Volunteers are not paid khalda mohammed- krcs

Kenya Red Cross Society

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Kenya Red Cross SocietyVolunteers are not paid not because they are

worthless but because they are

PRICELESS…

By Khalda .M.

Mohammed&

Dishon Arun Harun Okejo



Background

The Red Cross was born of a desire to create a pool of volunteers from the local community to meet local needs in prevention and alleviation of human suffering of the most vulnerable groups. At first this pool was aimed at providing services to the wounded at the battlefield. Today this has moved beyond the battlefield to relevant tasks in the community.

Cont…

As a voluntary organization, the society operates through a network of 56 branches with its activities spread through out the country.

Currently the society has about 69,000 volunteers who assist in implementing activities at Headquarters and Branch Level.


A Volunteer is one who without pay reaches out beyond the confines of his or her normal responsibilities to freely and willingly carry out relevant tasks of the

KRCS with the ultimate aim of achieving the stipulated objectives of the National

Society.


Definition…

While many acknowledge and embrace the concept of volunteerism, its

practices ,integration and sustainability at both organizational and programme level

remains a challenge.To help the organization over come this challenge, Kenya Red Cross developed strategies and tools that are conceptual

thinking into action.

Kenya Red Cross SocietyDescription/Key

Findings…

Cont…Using a comprehensive and consultative process,

Kenya Red cross, developed a volunteering policy. This policy is structured so that is user

friendly, it is comprehensively packed to give all details required for volunteerism in the society.

In addition the society takes pride in its volunteers hence it has managed to use all the

9 concepts of the wheel of Volunteer Management


VOLUNTEERINGPOLICY

E WHEEL OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

1. PLANNING, IDENTIFYING & DEFINING VOLUNTEERS

ROLES

Its one thing to know that your organization needs additional help and that volunteer

are the likely source.Identifying number of Volunteers needed

in a project?There is a set up system to work with

volunteers. and keeping track records of the volunteers.


2. IDENTIFY TASKS

The society identifies tasks that the volunteer will be performing in order to meet needs.

Draws up a role description for the volunteer.


3. RECRUITMENT

The society recruits volunteers from the beneficiary communities as appropriate so as to build the capacity of communities to cope with crisis.

Considers Social & Gender balance in recruitment.

Enters into a written and signed agreement with a volunteer.


4. SELECTION

Selection criteria is developed to place volunteers in relevant departments.


5. INDUCTION Volunteer orientation process should be

done effectively to enhance smooth running and accommodation into the organization by other volunteers and Staff.

6. TRAINING In order to effectively perform the assigned

tasks, volunteers are taken through relevant trainings e.g. First Aid, Counseling, Disaster Preparedness & Response e.t.c


7. SUPPORT

Provide an enabling environment for the volunteer to perform. Well supported volunteers are more likely to feel valued, accepted and satisfied with their roles.


8. RETENTION Experienced and committed volunteers are the essence

of a project. Keeping volunteers interested and engaged is what makes a good project great.

Create a sense of belonging, make them feel valued and respected.

Prevent volunteer burn out – ensure goals are realistic and keep workload manageable.

Retention is directly impacted by how clearly the volunteer was recruited, how fairly they are supervised and how effectively they are rewarded.

Motivating them by awards, provide opportunities for leadership, capacity and skill building.etc


9. EVALUATION

Evaluate team efforts of volunteers and staff.

Evaluate the programme within which the volunteer worked.

Find out whether the volunteers contribution has added any value to the community and self.


Lessons LearntThe development of volunteer policy has

effectively and efficiently enhanced management of volunteers.

The community identifies and associates itself well with the organization due to the fact that it supports its volunteers.

Creation of enabling environment, capacity building and motivation of volunteers has seen them successful in life and even key persons in the community.


Cont…

Volunteer management is a process with nine stages, which KRCS has been able to successful embrace.

Volunteers are the ambassadors of the organization to the community thus ought to be very positive when dealing with volunteers.

Well-supported volunteers find it easier to cope with their work so provide a better service.

An informed volunteer is a happy volunteer.


T h e t r u th a b o u t A ID S . P a s s i t o n …K e n y a R e d C r o s s S o c ie ty

Volunteers are not paid khalda mohammed- krcs

Healthcare

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