2 Responses

1. Volunteering
   There are a number of resources you could access.They in turn might be able to signpost you towards a sound policy

   Try

   Your Council for Voluntary Service

   Look at the Year of the Volunteer Website

   Big Issue

   And your jobcentre will have useful generic guidelines for those who volunteer whilst on jobseekers allowance

   Sometimes training providers linked to jobcentres engage with the CVS or mentoring organisations
   Hope this helps

   Jennifer

2. Volunteering in work-time
   I think it would be very useful to ask the people who appointed you to expand upon their ideas in terms of what they envisage, how they expect it to benefit and what they want to achieve.

   I then think you need to consider carefully their inputs which may include:
   1. how and what do you hope to achieve for organisations receiving the support?
   2. Selection issues eg who will be asked to take up such opportunities?
   3. Work, functions and roles considered suitable.
   4. Other company resources which can be used
   5. Codes of conduct

   This should give a clearer picture of the parameters to discuss with colleagues before drafting more formal guidelines.

   It would be worth asking Business in the Community to can suggest contacts from other providers for you to then approach for advice and experience.

   I do recall a contact in a City law firm, once saying they only send the brightest talent to assist CABs. It is therefore important to bear in mind that appointed staff will be a representative of your organisation.

   On completing your research you will have a better understanding of the issues to consider when drafting your recommendations for a Policy document.

   Hope this is of some help and please feel free to contact me off-line if you wish to discuss this further.

   Best wishes
   Wendy