Volunteer Orientation [Insert your presentation title] [Insert presenter information:] Presenter Name(s) Organization Name Program Name Date [Or insert your logo]

Welcome Volunteers Congratulations on joining the [insert your organization & program name RSVP/FGP/SCP] !

Session Agenda Who We Are Our mission Our programs The Volunteers Role Eligibility Assignments Program Expectations Policy, procedures, and paperwork Volunteer Resources

Training Objectives By the end of this session, you will be able to: Understand the purpose of the SCP program Understand a bit more about fellow volunteers Locate resources to answer your questions about our programs, assignments, policies and procedures Complete the Volunteer Registration form Select a volunteer assignment

Many ask, what can I do to help in our fight? The answer is simple. All of us can become a September 11th volunteer by making a commitment to service in our own communities. -President George W. Bush, November 8 th, 2001

National Call For Volunteers President Bush Taps AmeriCorps and Senior Corps to Support Homeland Security Efforts Corporation for National and Community Service to mobilize 20,000 volunteers -November 9, 2001

Why Volunteer? Make a positive difference in your community Share your skills and life experiences Offer assistance and guidance to others Learn new skills Meet other volunteers with similar interests

Introductions Introduce yourself and tell us: How did you hear about this program? What most interests you about volunteering for this program?

Our Mission Statement [Insert your organization or program mission statement here]

Who We Are National Senior Service Corps Foster Grandparents Program (FGP) Senior Companion Program (SCP) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Organizational Chart [insert your organizational chart]

How SCPs Make a Difference Senior Companion Program (SCP) reaching out to adults with special needs: Serve frail older adults and their caregivers, adults with disabilities, and those with terminal illnesses Provide companionship and friendship to isolated frail seniors Assist with simple chores Provide transportation Add richness to your clients' lives

Activity: Making a Difference The goal: Learn more about each other s skills, career backgrounds, and interests Think about how we can work together to make a difference in our community Activity

In small groups… 1. Pick a project that you think would make a difference in the community. 2. Answer the following: What are your goals for the project? Who would you be serving directly? Who else would benefit from this effort? 3. Determine what is needed to get the job done successfully: What exactly do we need to do? What inputs do we need? (e.g. materials, information, skills and experience, etc.) Where do we get what we need? What skills can each of us contribute to the effort? Activity

Is It Right For You? Senior Companion Program is for you if you: Are 60 years of age or older Meet certain income eligibility guidelines Want to serve 20 hours a week Want to serve adult clients directly

We Can Help You By Providing: Pre-service and monthly training sessions Modest tax free stipends Transportation reimbursement Meals Paid holidays Annual physical Accident and Liability insurance Volunteer recognition events

How Our Program is Making a Difference Specific project descriptions [insert your own examples]

The Volunteer s Role How Volunteers Make a Difference In the community To Themselves

…In the Community As long as I am able to drive and cook, I know that I can make a difference in someone else's life." When bad weather prevented Senior Companion Dorothy McCall from driving, she recruited a neighbor to take her to a client's home on his tractor. Dorothy McCall serves with the New River Area SCP in North Carolina.

…To Themselves "I like knowing they can depend on me to do whatever needs to be done." Frances Boydston serves in Topeka, Kansas.

Volunteer Assignments Selecting a station Interviewing with the station Reporting your hours (timesheets) Programming for impact What difference does it make in the community? Disciplinary action Volunteer separation

Volunteer Stations Our Volunteer Stations [insert your programs volunteer stations] [If youre online, insert a URL that links to the stations website if they have one.] Current volunteer positions available [insert your programs available volunteer positions] [If youre online, insert a URL that links to your own programs website where available positions may be posted.]

Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities Rights Receive a job description Receive adequate training Receive appropriate guidance/feedback Receive recognition for services provided Responsibilities Adhere to policies and procedures Attend training(s) Report any problems encountered Maintain confidentiality

Program expectations Program requirements Program policies Required paperwork Common concerns For new volunteers For the organization

Volunteer resources Volunteer handbook Other supporting materials [If youre online, insert a URL that links to your own programs website, and give participants a tour] Contact name/phone for organization Volunteer tips See FAQ handout

In Conclusion Our mission Our hopes for you

Your Own Action Plan Now its time to construct a plan to apply what youve learned today to your own volunteer work. Individually complete My Individual Learning Action Plan worksheet. Activity

Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds. -President Bill Clinton I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. -Mahatma Ghandhi