GUELPH/ERAMOSA – Through a recent grant attained by the township’s parks and recreation department, staff have developed a new volunteer policy.
In a Feb. 7 council meeting, council heard from community programs coordinator Melissa Biffis on a parks and recreation report regarding the introduction of a policy that will establish internal guidelines for the involvement of volunteers within the township.
“Upon considering the needs of the Older Adult Centre, staff recognized the vital role volunteers held within the Older Adult Centre and its programming and the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our volunteers,” Biffis said.
“To equip our volunteers and recruit new volunteers, staff felt it was necessary to enhance our volunteer program so that our volunteers feel comfortable and confident returning back to the centre.”
In November, the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility approved the Older Adult Centre’s grant application in the amount of $15,090 for the township’s GET Involved project, which Biffis noted covers 100 per cent of the project cost.
The project is meant to expand the capacity of the Older Adult Centre by creating a comprehensive volunteer program, the report to council explained.
This includes a review of policies and procedures, enhanced marketing strategy to recruit new volunteers and developing a detailed training program for volunteers to safely provide programming.
The project includes:
- an update and approval of the volunteer policy;
- a marketing campaign with water bill inserts and newspaper and Facebook advertisements;
- recruitment and launch event, which was held the morning of Feb. 7 with 27 participants;
- training of new and existing volunteers; and
- continued engagement with volunteers and a celebration event at the end of the project.
The project is required to be completed by March 31.
“Upon the creation and review of the proposed volunteer policy created through this grant, staff thought it was appropriate to apply the policy to all volunteers working within the township,” Biffis said.
She added while the township relies on volunteers for its programs, events and committees, there has not been a formalized policy approved by council that applies to all volunteers.
“Staff believe a comprehensive and consistent approach to a volunteer program will not only bring value to the volunteers participating, but will greatly benefit the township,” Biffis said.
“The policy recognizes volunteers are an important resource to the community and commits to providing opportunities for residents of the township to volunteer to enhance the quality of life while providing services to the township and community.”
The policy applies to all individuals who volunteer in any capacity for the township and affects staff who recruit and/or work with volunteers, she explained.
“This is great stuff,” Mayor Chris White said.
“Even as we struggle through COVID and the rest of it, we’re very, very happy with the programs that your department has been running,
“[We’re] very pleased with the staff and this is very good news.”
Council adopted the volunteer management corporate policy as presented. To view the full policy, visit the township’s website.
