Celeb FC Volunteering Policy
This policy sets out the broad principles for voluntary involvement in
Celeb FC
It is of relevance to all within the organisation, including volunteers, staff, members, and those elected or appointed to positions of responsibility.
Commitment
Celeb FC acknowledges that volunteers contribute in many ways, that their contribution is unique and that volunteering can benefit users of services, staff,local communities and the volunteers themselves.
Celeb FC charity football values the contribution made by volunteers and is committed to involving volunteers in appropriate positions and in ways which are encouraging, supportive and which develop volunteering.
Celeb FC recognises its responsibility to arrange its volunteering efficiently and sensitively so that the valuable gift of the volunteer’s time is best used to the mutual advantage of all concerned.
Definition
Volunteering is an important expression of citizenship as well as an important
component of democracy. Volunteers are people who are, unpaid and of their own
free will, contribute their time, energy and skills to benefit the community.
Statement of values and principles
Volunteering is a legitimate and crucial activity that is supported and encouraged by
Celeb FC and is not intended to be a substitute for paid employment.
The role of volunteers complements but does not replace the role of paid staff.
Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that paid staff are clear about the role of
volunteers and to foster good working relationships between paid staff and volunteers.
Volunteers will not be used during times of industrial action to do the work of paid staff.
The volunteer role is a gift relationship, binding only in honour, trust and mutual
understanding. No enforceable obligation, contractual or otherwise, can be imposed on
volunteers to attend, give or be set a minimum amount of time to carry out the tasks
involved in their voluntary activity. Likewise, the organisation cannot be compelled to
provide either regular tasks, payment or other benefit for any activity undertaken by the
volunteer.
Although volunteers offer time freely and willingly without binding obligation, there is a
presumption of mutual support and reliability. Reciprocal expectations are acknowledged
both of what the organisation expects of volunteers and what volunteers expect of the
organisation.
Volunteer Co-ordination
All volunteers will have a nominated member of staff or volunteer to offer guidance and
advice to help the volunteer carry out tasks effectively. Volunteers will be informed of
who to contact to receive support and supervision.
The nominated post holder with overall responsibility for the development of voluntary
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activities within the organisation is Karin Flower – Celeb FC Family Founder.
This person is responsible for the management and welfare of the organisation’s
Volunteers.
Recruitment & Selection.
Celeb FC is committed to equal opportunities and believes that volunteering should be open to all regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs or offending background that does not create a risk to vulnerable groups including children. The acceptance of volunteer assistance for a particular role is made on merit, the sole selection criterion being the individual’s suitability to carry out agreed tasks. Information about the volunteer not relevant to the performance of the volunteering tasks concerned will be disregarded by the organisation in terms of recruitment and selection.
Volunteering opportunities will be widely promoted in ways that makes them accessible
to all members of the community.
Volunteers who are considered unsuitable for a particular task will either be offered
alternative voluntary involvement with the organisation or referred to the nearest alternative Volunteer Centre.
All charity football volunteers will be asked for a personal reference and will be invited to attend an
Informal interview. If the volunteer will be carrying out activities with vulnerable groups (children and/or adults) there may be other safer recruitment procedures carried out
including asking a volunteer to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services
(DBS) check. More detailed information will be made available specific to legislative
requirements and to the particular volunteer position.
Volunteers will have a clear and concise task description, which will be subsequently
reviewed annually. The task description will be prepared in conjunction with the volunteer and the designated person referred to above.
New volunteers will be properly inducted into the organisation. Volunteers will be properly briefed about the activities to be undertaken and given all the necessary information to enable them to perform with confidence.
Training & Development
All volunteers will be made aware of and have access to all the organisation’s relevant
policies, including those relating to volunteering, health & safety, safeguarding vulnerable groups and equal opportunities.
The development of training and support for volunteers is a high priority for the
Celeb FC Family in order to equip them with the necessary information and skills to carry
out their tasks. We will be working closely with groups and charities we support, to access training courses (if appropriate) to ensure our volunteers have every necessary training aid available to them. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to attend relevant training if offered.
