Good Practice in Volunteer Management Liz Devaney 2010

Support Supervision The Person The Task

The main functions of support activities are to :  Focus on the person and help the volunteer to feel good about what they are doing  Show the volunteer that they are valued  Appreciate their expectations and reasons for volunteering  Set up an environment where volunteers feel that they can express themselves.

The main functions of supervision are to:  Monitor and evaluate performance  Clarify priorities  Improve the confidence and competence of the volunteer  Identify training needs  Provide a framework to deal with challenges/ difficulties; and to discuss and reflect on volunteering tasks, responsibilities and progress.

A support and supervision system is a combination of activities and options which ensure the functions of support and supervision can be met. The system is geared towards the specific needs of the individual volunteers within an organisation.

The support and supervision system should reflect 4 key principles:  Climate  Accessibility  Flexibility  Appropriateness

 Direct action  Training  Personal support  Facilitating mutual support  Changing systems  Giving information  Supervisory support

Supervision options include:  Assisting a volunteer to work safely and within their limits  Dealing with any problems regarding the volunteer's performance  Planning and monitoring workplans  Promoting a culture of continuous improvement  Explaining and applying organisational policies, systems and standards  Discussing options for development and/or training

When forming a range of supervision options, it is important to cover the following 3 elements: Managerial Educative Supportive Managerial, Educative and Supportive supervision helps to make volunteers feel valued

Remember... However well volunteers are supported on an individual level, they also need thanks and recognition on an organisational level.