Induction, training and support

Induction

Even volunteers who have been appointed to a particular role because of their skills will need an introduction to the organisation and the activity. Induction can be given in a one-to-one or group meeting, and is best accompanied by a written introductory pack of materials, including copies of your mission statement and volunteering policy.
There are three elements of induction:

• Cause induction - an introduction to the work of the organisation. What its purpose is, perhaps explained in an annual report or introductory meeting for new volunteers.
• System induction - an introduction to the organisational systems, facilities and structure of the agency.
• Social induction - an introduction to staff, trustees and to other volunteers.

Source: McCurley and Lynch, Essential Volunteer Management, DSC 1998.

Training

Training may be formal or informal but it can:

• Enable volunteers to do their tasks more efficiently and effectively.
• Make volunteers feel their work is being taken seriously by the organisation, and is not just a marginal activity.
• Provide job satisfaction for the volunteer, offering help with personal development and career progression.
• Provide a benefit to volunteers - training may be used by the organisation as a means of rewarding their volunteers and thanking them. Examples might include CV preparation and public speaking courses.
• Provide a link to some recognised qualification such as an NVQ.

Support

Support is essential to help ensure that volunteers can perform to the best of their abilities and also to ensure they are gaining satisfaction from their experience; an unhappy volunteer will not hang around. Support needs to be made easily accessible and volunteers need to know who they can go to when they require support. The volunteering policy should cover how volunteers are to be supported. The support needs of volunteers will change over time, so the organisation needs to constantly review its procedures. See sample statement of support.

Find out more about other volunteer issues and examples in the In more depth section.