Selection criteria need to be fair and within equal opportunity guidelines. If you ask for references, it is a good idea to provide referees with a copy of the role description and a pro forma reply that asks them to comment on the suitability of the volunteer for this particular work. If presented with a volunteer who is evidently unsuitable for the work you have, check whether there is other work in the organisation that they could do. If not, you should reject them, telling them why.

As a group, you should ask yourselves the following questions:

• Which qualifications, skills, experience, and qualities are essential?
• Which qualifications, skills, experience, and qualities are desirable?
• How will new members be prepared for participating within the group?
• Who will support and supervise new members?
• To whom will the member be accountable?
• Who will review and evaluate progress?
• If things do not work out, who will deal with it?

Practical aspects

Prior to recruiting any member, you need to have prepared the following:

• application form
• background information sheet about your group
• members’ policy
• Organisation Handbook
• a clear understanding of the role you require the member to fulfill, including a description of the skills they possess or need to acquire

You also need to establish some recruitment procedures, and know who will be leading the interview.