Volunteers under the supervision of staff help to support families and children in the development of their physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual and social skills.

Orientation and Training

The Playroom Coordinator will have the overall responsibility for the interviewing and orientation of volunteers.

Program staff will be responsible for training volunteers assigned to their programs.

All volunteers will be given orientation materials and will be required to read the volunteer manual and participate in training as the staff deem necessary.

Daily debriefing sessions between staff and volunteers also provide opportunities for ongoing training and feedback.

Commitment Expectations

It is expected that volunteers will make a commitment of 3hrs per week for 6+ months to Richmond Family Place. (in situations where this is not possible eg. Summer students, the volunteer coordinator will agree to a shorter period).

Volunteers are asked to notify staff when they will be late or absent.

All volunteers are required to record their hours after each shift on the volunteer time sheet.

Probationary Period

Volunteers have a probationary period of one month during which time the suitability of the placement is assessed by both staff and volunteer.

Supervision

Although all volunteers report to the Volunteer Coordinator, the program coordinator will be the day-to-day supervisor.

Evaluation

At the end of the probationary period and annually, volunteers assess their own progress and talk with both the staff member most directly involved with their volunteer work and the Playroom Coordinator.

Volunteers assess their own strengths and weaknesses and discuss strategies for growth and development.

Volunteers are also encouraged to discuss questions or issues as they come up throughout the year either with the Playroom Coordinator or staff member supervisor.

Volunteer Benefits and Recognition

Volunteers have the opportunity to gain important Canadian experience and to find out if they have the aptitude for careers in the social services, teaching or early childhood fields.

Volunteers have the valuable experience of working with a diversity of cultures and learning skills from experience staff. Many make new friends and feel their lives are enriched. Volunteering is widely recognized as having many benefits for health.

Volunteers are acknowledged daily for their support and annually at our Volunteer Appreciation Party.

References from Richmond Family Place

Volunteers may make a request for a reference from Richmond Family Place and staff will help when possible. Staff may not be able to provide references for volunteers who worked for less than 6 months or who request the reference a long time after leaving. Volunteers are therefore encouraged to make any reference requests while volunteering or as they depart.

Responsibilities

1. Volunteers in the playroom support the staff in providing a safe, enriching environment by:
   • Maintaining a safe and pleasant physical environment in which children can explore. eg. Clean and free of dangers.
   • Engaging children in interactive play.
   • Modeling the appropriate ways of using each play area with children and their parents.
   • Modelling positive guidance techniques: eg. playdough stays at the playdough table, up the ladder and down the slide, toys are not for throwing, "people are not for hitting - use your words when you are angry" (instead of "don't hit"), "ask if you can have a turn with the truck" (instead of "don't grab").
2. Volunteers help maintain a welcoming, friendly environment by:
   • Meeting and greeting children and parents when they arrive and saying good-bye when they leave.
   • Getting to know children and their families by name. Make eye contact and introduce yourself. Helping children and families to make new friends by introducing them to one another. Look out for new faces and keep an eye out for parents who appear to feel out of place, low, out-of-it or overwhelmed. Gently initiate conversation with them to provide an opening if they wish to talk. If not, respect their privacy.
3. Help act as a resource for information:
   • Ask people to sign the sign-in sheet and help them to do so if necessary.
   • Inform parents of any special events
   • Tell parents/caregivers about family place resources eg. Lending library, resources to take, thrift store, other programs run by Richmond Family Place (or other community organizations) elsewhere in Richmond.