Organisational plan: management of spontaneous volunteers – a practical guide for volunteer involving organisations

This guide supports Volunteering Involving Organisations that may engage spontaneous volunteers during emergencies. It assists organisations to establish an operational plan that clearly outlines how spontaneous volunteers will be used, coordinated and managed when the need arises.

The resource focuses on preparedness and risk aware planning, covering key considerations such as systems, leadership responsibilities, safety, insurance and organisational readiness in emergency contexts.

Benefits for volunteer managers

• supports structured planning for managing spontaneous volunteers.
• helps clarify leadership, systems and decision making in emergencies.
• supports risk management, safety and insurance considerations.
• strengthens organisational readiness for emergency response.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when developing or reviewing emergency and disaster plans, preparing operational frameworks for spontaneous volunteers, or strengthening organisational readiness before an emergency event.