Organisations rights

• To look for certain qualities and skills in volunteers
• To select only volunteers who are suitable for the work
• To draw up a volunteer agreement or ‘contract’
• To ask for tasks to be done in a particular way
• To ask for commitment
• To ask for reliability
• To ask for punctuality
• To deal with disciplinary and grievance matters
• To ask volunteers to leave if their involvement hinders the organisation achieving its goals

Organisations responsibilities

• To ensure the volunteering experience is a rewarding one
• To ensure equal access and not to discriminate
• To define clear, meaningful roles for volunteers
• To have policies and procedures for volunteers
• To provide all necessary information to volunteers
• To be available for volunteers
• To provide training where necessary
• To thank and value volunteers
• To provide insurance cover
• To inform volunteers of any legal liabilities
• To supervise and to provide support
• Not to ask volunteers to do the work of paid staff
• To reimburse out-of-pocket expenses
• To provide a safe working environment

Reproduced with permission from South Dublin County Volunteer Centre