Good induction processes will help your volunteers to feel confident, well prepared, and a valued part of your programme – helping them (and your organisation) to get the most out of volunteering.
You will have already prepared clear role descriptions for your volunteers (see Step 1: Know what you’re looking for in our Setting up guide).
Each volunteer will come with different backgrounds, motivations and abilities, so the induction process needs to be adapted to suit individual strengths and needs.
Using a staged approach
New volunteers often find starting to volunteer a little daunting. A staged approach to induction helps to avoid overwhelming them. Gradually introducing policies and procedures will give volunteers the time and space to understand them properly.
For example, Community Parent Programme Coordinators introduce induction processes in tandem with each training module. A first stage induction takes place with Module 2. Further induction takes place in tandem with Module 3, Module 4 and Module 5 (further details in the module facilitator guides in our Delivering volunteer training guide).
Well organised induction sessions, and introduction quizzes, group activities, and pair-work provide rich opportunities for volunteers to:
- Gain an appreciation of why policies and procedures are important
- Express shared concerns and ask questions.
See also Bringing policies and procedures to life in our Policies and procedures section.
Read our example volunteer file checklist and an example Induction feedback questionnaire.
Signing up to the volunteer agreement
Each volunteer needs to sign up to your volunteer agreement as part of the induction process.
Your volunteer agreement is a reference point that sets out both your organisation’s commitment to its volunteers and what your organisation hopes for from your volunteers. The expectations you set out need to be reasonable. It is important to avoid the risk of inadvertently creating an employment contract with your volunteers.
Further guidance on the NCVO website is highly recommended.
Examples of volunteer peer supporter agreements can be downloaded below.
Volunteer peer supporter agreement one-to-one support
Added 02/03/2020Please sign in to download this file.
Volunteer peer supporter agreement outreach activities
Added 02/03/2020Please sign in to download this file.