Volunteer Centres Ireland

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Volunteer Centres Ireland

• Fiona Cunnane
• Manager
• Carlow Volunteer Centre

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1. Volunteer Centres Ireland overview
2. Working with your local Volunteer Centre
3. The features of a good volunteering opportunity

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Volunteer Centres Ireland

• . is the national body with responsibility for
  promoting and developing volunteering in Ireland
  both locally and nationally
• ..made up of a network of 20 Volunteer Centres

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Member Volunteer Centres

• Carlow Volunteer Centre
• Clare Volunteer Centre
• Cork Volunteer Centre
• County Wicklow Volunteer Centre
• Donegal Volunteer Centre
• Drogheda Volunteer Centre
• Dublin City South Volunteer Centre
• Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Volunteer Centre
• Fingal Volunteer Centre
• Galway Volunteer Centre

• Kerry Volunteer Centre
• Kildare Volunteer Centre
• Longford Volunteer Centre
• Mayo Volunteer Centre
• Meath Volunteer Centre
• Monaghan Volunteer Centre
• Sligo Volunteer Centre
• South Dublin County Volunteer Centre
• South Tipperary Volunteer Centre
• Westmeath Volunteer Centre

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Role of Volunteer Centres

• Database of volunteers, volunteer-involving
  organisations and volunteering opportunities
• Suggest matches between volunteers and
  opportunities
• Training How To Manage Volunteers
• Garda Vetting Authorised Signatory Service
• Promote and highlight volunteers contributions

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Volunteer Centres Ireland 2009

• Over 10,000 registered volunteers 120 increase
  on this period in 2008
• 61 have never volunteered before
• 68 are aged under 35 years
• 3,850 registered organisations
• Year end expectation generate 350,000 hours
  voluntary work 200 organisations trained in
  volunteer management

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Working with your local Volunteer Centre

• Placement of Clients
• Volunteer Role Development
• Volunteer Management Training

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Involving Volunteers

• Volunteer Expectations
• To have clear, specific roles
• To be offered training appropriate to their role
• To be provided support and supervision
• To have access to a grievance procedure
• To be reimbursed their expenses where possible

• Organisation expectations
• To have tasks done in a particular way and for a
  specific duration
• That volunteers are punctual and reliable
• To only select volunteers who are suitable

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Volunteer Management

• Essential Elements When Planning to Involve
  Volunteers
• Volunteer Role Description
• Volunteer Agreement
• Interview/Selection Process
• Support Supervision Process
• Volunteer Policy

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Role Descriptions

• Role description
• Describes the tasks
• Working conditions
• Support available, supervision, training
• Administration issues expenses
• Person specification
• Essential capabilities of the person to undertake
  the task
• Desirable qualities
• Expectations of the volunteer

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Volunteer Agreements

• Clarifies expectations regarding
• Main duties
• Time commitment
• The length of trial period, the supports provided
  during this time
• Expectations of role following completion of
  trial period
• Initial training required
• On-going training available
• Equal opportunties, health safety commitment
• Expenses paid and when
• Insurance cover
• Contact person / next of kin

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Further Information

• www.volunteer.ie
• Volunteer Centres Ireland
• DMG Business Centre, 9 13 Blackhall Place,
  Dublin 1
• info_at_volunteer.ie
• 01 7994519