How To Volunteer In Australia

Transcription

1 Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre Volunteer Information Manual Volunteer! What better way to spend the day?

2 Who Volunteers? Volunteering is for anyone and everyone!

3 Summary This information manual is designed to assist you with some key areas around volunteering. Some of the areas highlighted in this manual include: ideas on how, and what areas in which you can volunteer (page 5) important points to keep in mind when securing a volunteer position (pages 9-11) a list of volunteer rights and responsibilities that you should be aware of (pages13-16) some useful information if you are a student who wishes to volunteer (pages17-19) police checks (page 20) working with children checks (page 21) some useful information if you are a Centrelink client requiring volunteer work (page 22) insurance coverage (page 23) minimum age requirements for volunteering and volunteering as a group (page 26) We have also addressed other important information that may be useful to you when seeking volunteer work. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have in regards to volunteering or the information provided in this manual. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 3

4 How Can The BVRC Help You? By finding suitable volunteer referrals for you Making contact with organisations on your behalf where requested Providing a follow up service to see how your volunteer experience is going Providing you with information, support and training programs in areas relevant to volunteering Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 4

5 What Do Volunteers Do? With over 250 community organisations, and over 500 jobs there is something for everyone! Volunteer roles may include: Administration / Clerical Aged care / disability support services Community / sporting events Education, tutoring and mentoring Food Service Gardening / Outdoor activities Hospitals / Allied Health Assistance Visit / social support and driving IT / Library Service Working with children Working with animals Professional management committee Arts / Crafts / Performing Campaigning / Lobbying Christmas Coaching / Umpiring Fundraising / Retail Marketing / PR / Media Material Relief Providing Info / Visitor Guiding Technical / Mechanical / Maintenance Working with the Aged Writing / Editing / Research Counselling/Mediation/Advocacy Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 5

6 Why Do People Volunteer? Most volunteers will tell you that they get as much out of volunteering as they give. People say they are motivated to volunteer because they: Participate in their community Have fun Stay active Learn new skills Maintain existing skills Meet new people Build self confidence Are of service To pursue a hobby or special interest To explore different career areas To get work experience To support a cause they believe in To bring about social change Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 6

7 Definition of Formal Volunteering Formal volunteering is an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and is undertaken - to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer; of the volunteer s own free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and only in designated volunteer positions which are not meant to replace paid workers. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 7

8 Principles Of Volunteering Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer Volunteer work is unpaid Volunteering is always a matter of choice Volunteering is a legitimate way for citizens to participate in the activities of their community Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers Volunteering is an activity performed only in the not for profit sector Volunteers respect the rights, dignity and culture of others Volunteering promotes human rights and equity Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 8

9 Securing A Volunteer Role Once you have contacted an organisation, providing they have vacancies, you will probably be invited to attend an interview. Every organisation conducts interviews. This is one way of finding the right volunteer for the job. With some organisations, the interview is a precursor to a lengthy selection process. In others, it is the main way a volunteer is selected. If you are not offered an interview, don't lose heart organisations may not be able to take on new volunteers for a number of reasons. An interview should not be one sided; it is also your opportunity to ask questions about the organisation. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 9

10 Securing A Volunteer Role (continued) Some questions you might ask at an interview: Will you be: covered by insurance? reimbursed for out of pocket expenses? informed as to what constitutes an out of pocket expense? reimbursed for travel? given a written job description? trained before you start your job? given ongoing or advanced training as you need or request it? assigned a supervisor or support worker? Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 10

11 Securing A Volunteer Role (continued) Be prepared to: answer questions about your previous work experience, both paid and unpaid discuss your skills and qualifications provide the names of referees be asked to undergo a police check. A volunteer would be informed of this possible requirement during or prior to an interview. A police check is not performed without the consent of the individual concerned. It is always conducted in accordance with strict guidelines to ensure confidentiality and equity. give a commitment to work on a particular day or for a designated number of hours provide relevant personal information. Interviews should be conducted in accordance with equal opportunity legislation. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 11

12 Becoming A Volunteer When you start working in a volunteer program you are a valued team member and your skills or experience will be of use to the organisation. You should expect a safe working environment, training to enable you to perform your job and ongoing support. If you have any concerns regarding your placement, deal with it promptly. Talk it through with your supervisor. Should the matter be more serious, look to use the organisation s grievance procedure. An organisation which values its staff will ensure volunteers gain as much as they give. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 12

13 Volunteer Rights And Responsibilities As a volunteer you have the right to: work in a healthy and safe environment; be interviewed and engaged in accordance with equal opportunity and anti discrimination legislation; have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988; accurate and truthful information about the organisation for which you are volunteering; Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 13

14 Volunteer Rights And Responsibilities (continued) As a volunteer you have the right to: a clearly written job description and agreed working hours; know who you are accountable to; be recognised as a valued team member; be supported and supervised in your role; be adequately covered by insurance; say no, if you feel you are being exploited; not fill a position previously held by a paid worker; not do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes; Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 14

15 Volunteer Rights And Responsibilities (continued) As a volunteer you have the right to: be advised of the organisation s policy on reimbursement for travel and for out of pocket expenses; be informed and consulted on matters which directly or indirectly affect you and your work; be given a copy of the organisation s volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work; be made aware of the grievance procedure within the organisation; and orientation to the organisation and sufficient training to do your job. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 15

16 Volunteer Rights And Responsibilities (continued) As a volunteer you have the responsibility to: be reliable; respect confidentiality; carry out the specified job description; be accountable; be committed to the organisation; undertake training as requested; ask for support when you need it; give notice before you leave the organisation; value and support other team members and carry out the work you have agreed to do responsibly, ethically and legally. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 16

