Recruiting and Involving Volunteers in the School

1. Recruiting and Involving Volunteers in the School

2. Definition of Volunteering ‘Volunteering is the commitment of time and energy for the benefit of society and the community, the environment, or individuals outside one’s immediate family. It is undertaken freely and without concern for financial gain.’

3. Are there any volunteers out there? • 282,067 formal volunteers • 29,335 volunteers in public sector • 10,678 volunteer in children’s education/schools It’s All About Time. Volunteering in Northern Ireland (2007)

4. Reasons for getting involved 50% 5% Improve things/help people No-one else to do it 28% Cause was really important to me Give me a chance to learn new skills 4% 24% Had time to spare Helps me get on in my career 23% 3% A need in my community Religious belief or philosophy of life to help people 23% Social or political principles 3% 17% Chance to use my existing skills Chance to get recognised qualification 2% 15% Friends/family did it To structure my day 1% 12% Meet people/make friends Had received voluntary help Connected with the needs of my family/friends 1% 12% It’s All About Time (2007)

5. Benefits • Satisfaction with results 74% • Personal enjoyment 73% • Meet people 63% • Use skills/knowledge 63% • Broaden experience 59% • Learn new skills 46% • Maintains health/activity 30% • Improve employment prospects 24% It’s All About Time (2007)

6. Funding Ideas New services Skills Fun Duty Recognition Expertise Community involvement Satisfaction Dedication Learning Friendship Diversity Experience Time Worth Flexibility Welcome Experience Management Expertise Enthusiasm Time Resources Information Clear roles Credibility Support Ideas Training Contacts Skill Insurance A different view of volunteering SCHOOL VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEERING ORGANISATION

7. What would make you volunteer? 17.5% of non-volunteers (1 in 6 individuals) said they would be willing to do some unpaid work if asked. Factors that would encourage non-volunteers to volunteer include: • 36% if they became aware of a need in the community; • 28% if new skills could be developed; • 24% if they could meet new people; • 24% if there was more information available; • 24% if there was flexibility about timing of the involvement; • 21% if the group offered training and accreditation; • 18% if the group offered to reimburse expenses. • Taken from ‘Its all about Time’ (2007)

8. RECRUITMENT PLAN Recruitment plan for volunteers VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 1. Why does your school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does your school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does your school want the volunteers to have? 4. How will your school find volunteers? 5. How will your school select which volunteer they want? 6. How will your school manage the volunteer after selection? Remember - Avoid going public until the plan is done.

9. Recruitment plan for volunteers 1. Whydoes your school want to involve volunteers? VALUE BASE ETHOS

10. 100% 100% Benefits of involving volunteers Adds extra range of skills, experience, fresh ideas that would not exist without their involvement Volunteers enhance the effectiveness of the organisation They provide a service that complements what employees can offer. They are very committed, flexible and enthusiastic Community involvement Try out new ways of working and innovative projects Can increase service provision

11. Recruitment plan for volunteers 1. Why does the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? • Clear roles determine : • who would be interested in volunteering, • who would be able/suitable to volunteer.

12. Building a volunteer role Why? What will the volunteer be doing? Where and when will the volunteer have to carry out the role? With whom? What supervision and support will be offered? What’s in it for the volunteer?

13. Recruitment plan for volunteers 1. Why does the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does the school want volunteers to have?

14. But what about me? I’m keen to learn Have a genuine caring nature I’m only free on Tuesday 12 –2 Have not volunteered before No previous experience but happy to attend any training required Have basic skills but will develop with training/support Ideal volunteer We want a volunteer with: Good knowledge of schools Previous relevant training Great communication skills Relevant previous work/volunteering experience Friendly, reliable, enthusiastic, fun, dynamic personality Available every afternoon from 1-3pm WISH LIST

15. Recruitment plan for volunteers 1. Why does the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does the school want the volunteers to have? 4. How will the school find volunteers?

16. Recruitment of volunteers - key principles Schools must have a clear value base for involving volunteers The needs of the school and the needs of the volunteer must be met A clear role with full information about what is required is important Schools should make it easy for people to volunteer The image of the school in the community is important A well thought through recruitment message is key

17. RECRUITMENT PLAN Recruitment plan for volunteers VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 1. Whydoes the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does the school want the volunteers to have? 4. How will the school find volunteers? 5. How will the school select which volunteer they want? Remember - Avoid going public until the plan is done.

18. Matching ‘offers’ and ‘needs’ VolunteerSchool • Time • Experience • Skills • Qualities Tasks done - in a particular way - to a particular standard NEEDS OFFERS • Clearly defined work • Opportunities • Challenge • Support • Role satisfaction • Support • Motivation fulfilled • Friendship OFFERS NEEDS

19. Selection of volunteers - key principles Having the wrong volunteers is worse than having no volunteers at all Take all reasonable steps to ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from volunteering Selection procedures are necessary - but should be in keeping with the type of role(s) All volunteers must go through the same selection procedure for the same role Remember equality of opportunity for all - leave your prejudices at home Inform all volunteers from the start that a selection procedure will be followed and that not all candidates will be successful

20. RECRUITMENT PLAN Recruitment plan for volunteers VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 1. Why does the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does the school want the volunteers to have? 4. How will the school find volunteers? 5. How will the school select which volunteer they want? 6. How will the school manage the volunteer after selection? Remember - Avoid going public until the plan is done.

21. 70% Why I left…… Volunteering in Northern Ireland 2001 • Badly organised • Changing work/home circumstances • Organisation made unfair demands • No-one thanked me • I didn’t feel involved • Badly organised • Was only given menial tasks • Got no satisfaction • Was too much work • Lack of training in my role • Wasn’t what I was expecting • Couldn’t afford bus fare • No-one spoke to me

22. It highlights: • Value • Contribution • Role Offers framework to develop: • procedures or practices in working with volunteers • monitoring, reviewing and development of volunteering Why develop a Volunteer Policy? Sets out how volunteering will be promoted and managed within your school. VOLUNTEERS

23. RECRUITMENT PLAN Recruitment plan for volunteers VOLUNTEER SCHOOL 1. Why does the school want to involve volunteers? 2. What does the school want volunteers to do? 3. What qualities/skills does the school want volunteers to have? 4. How will the school find volunteers? 5. How will the school select which volunteer they want? 6. How will the school manage the volunteer after selection? Remember - Avoid going public until the plan is done.