Membership FNQ Volunteers Inc. Members cover a broad range of community organisations within the region, working in community health, education, support for the disabled and elderly, child care, youth mentoring, the arts, the environment, animal welfare and tourism to name a few. Volunteers throughout Far North Queensland contribute in many ways to the social and economic growth of the region. Since 1999 FNQ Volunteers Inc. has supported the involvement of volunteers through our Volunteer Management Programme. Your interest in Membership with FNQ Volunteers Inc. is an acknowledgment of the value you place on involving volunteers in your organisation. Membership of not-for-profit community organisations has risen to over 100 registered members. FNQVI also provides assistance to community organisations, groups and individuals throughout the region with training, development of infrastructure, assistance with writing grants and resources. Membership with FNQ Volunteers Inc. is much more than a volunteer referral service. Membership brings many benefits to community not-for-profit organisations and agencies. If you are interested in membership with FNQ Volunteers Inc, please call us on (07) 4041 7400 or email info@fnqvolunteers.org By joining FNQ Volunteers Inc. (depending on membership type) your organisation has access to: Unlimited volunteer referrals Membership of the Volunteer Managers Network Discounted training for volunteers and managers Regular newsletters / bulletins to keep abreast of local events and current issues Broad networks throughout the region, with all sectors including, government, business and community Consultation and business / operational support Advocacy Workshops on relevant topics Information and support with current funding grants Invitations to all events and celebrations and many other services …… There are 4 types of Membership. To be eligible for membership with FNQVI, an organisation needs to demonstrate that it: Is not-for-profit Provides a service to the community Has both public liability and volunteer personal accident insurance Agrees to comply with the Code of Practice for Organisations Involving Volunteer Staff. Key Services Recruitment and assistance into Volunteering Referral of volunteers to member organisations Training to volunteers & volunteer managers Volunteer management practices supporting the NFP sector to create environments in which volunteers have meaningful and valuable volunteering experience Management of the volunteer coordinator managers network Promoting volunteering at FNQVI signature community events, National Volunteers Week in May and International Volunteer Day in December Management of community development projects Advocacy Code of Practice for Organisations Involving Volunteer Staff Volunteering Australia has developed, through consultation with volunteer involving NGO's and Volunteer Centres, national standards for volunteer involvement which represent 'best practice' in the management of volunteers. In order to enhance the volunteers' experience and comply with legislation and duty of care, a voluntary organisation agrees to: Interview and employ volunteer staff in accordance with anti discrimination and equal opportunity legislation Provide volunteer staff with orientation and training Provide volunteer staff with a healthy and safe workplace Provide appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for volunteers Not place volunteer staff in roles that were previously held by paid staff or have been identified as paid jobs Differentiate between paid and unpaid roles Define volunteer roles & develop clear job descriptions Provide appropriate levels of support and management for volunteers Provide volunteers with a copy of policies pertaining to volunteer staff Ensure volunteers are not required to take up additional work during industrial dispute or paid staff shortage Provide all staff with information on grievance and disciplinary policies and procedures Acknowledge the rights of volunteer staff Ensure that the work of volunteer staff complements but does not undermine work of paid staff Offer volunteer staff the opportunity for professional development Reimburse volunteer staff for out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation Treat volunteer staff as valuable team members, advise them of the opportunities to participate in agency decisions Acknowledge the contributions of volunteer staff. (It is understood that as a registered member of FNQ Volunteers Inc. the organisation provides a community service within a not-for-profit structure, i.e. no individual derives personal financial gain from the work of volunteers referred by FNQ Volunteers Inc. It is also understood that potential volunteers referred by FNQ Volunteers Inc. undertake tasks and activities through community organisations to benefit the community and do not derive financial gain for themselves.) Volunteers are a vital resource in any community organisation. Volunteering is about freedom of choice to work without monetary reward. However, volunteers can expect other rewards such as recognition for the work they do. The volunteer contracts to perform a specific job with certain responsibilities and in return is entitled to certain rights. Both the volunteer and the organisation have obligations to each other. Organisations Rights: Organisations that involve volunteers have the right to expect the volunteer's conscientious acceptance of responsibilities as to promptness, reliability, good performance and confidentiality. Organisation Responsibilities: Plan the volunteer program before recruiting volunteers Recruit, interview and select the right volunteer for the right job Provide written job descriptions & procedures for volunteer jobs Orientate volunteers by providing information about purpose structure, programmes, policies and procedures Provide initial training and ongoing training where necessary Include volunteers in decision making where decisions affect volunteers work Keep records of volunteers goals, training and feed back support sessions Provide the appropriate support and supervision for volunteers Formally and informally recognise volunteers efforts in the organisation Continually evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of volunteers in the organisation. Principles of Volunteering Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer Volunteer work is unpaid Volunteering is always a matter of choice Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs Volunteering is an activity performed in the not for profit sector only Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others Volunteering promotes human rights and equality. Home About us Volunteer Events Networks News Membership Community Training Contact us