17 Students and Volunteer Work or Community Service The BVRC seeks to assist a wide range of groups that are interested in pursuing volunteer work, including secondary and tertiary students. There are some challenges in placing secondary school students in some areas of interest for several reasons. Some organisations only offer ongoing roles, thereby ruling out short term appointments. Many organisations only have insurance which provides coverage to people over the age of 18 which limits the opportunities available to people 17 and under wanting to volunteer. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 17

18 Students and Volunteer Work or Community Service (continued) The BVRC can help students in several ways: Students are able to make an appointment with the BVRC for a standard referral interview. These sessions take up to an hour and will allow the student to identify vacancies that are available, and which meet the student s wish-list in terms of interests or skills. At these sessions, students will be guided through the job vacancy database to determine which organisations will take students based on age criteria. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 18

19 Students and Volunteer Work or Community Service (continued) The BVRC can help students in several ways: The BVRC can provide documentation or Introduction to Volunteering training on the rights and responsibilities of being a volunteer which students can use when making their enquiries directly to the organisations. That way, students can approach organisations of their choice independently, but still be armed with relevant and informed questions regarding volunteering. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 19

20 Useful Tips And Hints Why do I need a police check? It is at the discretion of the organisation or a requirement of their funding that determines whether they require a volunteer to undergo a police check or not. The decision will also vary depending on the nature of the work involved. In most instances, the organisation you will be volunteering for will pay for the police check. It is advisable to clarify the payment arrangement for the police check at the start. If you have to bear the costs associated with the check, and if you are agreeable to this, you can find useful information at If you are required to pay for your police check, volunteers usually have their checks charged at a subsidised rate. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 20

21 Useful Tips And Hints Why do I need a working with children check (WWCC)? Under the Working with Children Act 2005 (the Act), if you are engaged in child-related work and not exempt, you must have a WWCC even if you have undergone a Police Check. The WWCC is free of charge for volunteers and students on unpaid placements in Victoria. However, payment is applicable for the passport size photo that needs to be attached to the form. You would need to clarify with the organisation who will pay for the photographs. You will receive a reminder letter approximately three months prior to your WWCC Card expiry. Re-apply at least one month before your WWCC Card expires. More information can be found at Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 21

22 Useful Tips And Hints How do I find out about Centrelink approved agencies? Comprehensive information on this can be found at The guidelines for volunteering undertaken to meet an activity test, Mutual Obligation or participation requirement are that your voluntary work: must not replace a paid worker; is not undertaken in your own home, with your own family, or for your own organisation; must not involve violence towards people or property; must have a community focus; and must not be primarily focused on promoting particular religious or political views. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 22

23 Useful Tips And Hints Am I covered by insurance? It is important to ask an organisation if they have insurance to cover you in the case of accident or injury as volunteers are not paid employees and are therefore not covered by WorkCover. You should ask the organisation if they have both Public Liability and personal accident insurance that specifically mentions cover for volunteers. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 23

24 Useful Tips And Hints What happens if I cannot fulfil my volunteer commitment period due to unforseen circumstances? It is a good idea to be upfront at the interview itself if you have any doubts take into account both your professional and personal circumstances. The organisation may or may not be able to accommodate this and they will let you know either way. If something comes up after you become actively involved with the organisation, bring this to their attention as soon as possible and discuss it. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 24

25 Useful Tips And Hints I have gone through the recruitment process and have started volunteering with an organisation but I now find that the role is not suitable for me. What do I do now? If you don't know, it is important to find out who your direct manager or supervisor is so that you know who you can go to with any issues you may have. Communication is the key! Explain to the manager or supervisor why role is unsuitable for you it may be fixable! If you feel that you don't have the relevant skills required, the organisation may be able to offer training for you. If it is a matter of the time no longer being suitable, the organisation may be able to be flexible. However, if there are no suitable alternative options, then it s best to advise the organisation as soon as possible. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 25

26 Useful Tips And Hints Is there a minimum age limit for volunteering? Some organisations are happy to take on individuals under the age of 18, while others have a strict age limit. There are many reasons for this so it is a good idea to check beforehand of any such limits. The BVRC can advise you of this information for any of its member agencies How do we go about volunteering as a group? Contact the BVRC about your specific requirements (be sure you have details such as age group of volunteers, type of work you would like to volunteer, time frame, and other demographic requirements). The BVRC will in turn contact member agencies and find out what's available. If a suitable match is found, we will register your group or organise for individual registrations to be completed and then give you the relevant information to proceed. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 26

27 Useful Tips And Hints I have received referrals from the BVRC but I can t get through to the referred agencies. What do I do? Give the organisation a reasonable amount of time to get back to you (we recommend at least 5 working days). If you haven t heard from them, within this timeframe, please contact the BVRC and we will follow up on your behalf. I don t live in Boroondara, and I would really like to volunteer locally. What do I do? Give the BVRC a call in the first instance. We cater to volunteers not only in the Boroondara area but Melbourne wide. If we are unable to find you a suitable role, we will refer you on to another volunteer centre or service closer to you. Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 27

28 Contact Us Visit: Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre, 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell, VIC To find the BVRC, go to the main Council customer service reception desk and they will provide directions to our offices from there. Postal address: Private Bag 1, Camberwell, VIC Public transport: Tram 75 (Stop No. 43) and Driver Bus No bvrc@boroondara.vic.gov.au Website: Phone: Facebook: visit our Facebook Page - Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre Skype: boroondaravrc Blog: Volunteer! What better way to spend the day? Page 28