FAQS

• What are our options if a volunteer that we have taken on isn't working out well?
  • It’s only natural that it will take a period of time before a new volunteer feels totally comfortable in their new role. Approximately six to eight weeks is suggested. At the end of this period, the volunteer should have a face-to-face review with their line manager to see whether both sides are satisfied. If not, the volunteer might be moved to a different role of could be referred back to JVN to see if there is another placement that might work out better.

    

• What can we do if a volunteer refuses to attend training that we provide?
  • Ideally you will tell all volunteers at the time of recruitment that there is an expectation that they will attend training that you provide. If they have agreed to these conditions of engagement and then refuse to undergo the training, then you are entitled to tell them that their services are not required. Problems sometimes arise when volunteers have been working with you for many years and suddenly they are required to attend a training course. You may have to assess the volunteer’s ability to perform against bad will that may be generated if you insist. You may devise some other way of ensuring that such a volunteer is familiar with the course content and is capable of working to the required standard.

    

• What are the minimum expenses that we should be offering volunteers?
  • All volunteers should be offered the reimbursement of their travelling expenses to and from their place of volunteering. Not only should they be offered these out-of-pocket expenses but they should be positively encouraged to apply for them. Some volunteers feel uncomfortable taking money from a voluntary organisation and therefore they do not apply. However, this behaviour makes it uncomfortable for those who really need their out-of-pocket expenses. Volunteers should all be encouraged to apply and those who feel that they have no need for this refund, should quietly donate the money back.

    

• Is there a minimum age for volunteers?
  • This is entirely dependent on the insurance policy that you have in place for volunteers. You must check this out.

    

• Is there a guide to best practice that we should be providing our volunteers?
  • The national organisation called Volunteering England is a valuable resource to help organisation work better with volunteers. Their web address is www.volunteering.org.uk Then click on Resources for Managing Volunteers. If you are looking for something tailored to Jewish Organisations, some of the larger ones have their own standards. You could try asking for a copy of these documents. I hope that in the not too distant future JVN will provide the very material you’re looking for.

    

• Is there any way that we can see the profiles of potential volunteers?
  • The JVN system doesn’t make the profiles of potential volunteers available. We do, however, collect this information from volunteers who register in order to send them our monthly newsletter and to match them regularly against new opportunities that arise. If you have a specific need, or a one off need for a team of volunteers, you may contact us to ask for help.

    

• How can we see volunteering opportunities other organisations are offering?
  • There are two ways you can do this. You can click on Our Network at the top of the Home Page, which will allow you to choose from all the organisations that are represented on JVN. Click on an organisation that interests you will see their current opportunities listed. Alternatively you can use the system as a potential volunteer would: click ‘Want to Volunteer?’ on the Home Page. Scroll down to Quick Search. If you click ‘Find’ without entering any search criteria, a list of all the opportunities on the system with be presented to you. If you want to make a more selective search then enter relevant search criteria.