EURO 2008 Comhlamh Volunteering Options

8/14/2019 EURO 2008 Comhlamh Volunteering Options

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Comhlmh's Volunteering

Options Programme

Code of Good Practice for VolunteerSending Organisations


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Overview

Background info

Why have a Code of Practice?

How was it developed?

What does it include?

What were the challenges of developing theCode?

What are the challenges of implementing

the Code? Next steps


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Comhlmh

Established in 1975 as the IrishAssociation of Development Workers

Has grown into a member and supporterorganisation open to anyone interestedin social justice, human rights andglobal development issues


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Volunteering Options Programme

Programme was set up in 2004, with funding

from Irish Aid;

Aims to encourage responsible, responsiveinternational volunteering;

A number of resources have been developedto assist this, including a website, book,training courses, and research into the impactof international volunteering on host

organisations;

Also developed a Volunteer Charter and Codeof Good Practice for Sending Organisations.


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Code of Practice Why?

Felt there was a need to focus practice in ashared and cooperative environment, andto construct a coherent set of principlesthat would create a common vision for

good practice in programme development.

In summary, These shared principles canguide our work, as we can commitourselves to them, and be held accountableby them.


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Accountability

The issue of accountability is a key motivating

factor behind the development of standards ofgood practice.

As defined by Dchas, accountability is a mixtureof disclosure, standard setting and participation;

Accountability: is about civilizing power. Itdescribes a relationship between power-holdersand those affected by their actions.(www.accountability21.net)

Accountability refers to the process through whichan organisation makes a commitment to balancethe needs of stakeholders in its decision-makingprocesses and activities, and delivers against thiscommitment (One World Trust)


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Volunteering as a partnership

Host Community

Volunteer

SendingOrganisation


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Code of Practice How?

Process

Code of Practice was developed over 2years, using an extensive consultationprocess;

Initial meeting of sending organisations held

in late 2004; at this, organisations draftedthe key topics and issues to be covered inthe Code;

Throughout 2005 and 2006, a working group

with reps from the sector developed theprinciples and indicators for the Code;

All sending organisations were given theopportunity to contribute to the process

through consultative meetings.


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Code of Practice What?

The core values that underlie the content of the

Code of Practice are:

Partnership;

Quality;

Security; Appropriate volunteer attitudes;

The need to value volunteering;

Sustainability; Solidarity; and

The contribution of volunteering todevelopment.


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Code - Content

Principles - Organisations agree to:

Have volunteer programmes based onrealistic aims and objectives withappropriate and useful volunteer roles;

Provide sufficient resources and support torun volunteer programmes in an efficientand sustainable manner;

Provide marketing and imagery consistentwith good practice, and clear expressions oforganisational aims, ethos and values;


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Code Content

Provide potential volunteers with free, fair

and unbiased information on theirorganisation and volunteer placements;

Use fair, consistent and transparent

recruitment procedures; Assist and provide for the varying support

needs of volunteers;

Ensure that volunteers participate inappropriate preparation, training andinduction;


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Code - Content

Ensure the protection, safety and well-

being of volunteers and those they workwith, as far as possible;

Provide recognition for volunteers;

Provide ongoing monitoring andevaluation;

Provide debriefing for returned volunteers.


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Challenges: Development

Building relationships between organisations &

fostering a commitment to the aims of theCode;

Creating a consultation process that wasmeaningful and inclusive;

Agreeing on the content: devising principlesand indicators that were relevant for bothshort- and long-term sending organisations,with widely varied programmes and resources;

Developing an easy-to-use self-audit tool fororganisations to monitor their progress againstthe agreed indicators; and

Building awareness of the Code within the widersector and among the general public.


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Challenges: Implementation

Agreeing an appropriate model of implementation

currently using a peer support model, with noexternal implementation body;

Agreeing the critical minimum level of

involvement needed to be considered a signatoryto the Code;

Organisational resources: implementing the Code

requires committing time, financial and humanresources to the process. Not all signatoryorganisations are in a position to invest in thisimmediately/ to the same degree;


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Challenges: Implementation

Identifying the necessary external supports for

organisations to effectively implement the Code this may be training, financial resources etc;

Getting organisations to prioritise the Codewithin their operational plans;

Ensuring the Code does not become a paperexercise but is something that is implemented inpractice;

Trying to get organisations to take a lead oncommon issues of concern arising from theCode, rather than being driven by an externalbody.


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Next Steps

In order to move the Code forward, to ensure thatits core values are mainstreamed, and that it

continues to promote equal partnerships betweenkey stakeholders, Comhlmh has been examiningthe next steps in the implementation process.

The current self-audit/peer support modelprovides a good way of demonstratingorganisations support for, and initialimplementation of, the Code.

It was decided by the Volunteering OptionsWorking Group at the end of 2006 thatimplementation in 2007 should be seen as a pilotyear, and that further measures to strengthen theprocess should be given consideration in 2008.


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Level Two Possible Model

The social audit model is one such measure:

for example, this is used by People in Aid fortheir Code of Practice.

While keeping in mind the aim of workingtowards implementing a full social audit model

that would collect and assess the views of all anorganisations stakeholders, Comhlmh hasagreed with signatory organisations to firstdevelop and promote an intermediary model.

Three organisations from the VO Working Grouphave agreed to test the proposed model in 2008.

If successful, the model will then be piloted withfurther organisations in 2009.


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Level Two

The proposed model would be Level Two

of Code implementation, and would providethe next step on from Level One -becoming a signatory.

I t is important to note that taking thenext step is entirely voluntary:signatory organisations only

participate if they feel they are in aposition to do so.


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Level Two Steps

1) Organisation completes self-audit form and

draws up a report of main learning needs2) Comhlmh draws up a panel of audit

support consultants

3) Consultant visits the organisation and goes

through the self-audit form4) Consultant writes a report that highlights

main areas for learning

5) Report submitted to panel for accessingfunding

6) Through this, access to some funding forcapacity building would be made available


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Possible Benefits

Familiarise organisations with preparing reports

for external discussion, which would prepare theway for full social audits; Would ideally result in capacity building through

accessing grants for organisational development; Inclusion of staff from sending organisations on

the panel of capacity building consultants wouldutilise and remunerate staff experience. It wouldhelp to encourage the peer support aspects of theCodes implementation, while providing financialrecompense for the work conducted.

Provide both funders and potential volunteers withevidence of participation in an external evaluationprocess, therefore demonstrating anorganisations commitment to the Code and theprinciples of partnership and equality that it sets

out.


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EURO 2008 Comhlamh Volunteering Options

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