Training in the supervision of volunteers will be provided for all those who have direct
responsibility for volunteers.
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Support, Supervision and Recognition
Volunteers will have a named person to whom they can take their volunteering
concerns and seek guidance and support.
Volunteers will have access to regular support and supervision. This will enable both
the volunteer and the supervisor to identify, monitor and evaluate the volunteer’s
involvement, recognise achievements and identify individual training needs, including
that relevant to their particular volunteering role and to their wider personal
development. The frequency, duration and format of these sessions will be negotiated
between the volunteer and the designated officer referred to above.
Volunteers will be given the opportunity, where relevant, to share their views and
opinions with the organisation’s wider staff, at staff meetings etc.
A process will be developed (Structure and format to be confirmed) in order to give formal recognition of the contribution of Celeb FC’s volunteers (e.g. internal awards, articles in newspapers and Newsletters, thank you letters etc.) or outline any existing process.
Expenses
Celeb FC recognises that the reimbursement of expenses incurred in
traveling to and from the place of volunteering or in the course of volunteering is
important from an equal opportunities point of view. This is necessary to ensure that all
individuals have access to voluntary opportunities.
Celeb FC volunteers will be provided with expense payments – these may be different for each event, sometimes per travel expense, on the production of receipts as evidence of the expenditure or sometimes in the form of a standard payment made to each volunteer.
What can be reclaimed from Celeb FC and the calculation of expenses will be explained to the volunteer before they start any activity likely to give rise to expenses.
Celeb FC has a consistent approach to the reimbursement of expenses which
are the same for volunteers, staff, etc. and are as approved by the Inland Revenue.
All expenses are paid by BACS on the day of the event (to allow for last minute changes in personnel) from Celeb FC bank account to a nominated (by the volunteer) UK Bank account.
Insurance
Celeb FC’s does not hold insurance for the volunteer’s personal possessions against loss or damage.
Any event volunteers are working at on behalf / in the name of Celeb FC must carry a public liability insurance and all volunteers are considered to be covered under that insurance for any personal injury.
Celeb FC does not hold any insurance (this may change and all volunteers will be made aware f any changes as soon as this happens).
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Confidentiality
Celeb FC will advise the volunteer on its confidentiality policy and procedures,
where relevant. This would include those relating to personal information held by the
organisation relating to the volunteer.
Settling Differences
Celeb FC aims to treat all volunteers fairly, objectively and consistently. The
Organisation seeks to ensure that volunteers’ views are heard, noted and acted upon
promptly and aim for a positive and amicable solution based on the
organisation’s guidelines for settling differences.
The designated officer referred to above is responsible for handling problems regarding volunteer complaints or conduct and these should be referred to him/her. In
the event of a problem, all relevant facts should be obtained as quickly as possible.
Support will be provided by the organisation to the volunteer while it endeavours
to resolve the problem in an informal manner. If an informal resolution proves impossible,
the organisation’s wider grievance or complaints policies and procedures (which
include volunteers) will be referred to. If a volunteer’s behaviour is repeatedly or seriously unacceptable, they may be asked to change their role, or to leave the organisation.
Rights and Responsibilities
The organisation recognises the rights of volunteers to:
- know what is (and what is not) expected of them
- have adequate support in their volunteering
- receive appreciation
- volunteer in a safe environment
- know their rights and responsibilities if something goes wrong
- receive relevant out-of-pocket expenses
- receive appropriate training
- be free from discrimination
- be offered the opportunity for personal development
The organisation expects volunteers to:
- be reliable
- be honest
- respect confidentiality
- make the most of training and support opportunities
- carry out tasks in a way that reflects the aims and values of the organisation
- carry out tasks within agreed guidelines
- respect the work of the organisation and not bring it into disrepute
- comply with the organisation’s policies
Policy Created 05/01/18