The Irish Deaf Society (IDS) Volunteer Policy

1. Your role as a volunteer is very important, you can expect form us. 
   • To provide a thorough induction on the work of IDS, its staff, your volunteering role and the induction and/or training you need to meet the responsibilities of this role. 
2. Supervision, support and flexibility 
• To explain the standards we expect for our services and to encourage and support you to achieve and maintain them; 
• To provide a named person who will meet with you regularly to discuss your volunteering and any successes and problems;
• To do our best to help you develop your volunteering role with us.
3. Expenses 
   • To reimburse these expenses following the procedures in the Volunteer Handbook:
     • Travel to and from home to [the place of volunteering] and during your work: (where agreed with the Manager)
     • Specialist clothing or equipment where this is required and provided by you.  
   • Where expenses are agreeded please keep all your receipts to give to us when we reimburse your expenses. 
4. Health and safety
   • To provide adequate training and feedback in support of our health and safety policy. 
5. Insurance
   • To provide adequate insurance cover for volunteers whilst carrying out their volunteering roles which have been approved and authorised by us
6. Equal opportunities 
   • To ensure that all volunteers are dealt with in accordance with our equal opportunities policy.. 
7. Problems
   • To try to resolve fairly any problems, complaints and difficulties you may have while you volunteer with us;
   • In the event of an unresolved problem, to offer an opportunity to discuss the issues with the CEO or a Board Member.

Part 2: the volunteer 

We expect you:

• To help IDS fulfil its  role in supporting the Deaf community
• To perform your volunteering role to the best of your ability; 
• To follow the organisation’s procedures and standards, including health and safety and equal opportunities, in relation to its staff, volunteers and clients;
• To maintain the confidential information of the organisation and of its clients;
• To meet the time commitments and standards which have been mutually agreed to and to give reasonable notice so other arrangements can be made when this is not possible;
• To provide referees as agreed who may be contacted, and to agree to a Criminal Records Bureau check being carried out where necessary. 

This agreement is binding in honour only, is not intended to be a legally binding contract between us and may be cancelled at any time at the discretion of either party. Neither of us intend any employment relationship to be created either now or at any time in the future. 

Email funds@irishdeafsociety.ie for more information