Induction

What you do on the first day/ first meeting determines whether a volunteer will come back again! Induction helps volunteers become familiar with the people, the office, the role and the organisation. Make them feel welcome i.e. prepare an induction timetable and a plan that includes an introduction to other volunteers and staff in the organisation, a list of committee members, latest annual report, essential policies and information about their role. This should be done as soon as possible after selection and can fill a useful gap while waiting for references. Formal induction should include a session on training needs and more detail about the service the group provides.

Maintenance - keeping volunteers interested

Whatever systems you have for supporting and supervising volunteers, you will need to know that the work they are doing continues to meet the organisations needs and satisfies their personal reasons for volunteering. People may become bored and reviews are a way of identifying where there is a need to re look at the group, either for personal development or organisational reasons. Recognition and appreciation of volunteers should be built into a volunteer strategy – whether it is provided formally through training, or informally through thank you events such as parties, birthday cards, mentions in newsletters and annual reports. Organisations should continually try to find ways to reinforce the message that volunteers are a valuable and important asset.