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Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
- What are the benefits of volunteering?
- Where do people volunteer?
- How can I prevent burning out?
- What should I expect as a volunteer?
- What should the organization expect?
- Am I liable?
- What is the difference between non-profit, volunteer, and charitable organizations?
- Where can I find funding?
- How do I write a funding proposal?
- What tips do you have for my proposal?
- What is a police reference check?
- Why do we need job descriptions?
1. What are the benefits of volunteering?
The first reason that anyone should volunteer is that it is fun! When you volunteer you make new friends, improve social and communication skills, and you are contributing to a cause that you believe in. Volunteering is also a great asset to your employability through developing job-related skills, showing organization and dedication, improving your self-esteem, and it just looks good on your resume. When a potential employer sees that you are a volunteer it conveys that you are someone who wants to make a difference and is willing give back to those who invest in you. Volunteering is a wonderful experience and as well as the social and political benefits it also is good for your health and promotes a general sense of well being.
2. Where do people volunteer?
It may surprise you to know that Cumberland County currently has approximately 436 registered not-for-profit and volunteer organizations. According to the C.R.V.C. November 2003, survey; the areas in which the residents of Cumberland County volunteer are:
- Religion – 22.1%
- Social/Public Service – 18%
- Health – 11%
- Education – 10%
- Sports & Recreation – 10%
- Arts & Culture – 7%
- Hospitals – 1.1%
- Professional Association - 1.8%
- All others not classified – 19%
3. How can I prevent burning out?
The problem of burn out is a very real concern for anyone regardless of age, sex, or physical condition. We all have our limits and it is important to acknowledge this. Nobody can do everything themselves and so we have to spread the workload around and that way nobody feels like they have the world on their shoulders. If you feel like you have more work than you can accomplish then tell someone and remember that you can always say 'no'. If any request is unreasonable or you just do not feel like you can accomplish it it is better to be honest. If you treat people with respect and honesty they will reciprocate and you will build a strong and supportive relationship. Stay in close contact with those you work with and remind yourself often of why you are doing what you are doing. Although you may be working hard there is no reason why you cannot laugh as well and the great thing about volunteering is that you can learn that even work can be fun. The last and one of the most over-looked and simple of things is to have a good routine and get your rest. It is too easy to get snowed-under by deadlines and end up missing out on essential rest and sleep. Just don't let it happen.
4. What should I expect as a volunteer?
As a volunteer you should be given a detailed job description and adequate training, supervision, and encouragement to complete this job. You are valuable as a volunteer and so should be treated as such. You should recieve feedback on your work and be treated with respect.
5. What should an organization expect?
An organization should expect that their volunteers are ready and willing; if given a detailed task the volunteer will work and communicate to accomplish this task. An organization should know the expectations of its volunteers and treat them with respect and expect the same courtesy in return. Volunteers will work hard for an organization and everyone needs some encouragement and recognition and it is the role of the organization to provide it.
6. Am I liable?
If the organization that you are volunteering with is a registered, not-for-profit organization, under the "Societies Act of Nova Scotia", a volunteer can not be held liable unless their activities are illegal or "gross negligence" can be proven. For more information regarding liability please visit Service Nova Scotia's website.
7. What is the difference between non-profit, volunteer, and charitable organizations?
Non-Profit Organizations
- Are a service for the benefit of the public.
- Depend on volunteers, at least for governance.
- Does not generate profits.
- May have corporate members and commercial interests.
Charitable Organizations
- Serve a charitable purpose.
- Are recognized by Revenue Canada and is able to issue tax receipts for donations that may be claimed as a tax credit by individual taxpayers or deductions by corporations or businesses.
Volunteer Organizations
- Work is solely for the benefit of the public.
- Depend on volunteers.
- Depend on financial support from individuals.
- Limited influence by government, other than tax benefits accruing to the organization.
- Do not qualify for registration under the Tax Act.
8. Where can I find funding?
Believe it or not there are many ways to receive funding other than your annual bake sale or volunteer fundraising efforts. In Canada, and Nova Scotia, there are several agencies that help volunteer and non-profit organizations with funding for special programs or projects.
These organizations usually announce their grant programs quietly so it takes a little research. You can access some of these resources online or through your local Regional Development Office (CREDA), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Sport and Recreation Nova Scotia, as well as your local library may be of some assistance as well. If your organization is a registered charity the local United Way Chapter may be able to help, however this involves an application process. Also look to your community. It doesn’t hurt to put a proposal forward to your local town office or community businesses. Show them how your project will benefit the community as a whole and show businesses how it benefits them. (Example: Free Public Relations while showing the community that they are interested in more than just the bottom line). Once you know where the money is, then you need to know how to effectively persuade these agencies that your organization is deserving of such a grant.
9. How do I write a funding proposal?
When writing a funding proposal one needs to follow a basic outline. Every proposal needs to have the following:
An Introduction
- Project overview – What is your project? Describe to the reader what it is you plan to do. (Example: Purchasing a van for a community outreach program.
- Background information - this is the why of your project and how you came to this conclusion. (Example: A survey you conducted indicated that there is a transportation problem for seniors in Cumberland County).
A Body With Project Details
- Goals and objectives - Define what it is you hope to achieve and how you will achieve them.
- Target Group - Who will benefit?
- Methods - How will services be delivered?
- Staff/Administration - Who is responsible for delivery?
- List of resources already available to you. (Example: Staff, volunteers, money already donated, Driver, etc).
Required Resources
- Personnel
- Facilities
- Equipment/supplies/communication
- Budget
Evaluation Plan: How to evaluate your success
- Your method of evaluation will depend on what type of activities you are evaluating and what type of information you are trying to collect. (Example: seminar evaluation questionnaire or public survey).
- Do not forget to thank the funding agency for their consideration and send a final report of your projects outcomes.
10. What tips do you have for my proposal?
- Ensure the project fits within the grant objectives and initiative parameters.
- Define the target audience that faces a particular challenge, and for whom you can make a substantial difference.
- Focus on the project’s impact. How will it benefit your target group or how will it build and enhance existing services to the community etc.
- Define your expected outcomes. Provide specific, measurable expectations for the project, and have a plan for evaluating your results.
- Research existing knowledge and programs. Make sure you’re not re-inventing the wheel. Show how your project is innovative.
- Involve partners. Partners can be from academia, government, other community groups or the private sector.
- Leverage existing resources. Define what assets already exist within your community that can be used to your advantage. (e.g. corporate sponsors and private donations of money, materials and expertise).
- Prepare a short, well written proposal. One that demonstrates clear objectives and a well thought out work plan, following the guidelines of the funding agency.
- Develop a logical action plan. Funding agencies need to be able to assess whether the project will be well managed.
- Communicate. How will you implement your plan (e.g. Workshops, or seminars) and how will the results of project be communicated.
11. What is a police reference check?
A police reference check is a criminal records check. If a person has a criminal record it will be logged in an information database. Only agencies working with vulnerable individuals such as children or the elderly are required to ask for a police reference check but it is a useful tool in the screening process regardless. The form must be submitted by the individual and it is then the individual's responsibility to return the valid document to the organization. A police reference check is not fool proof and only those tried as an adult and convicted of a crime will be registered in the database and the reference check is not a replacement for screening nor the interview process. More information is available on the Volunteer Canada Website.
12. Why do we need job descriptions?
The necessity of job descriptions is mostly based in organizational reasoning. A job title helps to divide responsibility up among the different members so that people have a better understanding of what they are supposed to do and what others in the team are doing.