Professionals acting as volunteers: use their own area of expertise to contribute

Student volunteers: service learning projects, work for coursework/credit

Persons acting of own interest: pursuing/protecting own interests

Subsidized volunteers: stipend or award in partial compensation for service (i.e. AmeriCorps, Senior Companions)

Length of Volunteer Project

•Episodic: One time or infrequent service (i.e. for a special annual event)•Short term: Agreeing to volunteer for a certain period of time (i.e. 6 months or 1 year)•Long term: Some volunteers become committed to helping out one or two special organizations throughout their life (it can also be used to describe someone who is a habitual volunteer)

Volunteer Program Carrie Burgin

GINNE Volunteer Coordinator207-774-6323

carrie.burgin@goodwillnne.org

Samantha BoudrotGINNE Volunteer Assistant 207-

370-3920samantha.boudrot@goodwillnne.org

Site Supervisor

VolunteerSite

Supervisor

Volunteer

Site Superviso

r

Volunteer

Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities

RIGHTS: RESPONSIBILITIES: To be given meaningful duties To be treated fairly and

respectfully To have effective supervision To have full involvement and

participation in approved volunteer activities

To have recognition of the service you have provided

To end your volunteer service at any time, for any reason.

To request a change of volunteer placement at any time

To request a leave of absence, if necessary

Actively perform your duties to the best of your abilities

Remain loyal to the goals and mission of Goodwill

Contribute to a positive working relationship with your supervisor/healthy working environment

Support an inclusive volunteer environment by respecting individual diversity

Complete all trainings required for your volunteer placement

Adhere to Goodwill’s loss prevention policy

Volunteer PoliciesGUIDELINES CONDUCT Volunteers must be 16 years old + Volunteers between the ages of 16-18

must obtain written permission from their legal guardian

Volunteers will be periodically evaluated by their supervisor

Supervisors will be evaluated by their volunteer periodically

Volunteers can smoke cigarettes in designated smoking areas only

Volunteers will adhere to Goodwill safety policies

Any accidents/issues will be reported immediately to both your supervisor and the Volunteer Coordinator.

All materials given to volunteer for their assignment will be returned to Goodwill at the end of service

Supervisors and volunteers are not allowed to become romantically/sexually involved

Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator with any questions.

Agree not to steal from Goodwill stores/programs/offices

Agree not to be under the influence of alcohol/drugs during your service

Agree not to create disturbances on Goodwill property or in the community while volunteering

Agree not to deface/damage Goodwill or community property

Agree to be a cooperative individual Agree to not violate any laws while

volunteering Agree to keep confidential information

secret Agree to use computer/email/telephone

appropriately Agree not to accept gifts from anyone

other than end of service thank you items from Goodwill’s Volunteer Coordinator or your direct supervisor

Agree not to participate in any publicity about Goodwill without the express permission of the Public Relations department

Dress Code All clothing will be clean,

free of holes and stains and in good repair. Footwear must be worn at all times. No open toe shoes for

safety reasons. No halter tops, midriff tops, tank tops, crop tops, spaghetti straps

(unless layered under other clothing ), shirts that do not cover the entire torso

No cut-offs, sweatpants, spandex and pajama bottoms. Wear a belt, if you prefer to wear lower cut pants. Offensive tattoos may need to be covered. Any clothing or jewelry that may be considered truly

inappropriate or offensive is not allowed. Always practice good hygiene! Regularly shower, brush teeth,

wear deodorant, maintain neat fingernails, maintain clean and presentable hair and maintain trim facial hair (men).

Appropriate Dress Look around you for examples

of what people wear in that specific work place.

Good rule of thumb-If you wouldn’t wear it around your grandma, it probably isn’t a good outfit for volunteering!

Keep it professionalSuggested wear: Business casual clothing•dress pants•mid to long length skirts• professional looking dresses •button down/collared shirts• dress shirts, polos•practical closed toe dress shoes•dressy jackets/blazers•suits•jeans if permissible at site

For outdoor work: •boots/sneakers•jeans without holes•non offensive t-shirts/sweatshirts•layer clothing as weather can change!

Volunteer Acknowledgement

Volunteers must acknowledge the following: The GINNE Volunteer Orientation contains important

information about Goodwill which I understand I am responsible for reading. I understand that I should contact the Volunteer Coordinator, if I have questions.

I have entered into a volunteer relationship with GINNE and acknowledge that I shall not receive any type of payment for volunteer services/talents. I can terminate my service at any time and for any reason. GINNE also reserves the right to end my volunteer service whenever it is deemed to be in the best interest of GINNE to do so.

If I am interested in expanding my tasks while volunteering with Goodwill, I will meet with my supervisor to determine what is available.

Thank you for your time and attention!

***Please view the Safety & Sensitivity Training now to complete orientation.