AUSA Volunteer Induction

Introduction to AUSA

About AUSA... • What is AUSA?

Representative body which is the voice of ALL students at the University of Aberdeen

• Who is AUSA? You! 15,000 students, Executive Committee,

Council • Where is AUSA? Butchart, ASV, Foresterhill, Hillhead

What do we do?

AUSA Mission Statement

The Aberdeen University Students’ Association provides representation and services for

students, run by students, to enhance their experiences and enable students to enjoy and

gain more from their university education.

AUSA Vision

‘Enriching and supporting the student community by providing a wide

range of high quality services and opportunities’.

AUSA CORE VALUES

Our values inform everything we do and should always be considered in

the course of your volunteering, therefore we should always provide:

• A pleasant, safe and healthy environment • An environment where students should have fun

while learning • Effective representation, advice and support for

students • Student focused service provision • Opportunities for personal development • Accountability, integrity and fairness • Always striving for continuous improvement

Volunteering Action Plan

AUSA Staff Structure 2013

General Manager Bryan Snelling

Membership Engagement Manager

Graeme Hope

Sports Development Manager

John Duguid

Sports Administrator (Temp)

Steven Dale

MIDAS Assessor Dave Spowatt

Societies Administrator

Laura Chalmers

Student Advice Manager (Acting)

Shona Howie

Student Advice centre Assts

Volunteer Coordinator

Michelle Higgins

Academic Advice Coordinator (Temp)

Esther Milne

Residents Community Development Coordinator Karen Reid

Climate Change Coordinator

Hannah Towsey

Finance Assistant Doreen Osborne

Education Development Coordinator

Jennifer Krase

Representation & Democracy Coord

Trish Burnett

Commercial & Communications

Manager Ross Brechin

Events & Campaigns Coordinator

Mhari Mcintyre

Coffee Shop Supervisor Heather Low

Coffee Shop Assistants

AUSA Receptionists

Design & Marketing Coordinator (P/T)

Jonathan MacDonell

Finance Manager Michelle Elrick

Evening Building Supervisor

Tabatha Evans

SA Council Trustee Board

Welfare Committee

Welfare Committee

Societies Union

Charities Campaign Sports Union

Executive Committee

General Meeting

Referenda

Employability Committee

Equal Opps Committee

Foresterhill Committee

Enviro & Ethics Cttee

Marketing & Comms Cttee

Elections Committee

Discipline Committee

Staffing Committee

Education Committee

Finance Committee

Ents Committee

Nominations Committee

AUSA Governance Structure 2012/13

Health and Safety

Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) is committed to providing safe and well organised volunteering opportunities and therefore takes very seriously the Health & Safety of all of its

volunteers and service users. AUSA reviews on a yearly basis the health and safety procedures it has in place for all volunteers and service users

including updating and implementing any relevant/ necessary training.

• All volunteers shall, for the purposes of health and safety will be subject to the rules and regulations as outlined in the AUSA Health & Safety policy in line with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

• All areas within AUSA that involve volunteers will produce annual risk assessments/ codes of practice, copies of which will be held centrally by AUSA and available to volunteers/ service users upon request.

• Responsibility for Health & Safety within AUSA rests with its Trustee Board who defers delegated authority for this to the General Manager. The General Manager will take all reasonable and practical steps to ensure that the union is compliant with all statutory obligations whilst striving to maintain a system of best practice within all areas of AUSA activities including volunteering.

• AUSA will provide volunteers with any Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that maybe required for the volunteer to carry out the duties/ tasks within their role.

• Volunteers must abide by all policies and procedures and follow all instructions given to them by AUSA/ AUSA staff member responsible for the area in which they are volunteering.

• In order to maximise the safety and enjoyment of

your volunteering there is a need to be aware of your personal safety and the safety of other people around you. As a volunteer with AUSA you have the right to be safe whilst volunteering. You also have the responsibility not to endanger yourself or others through your actions.

• All AUSA volunteers should be aware of University of Aberdeen emergency procedures.

• If you have an emergency on campus, then call SECURITY on x3939 on an internal phone or (01224) 273939 from an external phone or mobile – do not call the emergency services. If you are involved in an emergency at another location you should follow any local procedures, failing that you should call the emergency services on 999 or 112 (for abroad)

Discovering a Fire • If you discover a fire, attempt to extinguish it ONLY if no

personal risk is involved. • Fire Alarms are located throughout the Butchart Centre. • Leave by the nearest, safest exit – these will be shown to you

during a tour of the Butchart at the end of this induction. • The fire assembly point is on University Road directly across

from the Butchart Centre.

• Accidents within Butchart Centre • In the event of an accident you should: • Let a member of AUSA Staff know as soon as possible. • A First Aid Kit is located at Reception on the ground floor

of the Butchart Centre. You should also complete the Accident Report book located at Reception.

• Where medical assistance is required, and no member of AUSA Staff is available ring SECURITY on x3939

• Accidents outside of Butchart Centre/ University • In the event of an accident in this case you should: • If necessary call the Emergency Services. • Notify the supervisor/ AUSA staff member responsible for

overseeing your role. • Where the supervisor/ AUSA staff member is not available

notify University Security on (01224) 273939.

Introduction to Volunteering Confidentiality

• Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) is committed to confidentiality. Nothing personal that another individual tells us within our service will be shared with any other organisation or individual outside of AUSA without permission.

• The volunteer will maintain confidentiality whilst volunteering and after they have ended

volunteering with AUSA.

• We believe that the principles of confidentiality must be integrated across all aspects of our services, operation and management.

