Volunteers Policies
Overall Policy on Utilization of Volunteers
Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan’s goals are best served by the active participation of citizens of the community. To this end, Foundations accepts and encourages the involvement of volunteers at all levels of the agency and within all programs and activities.
Definition of Volunteer
A volunteer is anyone who, without compensation or expectation of compensation performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of Foundations. A volunteer must be officially accepted and enrolled by Foundations prior to performance of any task. Therefore, Foundations has four types of volunteers working within the agency:
- Literacy volunteers;
- Committee members;
- Learners; and
- Board of Director Members.
Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities
Volunteers are viewed as valuable resources to Foundations, its staff and its program participants. Volunteers have the right to: be given meaningful assignments, be treated as equal co-workers, be effectively supervised, have full involvement and participation, and be recognized for work done. In return, volunteers shall agree to actively perform their duties to the best of their abilities and to remain loyal to the goals and procedures of Foundations.
Confidentiality – Volunteers are responsible for maintaining confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer.
Dress Code – Volunteers shall dress appropriately for their volunteer role.
Position Descriptions – Volunteer staff will be given a clear, complete and current description of the duties, responsibilities, and expectations their volunteer role.
Volunteer Training and Development – All volunteers will receive general orientation on the nature and purpose of Foundations, and, if required, a specific orientation on the purposes and requirements of the position that they are accepting.
Conference Attendance – Volunteers are encouraged to attend conferences and meetings that are relevant to their volunteer assignments.
Volunteer/Staff Relationships – Volunteers and staff are considered to be partners in implementing the mission and programs of Foundations.
Absenteeism – Volunteers are expected to perform their duties on a regular scheduled and timely basis.
Tutoring Site – Tutors and adult learners shall meet in mutually convenient public places.
Transportation – Volunteer tutors will not provide transportation for their adult learners.
Standards of Performance – Standards of performance shall be established for each volunteer position.
Dismissal of a Volunteer – Volunteers who do not adhere to the rules and procedures of Foundations or who fail to satisfactorily perform their volunteer assignment are subject to dismissal. No volunteer will be terminated until the volunteer has had an opportunity to discuss the reasons for possible dismissal with the Executive Director and/or Foundations Board Chair.
Addressing Volunteer Concerns – The goals of Foundations are best served by receiving and listening to volunteer concerns. Every concern and issue shall be dealt with at the lowest level of dispute and will be treated in an appropriate and confidential manner. Please refer to the complaint process for greater detail.
August 2023 revised & adopted
News