Volunteer Policy

Recruitment and Selection

Each prospective volunteer is interviewed to match volunteer needs and abilities with departmental goals.

Once a possible assignment is identified and the volunteer paperwork has been complete, you will be given the program supervisor's name and phone number to contact for an interview. After you and the supervisor meet to review the job description, your job skills, time, availability, and the commitment necessary to complete the job, you and the supervisor will reach a mutual decision regarding your placement.

Even with careful placement, some volunteer assignments do not work out. If you feel the assignment is not what you expected, talk to your supervisor within the first few weeks. This will allow for possible adjustments in your assignment. If an adjustment is not feasible, please call the Volunteer Services Office for a more suitable placement.

Work Schedule

Commit yourself realistically for volunteer service. Make an agreement to volunteer based on a number of hours per week and the length of time you are available.

Work schedules are established between you and your supervisor. If you find it necessary to make any changes to the agreed upon time, please notify your supervisor as far in advance as possible. Depending on the nature of your work, an alternative schedule may be arranged.

It is understood that from time to time it may be necessary for you to be absent due to illness, injury, family, or personal reasons. To avoid disruption at the work site, please notify your supervisor as far in advance as possible. If an emergency situation arises and you are unable to report to work, please contact your supervisor or have a friend or relative do so if you are unable. Remember, you are a valuable member of the work team and your absence may hamper the completion of the work assignment. After you have made a commitment for a specific time, staff will depend on your regular attendance.

Time Sheet

You are responsible for keeping a Volunteer Time Sheet and reporting your hours to your supervisor each month. Your supervisor then submits your hours to the Office of Volunteer Services (OVS) where volunteer hours from all departments are compiled and submitted quarterly to the Board of Supervisors.

Supervision

At the beginning of your assignment, your supervisor will orient you to your responsibilities. As you proceed in your placement, do not hesitate to approach your supervisor for assistance, especially if a situation arises about which you are unsure. Your supervisor has the responsibility of coordinating your on-the-job training, preparing your work assignments, submitting your time sheets to the Volunteer Services Coordinator, and evaluating your performance. Do not hesitate to ask questions or approach your supervisor for assistance during and even after your training.

Orientation and Training

After you have completed the orientation program, your supervisor will be your main resource for training. Feel free to ask questions; it is important for your satisfaction and the performance of your job that you understand from the beginning what is expected of you. Depending on your assignment, you may be required to attend some training sessions.

Confidentiality

As a volunteer you are responsible for maintaining the privacy of any information to which you are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves staff, volunteers, clients, or other persons in the overall agency business. Information regarding customers should not be the subject of casual conversation either inside or outside the department.