Review of National Standards on Volunteers

Volunteering Australia is reviewing its National Standards for involving volunteers in Not for Profit organisations and it is inviting feedback from the sector through an online survey.

The National Standards were developed and endorsed by Volunteering Australia in 1997 following an extensive national consultation process. Together with the Definition and Principles of Volunteering, and the Model Code of Practice, VA says the National Standards are considered one of Volunteering Australia’s foundation documents setting the benchmark for best practice and providing detailed guidance for organisations involving volunteers.

The National Standards cover the following aspects of volunteer involvement:
– Policies and procedures
– Management responsibilities
– Recruitment
– Work and the workplace
– Training and development
– Service delivery
– Documentation and records
– Continuous Improvement

VA says a decade on since the National Standards were first introduced, and in a climate of development in the volunteering sector, it is timely to engage in a review process of the National Standards. For more information about the National Standards, their development and the context of review, visit www.volunteeringaustralia.org.

The survey is open on our website until 25 May 2009.