Volunteer or join the team

VOLUNTEER INDUCTION INFORMATION

So you know what to expect…

Welcome to Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc. Our volunteers are important to us and we value your contribution.

Volunteers have been involved with our organization since it began and have been pivotal in the success of Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc.

Your time is appreciated and we encourage you to discuss any ideas or concerns you have with us.

This manual serves as a guide; it contains useful information that will assist you in your role at Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc. The content is based on best practice, however should you require further explanation please discuss with a member of staff or Committee.

We hope you will enjoy your time with us; we aim to make your experience fun and will invite you to regular social occasions, our workplace offers you flexible volunteer hours and a volunteer role that you will find enjoyable.

Thank you for joining us.

Volunteer Rights, Responsibilities and Principles

As a volunteer you have the right:

• to work in a healthy and safe environment
• to be interviewed and engaged in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation
• to be adequately covered by insurance
• to be given accurate and truthful information about the organisation for which you are working
• to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses
• to be given a copy of the organisations volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work
• not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker
• not to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes
• to have a job description and agreed working hours
• to have access to a grievance procedure
• to be provided with orientation to the organisation
• to have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988; and
• to be provided with sufficient training to do your job

Principles of Volunteering:

• Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer
• Volunteer work is unpaid
• Volunteering is always a matter of choice
• Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or government allowances
• Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community
• Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs
• Volunteering is an activity performed in the not for profit sector
• Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work
• Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers
• Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others; and
• Volunteering promotes human rights and equality

Source acknowledgment: VOLUNTEERING AUSTRALIA

Recruitment

Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc believes that volunteer staff should be appointed on suitability, taking into account factors such as the applicant’s qualifications and experience appropriate to the volunteer position; their skills, knowledge and abilities; their potential; and their overall suitability for the position and the organisation.

We will not permit discrimination against volunteers on the basis of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or ethnicity. This applies to all areas of volunteer employment.

Police Clearance and Working with Children Check

A Police Clearance may be required in some instances to enable volunteers to carry out specific duties with Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc. In some circumstances, a volunteer may also be required to have a Working with Children Check.

Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc will advise volunteers of the procedures required to apply for the identified clearance/s and will meet the normal costs associated with obtaining the required clearance/s.

Induction of New Volunteers

Show Volunteers must report to the Volunteer Coordinator on arrival.  They will be issued with an ID badge and given an induction.  During this session the emergency procedures will be explained and the volunteer taken on a guided tour of the premises showing them the kitchen, the toilets and the fire extinguishers. Volunteers will also be introduced to other staff including the fire warden and first aid officers. A volunteer’s policy and procedure manual will be provided to you.

Hours of Duty

We offer a flexible working environment for volunteers and endeavours to accommodate volunteer requirements.  During the Canning Show our hours of work start from 6.30am until midnight.  .

Roster are based on a 2 hour minimum.  Meals and drinks are provided for workers on long shifts.

Dress Code

Volunteers are required to demonstrate a neat and responsible standard of dress. There may be occasions when a CAHRS logo corporate shirt or Canning Show shirts are required to be worn, for example when attending events.

Name badges are provided.

Management reserves the right to raise the issue of dress with individual volunteers when considered necessary.

Keys and Fobs

For security reasons volunteers are not able to have access to individual keys. Access to the buildings is to be gained through CAHRS staff.

Working Alone

When alone in the office or halls a volunteer should, to ensure their own safety, lock the front and back doors and park their vehicle in a well-lit, easily accessible place.  Under no circumstance should a person unknown to the volunteer be admitted into the premises.

Insurance

We recognise that all volunteer staff have the right to be protected from financial costs in the event of personal injury and liability.

All volunteers will be appropriately covered by the insurance policies of Canning Agricultural Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc for the following types of liability:

Presentations and Gifts 

It can be expected that volunteers will receive presentations and gifts in recognition of services provided by Canning Agricultural, Horticultural and Recreational Society Inc and in particular its volunteers and or staff.

The CEO must be advised when this occurs and a decision will be determined with regard to the future of the presentation or gift.

Show Stewards, judges, volunteers and any person directly involved in the outcome of competition may not accept gifts or hospitality from any exhibitor or their agent.