Volunteer Centres IrelandFiona Cunnane

ManagerCarlow Volunteer Centre

1. Volunteer Centres Ireland overview

2. Working with your local Volunteer Centre

3. The features of a good volunteering opportunity

Volunteer Centres Ireland

…. is the national body with responsibility for promoting and

developing volunteering in Ireland both locally and nationally

…..made up of a network of 20 Volunteer Centres

Member Volunteer Centres:

•Carlow Volunteer Centre

•Clare Volunteer Centre

•Cork Volunteer Centre

•County Wicklow Volunteer Centre

•Donegal Volunteer Centre

•Drogheda Volunteer Centre

•Dublin City South Volunteer Centre

•Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre

•Fingal Volunteer Centre

•Galway Volunteer Centre

•Kerry Volunteer Centre

•Kildare Volunteer Centre

•Longford Volunteer Centre

•Mayo Volunteer Centre

•Meath Volunteer Centre

•Monaghan Volunteer Centre

•Sligo Volunteer Centre

•South Dublin County Volunteer Centre

•South Tipperary Volunteer Centre

•Westmeath Volunteer Centre

Role of Volunteer Centres

• Database of volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations and volunteering opportunities

• Suggest matches between volunteers and opportunities

• Training – How To Manage Volunteers

• Garda Vetting Authorised Signatory Service

• Promote and highlight volunteers’ contributions

Volunteer Centres Ireland 2009

• Over 10,000 registered volunteers – 120% increase on this period in 2008

• 61% have never volunteered before

• 68% are aged under 35 years

• 3,850 registered organisations

• Year end expectation: generate 350,000 hours voluntary work; 200 organisations trained in volunteer management

Working with your local Volunteer Centre • Placement of Clients

• Volunteer Role Development

• Volunteer Management Training

Involving VolunteersVolunteer Expectations

•To have clear, specific roles

•To be offered training appropriate to their role

•To be provided support and supervision

•To have access to a grievance procedure

•To be reimbursed their expenses where possible

Organisation expectations

•To have tasks done in a particular way and for a specific duration

•That volunteers are punctual and reliable

•To only select volunteers who are suitable

Volunteer ManagementEssential Elements When Planning to Involve

Volunteers:

• Volunteer Role Description

• Volunteer Agreement

• Interview/Selection Process

• Support & Supervision Process

• Volunteer Policy

Role DescriptionsRole description

• Describes the tasks

• Working conditions

• Support available, supervision, training…

• Administration issues – expenses…

Person specification

• Essential capabilities of the person to undertake the task

• Desirable qualities

• Expectations of the volunteer

Volunteer AgreementsClarifies expectations regarding:

•Main duties•Time commitment•The length of trial period, the supports provided during

this time•Expectations of role following completion of trial period•Initial training required•On-going training available•Equal opportunties, health & safety commitment•Expenses paid and when•Insurance cover•Contact person / next of kin

Further Information

• www.volunteer.ie

• Volunteer Centres Ireland

DMG Business Centre, 9 – 13 Blackhall Place, Dublin 1

• info@volunteer.ie

• 01 7994519