The following Learning Opportunities are available from Volunteer Development Scotland and a number of Volunteer Centres throughout the country. You may find them helpful when you are working towards achieving the Standard
The Introductory Programme of Learning Opportunities
The Introductory programme of learning opportunities contains short introductory opportunities for people working with volunteers in any organisational setting.
These learning opportunities have been specifically designed for:
·Staff and volunteers who may be new to a role in developing volunteering and leading groups of volunteers in any organisational or community setting
Participants find these courses equip them with the tools to develop the knowledge and understanding to help build effective volunteer programmes:
- “Very enjoyable, informative session with good hints and tips for getting our volunteer programme into shape. I would recommend these courses to others”
- The shorter sessions were easier to fit into my busy week, it was great to meet other people who work with volunteers but in different settings”
Topics
Involving Volunteers in your Organisation - aims to help members of organisations to consider the involvement of volunteers within their organisation and will enable participants to understand the need for planning for volunteer involvement.
Developing Volunteering in an Organisation - aims toenable organisations and individuals to develop programmes and policies for the involvement of volunteers in an organisation
Designing Roles and Tasks for Volunteering - aims toenable organisations and individuals to develop roles and tasks for volunteers within an organisation
Preparing to Recruit Volunteers – aims toassist participants in developing a recruitment plan and identifying appropriate strategies to attract the right people to fill volunteering roles.
Matching & Selecting Volunteers – aims toexplore how volunteers can be matched and / or selected to suitable volunteering opportunities across volunteering programmes.
Introducing New Volunteers to Your Organisation - aims to help members of organisations that work with volunteers to explore the learning and training required to ensure effective introduction of volunteers to the organisation
The Intermediate Programme of Learning Opportunities
These learning opportunities have been specifically designed for:
- Organisations wishing to develop an effective volunteer programme
- Organisations wishing to review their existing volunteer programme
- Practitioners with some knowledge and practice in the field of volunteering management
- Organisations wishing to develop their practices in line with the Investing in Volunteers quality standards
Practitioners find these courses equip them with the tools to develop the knowledge to help build effective volunteer programmes:
- “Very worthwhile series of courses, I gained a lot of useful tips, tools, ideas and knowledge to take back to my organisation and my networks”
- I attended four of these learning opportunities, they were really good at helping to focus on the principles of working with volunteers – I was able to make several improvements to our volunteer programme back in my workplace”.
Topics
Planning Strategically for Volunteer Involvement - aims tohelp practitioners and organisations to establish appropriate frameworks for developing volunteering.
Effective Volunteer Recruitment - aims to assist participants in identifying high quality, motivating volunteer opportunities within their organisation, and in developing strategies to attract the right people to match these roles.
Matching Volunteers to Roles and Tasks - explores issues and practice in the selection and matching of volunteers to tasks within the organisation, with a focus on interviewing skills.
Increasing Volunteer Effectiveness Through Training & Development - explores ideas for the planning of effective training and learning opportunities for volunteers.
Supporting & Supervising Volunteers - aims to helps participants develop their ideas, skills and strategies regarding the overall task of supporting and supervising volunteers.
The above learning opportunities form the study materials for the VDS Award – Coordinating Volunteers at SCQF level 6 -
The Advanced Programme of Learning Opportunities
These learning opportunities are specifically designed to meet the needs of:
- Experienced practitioners in volunteering management
- Practitioners seeking learning in specific topics relating to volunteer programmes and organisation development.
- Organisations wishing to further develop their Volunteer Programmes
- Organisations wishing to develop their practices in line with the Investing in Volunteers quality standards
Practitioners find these courses equip them with the tools to develop the knowledge to help build effective volunteer programmes:
- “Thought provoking and very relevant, although I’ve worked with volunteers for a few years – these opportunities gave me new ideas and made me think about how we can improve our volunteer programme”
Topics
Developing Diversity within a Volunteer Programme - explores issues and develops ideas and practice relating to building a diverse volunteer workforce within organisations.
Health & Safety & Risk Management in Volunteer Programmes - aims to equip participants in addressing issues of risk management, with a focus on health and safety.
Motivation, Retention & Development of Volunteers - explores the areas of motivation & development of volunteers with the general aim of identifying key ways of increasing volunteer retention.
Developing Volunteer Portfolios - explores how a portfolio can be developed and structured to assist in the training and development of volunteers.
Creating Positive Volunteer Staff Relations – explores and addresses issues surrounding successful volunteer-staff relations throughout the organisation.
A selection of two from the above programme of learning opportunities form the basis of the study materials for the new VDS Award – Management of Volunteers SCQF level 7
All Learning Opportunities
- Combine high standards of quality and effectiveness delivered in a relaxed informal style
- Are facilitated by group leaders with experience in volunteering management
- Are facilitated using techniques that draw on participants contributions and experiences
- Fully integrate the Managing volunteers National Occupational Standards
- Fully integrate the Investing in Volunteers standard
- Are aligned to the skills framework for community regeneration
- Draw on wide factual and theory bases in volunteer management
- Integrate relevant national research findings
These learning opportunities can enable individuals and organisations to build experience and develop the practice of working with and managing volunteers at all levels within an organisation. This enables organisation and people working with volunteers to improve the volunteering experience by providing higher standards of volunteer management.
New SQAAwards for the Coordination and Management of Volunteers and Volunteering from Volunteer Developemnt Scotland
The Learning and Practice Development Team within Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) have developed new exciting and unique learning programmes to support and develop people who work with and manage volunteers and volunteering.
These Awards are approved and certificated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in partnership with VDS. The Awards Programme consists of two Customised Awards set within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and a Professional Development Award.
Further information at http://www.vds.org.uk/tabid/166/Default.aspx
