Investing in Volunteers has been designed to be an effective and rigorous process to ensure that your volunteers receive the best possible management support and your organisation receives maximum benefit from your volunteer’s contribution.
The Standard is based on the four areas of volunteer management:
- planning for volunteer involvement;
- recruiting volunteers;
- selecting and matching volunteers;
- and supporting and retaining volunteers.
These four areas have been divided into 10 Indicators and 55 practices, which have been devised by extensive consultation and pilot work with volunteer-involving organisations.
We have broken down the Investing in Volunteers process into 10 easy steps, detailed below.
Step One
Once your organisation has decided they would like to become an Investing in Volunteers organisation, the first step is to 'Register Interest' (button in top right corner of screen) with the relevant volunteer development agency in your country who will provide you with the information you need to get started. Once you have fully registered you will be given a password to access the detailed information and guides which will help you achieve the Standard. You will also be assigned a quality approved assessor. Assessors are chosen for their experience of assessment and their knowledge of volunteer management. They have all undergone an intensive training course in assessment.
The assessor will be your key contact point throughout the Investing in Volunteers process. Shortly after registration your assessor will contact you to organise an introductory workshop with key members of staff and volunteers in your organisation. This workshop will provide you with enough information to start working towards Investing in Volunteers.
Step Two
Your organisation is now ready to start assessing which of the 10 Indicators you meet, and where there is work needed. On the password protected section of this website you will be able to download a self-assessment kit and other useful information to help you to do this. Once you have completed your self-assessment, the next stage is to submit this evidence to your assessor. They will give you feedback and recommendations on how to go forward.
Step Three
The next step is to establish a development plan to meet the Standard. If you require additional support, information and training, this is available via the relevant agency in your country.
Step Four
The next step is work through your development plan, identifying evidence and undertaking specific activities to meet the gaps e.g. develop new policies, provide training for staff. Again, additional support, information and training is available via your relevant volunteer development agency in your country.
Step Five
Now you will be ready to submit a list of evidence (documents, materials, people) which you will have available for your assessor, who will visit to assess this evidence, including interviewing key staff members and volunteers.
Step Six
After your assessment visit, you will receive a report with a recommendation as to whether or not you have met the standard, produced by the assessor (a verbal report, followed by a written report which may include areas for development). This report will have been approved by a local Lead Assessor.
Step Seven
If your organisation meets the Investing in Volunteers Standard, the report will then go to the UK Quality Assurance Panel for verification. If your organisation does not yet meet the Investing in Volunteers Standard, then you will work with your assessor to see where the gaps lie and when you can re-apply for assessment. This may have an additional cost.
In the event that an organisation feels that they have received an unfair decision, they may appeal. In the first instance this is to the Lead Assessor/Country Co-ordinator. If it is not resolved, then a further appeal may be made to the U.K panel which comprises of representatives of the four national development agencies. Its decision is final.
Step Eight
The Quality Assurance Panel endorses the assessor’s decision and makes a recommendation to the UK Volunteering Forum Awarding Panel for your organisation to receive the Investing in Volunteers award.
Step Nine
Your organisation will then be awarded the Investing in Volunteers Award and be able to use the Investing in Volunteers logo.
Step Ten
Your organisation will be encouraged to ensure that the good practice developed during the Investing in Volunteers process is sustained, so that you are ready for re-assessment in three years.
Step Eleven
Renewing the award will involve an assessment process similar to the process your organisation went through when you first registered for Investing in Volunteers.
