Induction generally involves an orientation program to familiarise new volunteers with their organisation. Formal training may be required depending on the role to be undertaken. In any case, the volunteer will need instruction to help them in their role and in the work they do for the organisation.
Induction
Induction programs can cover a range of topics including:
- the history, vision and values of the organisation or event
- occupational health, safety and welfare issues and procedures
- work procedures, policies and practices
- codes of conduct
- training opportunities
Where volunteers are engaged on a continuing basis throughout the year, inductions may occur on a one-to-one basis. For events or major recruitment drives, formal sessions may be conducted for groups.
Depending on the type of recruitment drive, it might even be useful to have a formal induction program that includes the things that volunteers must know, what they should know and what they could know that might be useful. For instance, examples of things that volunteers must know, should know and could know for a stall-holder at an event are in the table below.
Avoid overloading new volunteers with too much information when planning induction sessions. To help with this, allocate specific time to cover each topic you think is important.
|
Must know |
Should know |
Could know |
|
General information |
- OHS and welfare information
- Fire drill and evacuation procedures
- Reporting lines
- Code of conduct
|
- Incident reporting process
- Venue information: toilets, ATMs, other stalls
- History of event and purpose
|
- Resources to undertake role
- Other volunteer roles and positions
- Other event attractions
|
|
Job-specific information
|
- Estimated set-up times
- Logistics information (where to access stalls / merchandise)
- Details of float and money issues
|
- Customer service text (what to say to customers)
- Daily schedule
- Meal allocation
|
- Volunteer breakout area
- Checklists, operating procedures
|
Training
Training for staff and volunteers is an important consideration for any organisation. For some roles, training is essential but it can also motivate volunteers and help them to achieve and maintain satisfaction in their role. A volunteer who is well trained and competent in their role is likely to have more reason to continue volunteering.
If your volunteers need formal training, this can be a great way to boost their skills and assist them to gain recognised qualifications. A toolkit and guide for people who train volunteers is provided by Volunteering Australia.
Free training programs
A range of free training is available for the volunteer sector. To find out what training is being offered please contact the closest organisation listed on the Office for Volunteers website.
More information
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