Volunteer handbook

If you’re provided with a handbook, it’s likely to include the organised reason for having volunteers in the first place, information on the history of the organisation, what it does, its purpose, objective, visions, and values. And that’s going to help you understand where you fit into the big picture, and how your work helps the organisation further its purpose and objectives. It’ll cover things like rights and responsibilities of both you as a volunteer, and the rights and responsibilities the organisation has to you. So it’s great knowing what to expect. 

It’ll also cover things like the benefits, and policies and procedures that may be relevant. Other information, some of which is covered in the site orientation might also be included to make you feel welcome and to make your transition easier, such as who to contact in an organisational chart. An organisation may have a trial or probation period, and you’ll receive information about that if they do. And don’t think that it’s a bad thing. It can actually be great to see if there is a match between you and the organisation. 

It’s the time when you get to ask questions about things that come up. And look, if you find that it wasn’t what you expected, that it’s not really working out for you, it’s a lot easier to say that upfront during that trial and probation period, than leaving it until further down the track.