Organisation FAQs
Frequently asked questions for organisations
Involving volunteers in your organisation can be rewarding and beneficial, both to you and your volunteer team.
However, it’s important that you have a volunteer management plan in place before you start, to ensure your volunteers feel involved and cared for, and so that you yourself can plan.
Our Toolkit page has lots of resources that will give you an idea of what you need to put in place, including a volunteer policy, advice on recruiting and managing volunteers, training and evaluation.
If you need support or advice on volunteer management, please visit contact us directly. Volunteer Ireland also offers a full training calendar covering all aspects of volunteer management which can be viewed here.
If you need more specific advice or support, please contact us or your local Volunteer Centre.
Every organisation is different, therefore your needs will depend on the size of your volunteer programme and how many volunteers you wish to work with.
At the very minimum, Volunteer Ireland recommends that any organisation that involving volunteers puts a volunteer policy in place and asks each volunteer to sign a volunteer agreement.
There are many additional policies and procedures that can support your volunteer programme and templates of these can be found in our toolkit for organisations. Remember, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to volunteer management.
If you are managing volunteers that can be classed as vulnerable, or volunteers under the age of 18, it is likely you and anyone in your organisation who will be dealing with them on an ongoing basis will need to undergo Garda Vetting. Visit our Garda Vetting FAQs page here.
If you have any queries on this, please contact us directly to discuss.
Every organisation and its needs are different, so there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to insurance. We suggest that before recruiting volunteers, you contact your insurance provider or broker to seek clarity, and to ensure that your activities and volunteers are covered under your policy.
If you are already registered and would like to advertise a volunteer opportunity, you will need your organisation key.
If you have lost this, please contact your local Volunteer Centre who will be able to help. If you would like to amend an ad or your own details you will also need to contact your local Volunteer Centre to do this.
If you wish to make amendments to your information or a volunteer role advertisement, please contact us and we will assist you.
Yes, under 18s can volunteer, but there are some things you will need to bear in mind.
Organisations should follow Charities Regulator good practice (even if you’re not registered as a charity) and have a child protection / safeguarding statement (and policy in some cases) in place, dependent on the level of engagement with under 18s. This is to ensure that both you and your volunteers are protected.
There is safeguarding training available through Volunteer Ireland, or contact us here at Mayo Volunteer Centre for advice.
You should also check with your insurance provider whether volunteering, and in particular working with volunteers under the age of 18 is covered under your policy.
