Toolkit for Volunteer Managers
Are you thinking of involving student volunteers in your society, EUSA or University project? If so, we've created this handy 5-step best practice guide to help you through the process.
You can click the links within the guide to download sample forms. You're welcome to customise these with your own logos!
Step 1: So, you've thought of a way volunteers could help you. A good first step is to create a volunteer role description with a list of tasks the volunteer will be carrying out. Try to create interesting, worthwhile and rewarding volunteer roles by adding in some interesting tasks if possible- this will help you retain volunteers. Role Description Form
Step 2: Visit volunteering.eusa.ed.ac.uk to advertise your volunteering role to students. You can create a profile for your project and post an ad online. You can then log back in to manage responses and collect contact info.
Step 3: Once you've received the completed form, you can arrange a short and friendly Volunteer Selection Meeting so you can meet your prospective volunteer and check they're right for your project. Sample Selection Meeting Template
Step 4: After the selection meeting, you may want to send for a couple of character references. Referees can be anyone who has known the volunteer for a minimum of six months and is not related to them. Sample reference request form.
Step 5: Once the references are back, you can arrange training to help volunteers carry out their role. Part of this training could involve signing a volunteer partnership agreement or code of conduct. This makes it clear what you're expecting from them. Sample partnership agreement.