Volunteer Orientation [Insert your presentation title]

1. Volunteer Orientation[Insert your presentation title] [Insert presenter information:] Presenter Name(s) Organization Name Program Name Date [Or insert your logo]

2. Welcome Volunteers • Congratulations on joining the [insert your organization & program name RSVP/FGP/SCP]!

3. Session Agenda • Who We Are • Our mission • Our programs • The Volunteer’s Role • Eligibility • Assignments • Program Expectations • Policy, procedures, and paperwork • Volunteer Resources

4. Training Objectives By the end of this session, you will be able to: • Understand the purpose of the RSVP program • Understand a bit more about fellow volunteers • Locate resources to answer your questions about our programs, assignments, policies and procedures • Complete the Volunteer Registration form • Select a volunteer assignment

5. “Many ask, what can I do to help in our fight?” The answer is simple. All of us can become a September 11th volunteer by making a commitment to service in our own communities.”   -President George W. Bush, November 8th, 2001

6. National Call For Volunteers “President Bush Taps AmeriCorps and Senior Corpsto Support Homeland Security Efforts” “Corporation for National and Community Service to mobilize 20,000 volunteers” -November 9, 2001

7. Why Volunteer? • Make a positive difference in your community • Share your skills and life experiences • Offer assistance and guidance to others • Learn new skills • Meet other volunteers with similar interests

8. Introductions • Introduce yourself and tell us: • “How did you hear about this program?” • “What most interests you about volunteering for this program?”

9. Our Mission Statement [Insert your organization or program mission statement here]

10. Who We Are • National Senior Service Corps • Foster Grandparents Program (FGP) • Senior Companion Program (SCP) • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

11. www.seniorcorps.org

12. Organizational Chart [insert your organizational chart]

13. How RSVPs Make a Difference RSVP volunteers provide hundreds of community services, such as: • Tutor children in reading and math • Help to build houses • Help get children immunized • Model parenting skills to teen parents • Participate in neighborhood watch programs • Plan community gardens • Deliver meals • Offer disaster relief to victims of natural disasters • Help community organizations operate more efficiently. How would you like to serve today??

14. Activity Activity: “Making a Difference” • The goal: • Learn more about each other’s skills, career backgrounds, and interests • Think about how we can work together to make a difference in our community

15. Activity In small groups… • Pick a project that you think would make a difference in the community. • Answer the following: • What are your goals for the project? • Who would you be serving directly? • Who else would benefit from this effort? • Determine what is needed to get the job done successfully: • What exactly do we need to do? • What inputs do we need? (e.g. materials, information, skills and experience, etc.) • Where do we get what we need? • What skills can each of us contribute to the effort?

16. RSVP Is For You If You… • Want flexibility in volunteer service • RSVP offers maximum flexibility and choice - you to choose how & where you want to serve • Want to make a difference in your community • RSVP matches your personal interests and skills with opportunities to help solve community problems.

17. RSVP - Eligibility Requirements • RSVP volunteers must be: • 55 years of age or older • Willing to serve without compensation • Willing to accept supervision as required • Living within the RSVP service area, or an area not served by another RSVP

18. RSVP Also Provides You With: • Pre-service orientation • On-the-job training • Supplemental insurance while on duty • Meals • Transportation reimbursement • Volunteer recognition events

19. How Our Program is Making a Difference • Specific project descriptions • [insert your own examples]

20. The Volunteer’s Role How Volunteers Make a Difference • In the community • To themselves

21. …In the Community “Making a difference in the lives of others, reaching out, sharing and caring for others, describes the RSVP volunteer." • Sadie Elliott has served an an RSVP volunteer in Inskster, Michigan for 20 years.

22. …To Themselves "We're used to working all our lives and volunteering has become an extension of that. It gives us something valuable to do, and we enjoy helping people." • RSVP volunteers Joan and Michael Johnson help Cape May, New Jersey seniors prepare their income taxes.

23. Volunteer Assignments • Selecting a station • Interviewing with the station • Reporting your hours (timesheets) • Programming for impact • “What difference does it make in the community?” • Disciplinary action • Volunteer separation

24. Volunteer Stations • Our Volunteer Stations • [insert your program’s volunteer stations] • [If you’re online, insert a URL that links to the station’s website if they have one.] • Current volunteer positions available • [insert your program’s available volunteer positions] • [If you’re online, insert a URL that links to your own program’s website where available positions may be posted.]

25. Rights Receive a job description Receive adequate training Receive appropriate guidance/feedback Receive recognition for services provided Responsibilities Adhere to policies and procedures Attend training(s) Report any problems encountered Maintain confidentiality Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities

26. Program expectations • Program requirements • Program policies • Required paperwork • Common concerns • For new volunteers • For the organization

27. Volunteer resources • Volunteer handbook • Other supporting materials • [If you’re online, insert a URL that links to your own program’s website, and give participants a tour] • Contact name/phone for organization • Volunteer tips • See FAQ handout

28. In Conclusion • Our mission • Our hopes for you

29. Activity Your Own Action Plan • Now it’s time to construct a plan to apply what you’ve learned today to your own volunteer work. • Individually complete “My Individual Learning Action Plan” worksheet.

30. “Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.” -President Bill Clinton “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” -Mahatma Ghandhi