Risky Business: You and Your Volunteers OLA – February 5, 2005 Greg Kelner Toronto Public Library

2 Volunteer Program Background Program review process Program review process Outcome Outcome Key Programs Key Programs  Leading to Reading  Homework Clubs  Adult Literacy

3 Volunteer Management Practice Overview Position descriptions Position descriptions Risk assessment Risk assessment Screening/Selection practice Screening/Selection practice  Application form, Interview  Personal and Police Checks  Training and orientation Code of ethics Code of ethics Onsite Supervision, Ongoing training Onsite Supervision, Ongoing training Recognition Recognition

4 Risk Assessment Participant Participant Setting Setting Activity Activity  Nature of the relationship  Nature of the activity Supervision Supervision

5 Risk Assessment cont’d Identified potential risks Identified potential risks Assessed likelihood of risks Assessed likelihood of risks Minimized risks Minimized risks

6 Position Description

7 Volunteer Profile Position title Position title  e.g, “Leading to Reading Volunteer” Location and contact information Location and contact information Summary statement Summary statement  “Our mission is to encourage… reading and life-long learning…Volunteers help build children’s reading confidence…”

8 Volunteer Profile cont’d Volunteer’s responsibilities Volunteer’s responsibilities Volunteer’s qualifications Volunteer’s qualifications Library’s orientation and training sessions Library’s orientation and training sessions Time and place of volunteer-client meetings Time and place of volunteer-client meetings Volunteer’s commitment Volunteer’s commitment Library’s supervision and assistance Library’s supervision and assistance Volunteer’s privileges Volunteer’s privileges

9 Screening/Selection Practice Application form; two personal references Application form; two personal references Interview with Program Coordinator Interview with Program Coordinator  PRC consent form completed Police records check initiated Police records check initiated  Volunteer service may begin before results received Training and Orientation; Onsite Supervision Training and Orientation; Onsite Supervision

10 Application form and Interview Focus on responsibilities and qualifications Focus on responsibilities and qualifications Be objective and fair Be objective and fair

11 Training and Orientation Program overview Program overview Volunteer’s role Volunteer’s role Library’s role and policies Library’s role and policies Program policies Program policies Tutoring techniques Tutoring techniques

12 Code of Ethics Simple 1-page document “You are dedicated to the following principles…”  Participation  Confidentiality  Non-discrimination  Co-operation Signed by volunteer and staff member

13 After Placement Onsite supervision Onsite supervision Ongoing training Ongoing training

14 Summary TPL volunteer management practice includes: TPL volunteer management practice includes:  Position description  Risk assessment  Application process, personal references  Screening  Training and orientation  Code of ethics  Supervision and training  Recognition