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Policies & Procedures
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Developing a volunteer policy

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This guide provides an overview of how organisations can develop a volunteering policy. It outlines key elements and considerations to ensure policies support effective, safe and consistent volunteer involvement.

The resource supports organisations to align volunteer policies with governance, legal considerations and health and safety requirements, strengthening organisational practice and accountability.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • develop volunteer policy
  • define clear and structured volunteer roles and expectations
  • communicate how and why organisations involve and engage volunteers
  • align workplace practices with legal and governance requirements.

How to apply this resource

This resource is most useful when developing or reviewing volunteer policies, strengthening governance frameworks, or ensuring compliance with legal and safety requirements.

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