Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Create account
Information
1 minute read

Spontaneous volunteer management resource kit: helping to manage spontaneous volunteers in emergencies

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

This resource kit supports organisations to effectively manage spontaneous volunteers during emergencies and disasters. The kit provides guidance on planning for spontaneous volunteering prior to an emergency, managing volunteers during response and supporting transition and recovery after an emergency.

Benefits for volunteer managers

  • plan and prepare for spontaneous volunteers
  • recruit, induct and coordinate spontaneous volunteers during emergencies
  • support wellbeing, supervision and communication with volunteers during emergencies
  • review plan and action post-emergency.

How to apply this resource

Use this resource kit to inform emergency planning, volunteer management frameworks and response procedures.

Downloads and sources

Visit source (opens in new tab)

More about the authors

Australian Red Cross is a volunteer-based organisation that exists to reduce human suffering.
contactus@redcross.org.au Contact Australian Red Cross
Visit website (opens in new tab)
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
The Department of Social Services is an Australian Government Department that aims to improve the economic and social wellbeing of individuals, families and vulnerable members of Australian communities.
Visit website (opens in new tab)

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Research and Reports

Volunteering and psychological contract

This document dives into the concept of volunteer management, emphasising the importance of the unspoken agreement between volunteers and organisations – the psychological contract.
1 minute read
M. Hager, K. Renfro
General
Resources

Foundations of Volunteer Management: Maintain Work Health and Safety

This unit builds WHS knowledge and skills, covering hazard identification, risk control, policies, and consultation. Aligned with HLTWHS003, it supports safe, compliant workplaces through practical safety strategies and effective communication.
2 minute read
The Knowledge Base, Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, National Volunteer Management Activity Project
Role Descriptions

Designing a volunteer role description

Template and guidance to support organisations to create clear and effective volunteer role descriptions.
1 minute read
Volunteer Ireland
General
GoodCompany
Tech

GoodCompany

GoodCompany is a Workplace Giving Platform based in Australia and NZ. It's designed to enable companies and their people to come together to donate, volunteer, fundraise, and match donations for the charities closest to their hearts.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
Emergency Support Volunteering website
Tech

Emergency Support Volunteering website

The Emergency Support Volunteering website allows volunteers in Western Australia to register to help in emergencies, organisations needing support can also register to contact volunteers for assistance.
Volunteer database Recruitment Reporting
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

Responding to Social Isolation and Loneliness webinar

Responding to Social Isolation and Loneliness is a practical 3.5-hour webinar for volunteers and frontline professionals. Learn to recognise and respond to isolation and loneliness, build connection, and support wellbeing.
Volunteering Queensland
–
Free
scheduled

Governance for Inclusion and Belonging

Explore how leaders, boards and committees can build inclusive volunteer cultures through effective governance, policies and practice. Gain practical strategies to reduce barriers, foster belonging and support diverse volunteer participation.
VolunteeringWA
–
Free
scheduled

Lunch and Learn: Volunteer Leadership in Practice

Join this professional development session to explore volunteer retention through community, connection and purpose. Gain practical strategies, fresh insights and actionable ideas from experienced volunteer leader Carolyn Whamond.
Volunteering Tasmania
–
Free