Definition:

• ‘AUSA understands confidentiality to mean that no information regarding a volunteer or other individual shall be given directly or indirectly to any organisation or individual external to the Students’ Association, without consent to disclose such information’

All volunteers should ensure that no discussions relating to an individual will take place outside of the Students’ Union premises.

Rights and Responsibilities

What can you expect as an AUSA Volunteer?

As an AUSA Volunteer you can expect: • A comprehensive induction to your role. • Support and supervision from a named contact. • Training where appropriate. • A fun, supportive & positive environment that ensures you enjoy volunteering. • To be treated with respect, courtesy and fairness regardless of gender, sexual

orientation, age, parental or marital status, disability, religion, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or socio/economic background.

• To say no to any tasks you don’t feel comfortable with. • Recognition and thanks. • The right to refuse to carry out any request you consider unreasonable. • We will ensure your safety and you will be insured when undertaking

volunteering with us. • To be paid reasonable out of pocket expenses by prior arrangement.

In return we ask that you: • Act as an Ambassador for AUSA and not bring its work into disrepute. • Adhere to the AUSA policies and procedures outlined within this

document. • Attend appropriate training and meetings. • Are open and honest in your dealings with AUSA. • Treat fellow student volunteers and staff with courtesy and respect. • Have fun – we want you to be happy and enthusiastic about your

volunteering. • Let us know if you wish to change the nature of your contribution. • Let us know if we can improve the service and support that you receive. • Respect confidentiality.

Grievances • It is important if you feel dissatisfied with any matter relating to your volunteering

there is a means by which you can air your grievance and have it resolved. While a formal procedure exists, nothing prevents you from seeking to resolve the matter of concern by informal means, without there being a written record.

• If you wish to pursue the matter as a formal complaint/grievance, you should follow the procedure below –

• In respect of a complaint/grievance against a fellow student or volunteer, contact the AUSA Volunteer Co-ordinator in the first instance and they will explain the process in line with the complaints/disciplinary procedure as outlined in the AUSA Constitution.

• In respect of a complaint/grievance against an AUSA staff member, in the first instance you should put it in writing to the AUSA General Manager. They will then deal with this as outlined in the AUSA employee handbook.

• In respect of a complaint/grievance against an external organisation, contact the AUSA Volunteer Co-ordinator in the first instance and they will raise the matter with the organisation and follow their procedures.

• If you have a complaint/grievance against AUSA in general that can’t be resolved, you can choose to then raise it with the University of Aberdeen. You should put your complaint/grievance in writing to the University Secretary who will then investigate this in line with University and AUSA procedures.

Awards and Recognition

Saltire Awards for Young Volunteers: • Details of the Saltire Awards (for volunteers aged 12-25 years) and how

volunteers can register for the Awards are available at: http://www.saltireawards.org.uk/ • The Saltire Awards help encourage even more young people to volunteer

and give them good recognition. Volunteers will receive certificates for their volunteering contribution and as an added bonus can also claim Reward Points on their Young Scot Card (this is part of the Accord Card in Aberdeen City).

• Saltire Awards are available for undertaking: • Challenge- This is a one-off team event that will give you an idea of what

volunteering might be like. • Approach- If you want to get the feel of what it's like to volunteer regularly

then this is for you. You can get a certificate for 10 or 25 hours of volunteering.

• Ascent- This is all about long term volunteering. Certificates are awarded for 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours of volunteering.

• For any further details please contact the ACVO-Volunteer Centre • (E-mail: VolunteerCentre@acvo.org.uk).

Awards and Recognition

AUSA Award • The AUSA Award is for students who have completed the MV Award and want to continue

logging their hours or for students who don’t fit the criteria of the MV Award. • You will receive a certificate signed by the AUSA President and the AUSA General Manager

just prior to your graduation.

King’s Awards • The Kings' Awards are for Students who actively engage in student activities and ensure

their continuous existence. Whether you write for Gaudie or volunteer for Niteline, almost all student activities participants are eligible according to the following list:

• Society members, including committee and non-committee members. • Volunteers for the Charities Campaign, including, but not limited to, Bookends Volunteers

and Student Show volunteers. • Students active within Student Media such as Gaudie and ASR. • Active members of council. • Niteline and Vegbag volunteers. • Other volunteers such as Dirty Weekenders participants and other AUSA affiliated groups

except sport. • You are eligible for any of the two levels. If the awards committee decides you have not

met the criteria you may receive a commendation. You can only receive one level once throughout your time at university.

Awards and Recognition • Students Taking Active Roles (S.T.A.R) Award • The STAR Award provides you with a framework to support your skills and attribute development

outside the classroom. It is also an opportunity to achieve recognition for your contribution to a wide range of Students’ Association, on-campus/peer support and community-based/volunteering based roles affiliated with the University. It has been designed around five, employability-related Aberdeen Graduate Attributes.

• Any registered University of Aberdeen student can participate in the STAR Award! All you need is to hold a recognised role and register at the start of the academic year.

• The Award is split up into Gold, Silver and Bronze recognition, with each role being recognised at a certain level.

• As well as holding one of the recognised roles, and participating in this role regularly, you will: • Complete one Skills Development and one Interview Skills workshop. • Reflect on your development and achievement of Aberdeen Graduate Attributes in your STAR Award

Portfolio, within MyAberdeen. • Undertake a unique competency-based interview. • To complete the STAR Award, you will share your STAR Award Portfolio with a two-person assessment

panel which normally comprises of a member of University staff and an employer. Your assessment panel will also conduct your competency-based interview.

• Your application for the STAR Award will be judged on both the strength of your Portfolio submission and interview performance.

• You can register for the STAR Award at the start of the academic year. You will need to fill in an application form and attend a short briefing session to find out more about the STAR Award.

http://www.ausa.org.uk/volunteering/register

Any Questions?