The management and co-ordination of volunteers is a challenging and rewarding position that can bring you into contact with a broader range of people than the management of contracted staff. Over 20 million people volunteer in some capacity each year and all this activity needs management and support.

The government has in recent years been looking more closely at this massive undertaking and has encouraged the development of standards and protocols to support those involved in the support, care and management of volunteers.

Volunteering England has produced the Strategy for Volunteering Infrastructure 2004-2014 which lays out a ten-year vision and strategy for the volunteering infrastructure in England, which is a sector-led companion to the governments own Capacity Building and Infrastructure Framework for the Voluntary Sector and Community Sector.

Together with the National Occupational Standards (NOS) Management of Volunteers Standards developed by the Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation (VSNTO) there is a move to provide guidance and a framework for all those involved in volunteer management.

This POD is intended to give an signpost to some of the information and publications available as well as discussing some of the main issues surrounding the management of volunteers.

Peas in this pod

• Dealing with Problems
• Diversity and Equal Opportunities
• Health and Safety
• Induction and training for volunteers
• Links
• National Occupational Standards
• Recruitment
• Retaining Volunteers
• Supervision and Support
• Volunteer Expenses
• Volunteer Policies
• Volunteering and the Law