Volunteer Resources

It is important to know exactly what your club/association needs to be able to run correctly, to abide by, to teach and to make lives easier.  This is why we have brought in downloadable resources and templates that you can use at your club/association.

Volunteer management

The first step in creating a volunteer program is to appoint a Volunteer Coordinator. This position can be an individual position or be paired with an existing role. The roles of the coordinator include:

• Develop and maintain effectiveness of the program
• Provide ongoing support
• Become the point of contact for volunteers
• Plan how and where to recruit volunteers
• Research what volunteer roles are needed within Basketball WA (events, local sporting clubs, administration etc.)
• Organise selection and screening procedures
• Arrange training and education opportunities

Once a Coordinator is appointed, the planning stage begins. This includes:

1. Project/event brief – All projects are listed, and goal is set
2. Volunteer roles list – Identify what roles are needed and clearly label existing involvement
3. Classify roles – Identify the nature, intended beneficiaries, structure, renumeration and degree of choice with each role
4. Position descriptions – Develop a detailed description of each role
5. Volunteer resource kit – Include a statement of vision, Basketball WA Code of Conduct, descriptions etc.
6. Get recruiting – Develop and carry out recruitment strategies and procedures

It is very normal that there will be a turnover of volunteers at your club/association. It is important to get feedback from a leaving volunteer about their experiences with the club and reason for leaving, as it can be extremely valuable for future volunteer retention.

When a volunteer leaves the club, it is a good idea to complete a handover between the new and old volunteer to ensure all aspects of the role are covered and a smooth transition takes place.

Volunteers have a wealth of knowledge and you don’t want them to take it all with them when they leave, so it is vital to incorporate a succession plan for these situations. This to ensure the club is prepared to let the volunteer exit and a new one to take their place in good time. This will help create a more welcoming environment for volunteers too, as the previous volunteer may assist with the training required for the role.