You can access many forms of support: introductory workshop, your Investing in Volunteers Assessor and Advisor; Investing in Volunteers and the Agency’s web sites; access to the Agency’s annual training programme/consultancy service; and a resource pack.
Introductory Workshop (Obligatory, Step 1)
This workshop will:
- introduce you to your Assessor;
- talk you through the Investing in Volunteers 10 step process in detail;
- give details on the 10 indicators, relevant practices and evidence required;
- include practical activities to help you start the self-assessment process;
- advise you on how to promote the benefits and the process to other staff, volunteers and management committee members.
Assessor and Advisor
Your Assessor will:
- Establish contact with you at the Introductory Workshop (Step 1)
- Assess your Self Assessment Form and make recommendations in a verbal and written report
- Visit your organisation to assess a sample of evidence including interviews with a range of key people for example: volunteers, management committee/Board member and volunteer co-ordinator.
- Give a verbal and written Final Report.
Your Advisor will:
- Establish contact with you at the Introductory Workshop (Step 1)
- Offer advice on volunteer management and volunteering good practice in order to help you meet the Standard.
Training
Your organisation may feel that additional training and support may be required in order for it to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge needed to achieve the standard. The Agency offers an annual training programme that your organisation may wish to access.
However, your organisation may feel it would benefit from a more tailored training programme specifically designed to cover the areas it is developing in order to achieve the Investing in Volunteers award. If this is the case, the Agency is able to offer consultancy training. Please contact Sandra Adair email sandra@volunteering-ni.org, Assistant Director, if you would like to discuss the possibility of tailored training for your organisation.
Resources
Each registered organisation will have a full copy of the Investing in Volunteers Standard, including the indicators and suggested evidence required. You will also receive a resource pack that will include a selection of the Agency’s publications and good practice checklists. Other good practice information and resources are available from the Volunteer Development Agency’s web site www.volunteering-ni.org . Once organisations start the process they also have access to resources on a restricted area on this main UK Investing in Volunteers web site.
