Volunteer Opportunities

Community Focus Foundation Volunteer

Management & Support policy

Policy

The achievement of the goals CFF _Pioneer community center is best served by the active participation of citizens of the community. To this end, the center accepts and encourages the involvement of volunteers at all levels and within all appropriate programs and activities. All Directors and staff are encouraged to assist in the creation of meaningful and productive roles in which volunteers might serve and to assist in recruitment of volunteers from the community.

Purpose

The purpose of these policies is to provide overall guidance and direction to staff and volunteers engaged in volunteer involvement and management efforts. These policies are intended for internal management guidance only, and do not constitute, either implicitly or explicitly, a binding contractual or personnel agreement. The Center reserves the exclusive right to change any of these policies at any time and to expect adherence to the changed policy. Changes to or exceptions from these policies may only be granted by the Volunteer Program Manager, and must be obtained in advance and in writing. Areas not specifically covered by these policies shall be determined by the Volunteer Program Manager.

Scope of Volunteer

These policies apply to all non-elected volunteers in all programs and projects undertaken on or on behalf of the center, and to all departments and sites of operation of the CFF.

Role of the Volunteer Management Department

The productive utilization of volunteers requires a planned and organized effort. The function of the volunteer management department is to provide a central coordinating point for effective volunteer management within the community, and to direct and assist staff and volunteer efforts to jointly provide more productive services. The Center shall also bear responsibility for maintaining liaison with other volunteer-utilizing programs in the community and assisting in community-wide efforts to recognize and promote volunteering. The Volunteer Program Manager shall bear primary responsibility for planning for effective volunteer utilization, for assisting staff in identifying productive and creative volunteer roles, for recruiting suitable volunteers, and for tracking and evaluating the contribution of volunteers to the agency.

Definition of ‘Volunteer’

A ‘volunteer’ is anyone who without compensation or expectation of compensation beyond reimbursement performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the Center. A ‘volunteer’ must be officially accepted and enrolled by the Center prior to performance of the task. Unless specifically stated, volunteers shall not be considered as ‘employees’ of the center.

Special Case Volunteers

CFF also accepts as volunteers those participating in student community service activities, student intern projects, alternative sentencing or diversion programs, corporate volunteer programs, and other volunteer referral programs. In each of these cases, however, a special agreement must be in effect with the organization, school, or program from which the special case volunteers originate and must identify responsibility for management and care of the volunteers.

Employees as Volunteers

The CFF accepts [does not accept] the services of staff as volunteers. This service is accepted provided that the volunteer service is provided totally without any coercive nature, involves work which is outside the scope of normal staff duties, and is provided outside of usual working hours. Family members of staff are [are not] allowed to volunteer with the center. When family members are enrolled as volunteers, they will not be placed under the direct supervision or within the same department as other members of their family who are employees.

Clients and Relatives as Volunteers

Clients may be accepted as volunteers, where such service does not constitute an obstruction to or conflict with provision of services to the client or to others. Relatives of clients may also serve as clients, but will not be placed in a position of direct service or relationship to members of their family who are receiving services.

Service at the Discretion of the Community Focus Foundation

The CFF accepts the service of all volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the agency. Volunteers agree that the center may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the volunteer’s relationship with the CFF. The volunteer may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to sever the volunteer’s relationship with the agency. Notice of such a decision should be communicated as soon as possible to the volunteer’s supervisor.

Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities

Volunteers are viewed as a valuable resource to this Community Center, its staff, and its clients. Volunteers shall be extended the right to be given meaningful assignments, the right to be treated as equal co-workers, the right to effective supervision, the right to full involvement and participation, and the right to recognition for work done. In return, volunteers shall agree to actively perform their duties to the best of their abilities and to remain loyal to the goals and procedures of the center.

Scope of Volunteer Involvement

Volunteers may be utilized in all programs and activities of the Community Center, and serve at all levels of skill and decision-making. Volunteers should not, however, be utilized to displace any paid employees from their positions.

CFF - Volunteer Support and Recognition

Reimbursement of Expenses

Volunteers are [may be] eligible for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred while undertaking business for the center. The Volunteer Management Department shall distribute information to all volunteers regarding specific reimbursable items. Prior approval must be sought for any major expenditure.

Access to Center Property and Materials

As appropriate, volunteers shall have access to CFF property and materials necessary to fulfill their duties, and shall receive training in the operation of any equipment. Property and materials shall be utilized only when directly required for center purposes.

Recognition

An annual volunteer recognition event will be conducted to highlight and reward the contribution of volunteers to the Community Center. Volunteers will be consulted and involved in order to develop an appropriate format for the event.

Informal Recognition

All staff and volunteers responsible for volunteer supervision are encouraged to undertake on-going methods of recognition of volunteer service on a regular basis throughout the year. These methods of informal recognition should range from simple ‘”Thank You ‘s , certification to a concerted effort to include volunteers as full participants in program decision making and implementation.

Volunteer Career Paths

Volunteers are encouraged to grow and develop their skills while serving with the center, and are to be assisted through promotion to new volunteer jobs to assume additional and greater responsibilities. If so desired by the volunteer, the center should assist the volunteer in maintaining appropriate records of volunteer experience that would assist the volunteer in future career opportunities, both paid and volunteer.

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