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[Insert Program Name]New Volunteer Orientation
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Agenda
• Welcome!• Pennsylvania’s Aging Services Network• About [insert agency/program names] • Roles and Responsibilities of Staff & Volunteers• Conflict of Interest & Ethics• Boundaries & Volunteer Protections• Support for Volunteers• Questions & Answers
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Introductions
What are you passionate about?
What interests you about volunteering with us?
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Our Community Needs• [insert information on the needs of older persons in your community
– demographics, barriers to service, health status, income, etc.]
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PA Aging Services NetworkCollaborating
State Agencies
Secretary of Aging/PA
Department of Aging
Bureau of Pharmacetical
Assistance (PACE)Deputy Secretary
of Aging
Pennsylvania Council on Aging
Office of Community Services and
Advocacy
Bureau of Home and Community Based Services
Bureau for Advocacy,
Protection and Education
Area Agencies on Aging
Senior Community Centers
Pennsylvania Council on Aging
Intra-Governmental
Council on Long-Term Care
Cultural Diversity Advisory Council
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Retired Senior Volunteer Program
(RSVP)
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Welcome to the Aging Services NetworkPennsylvania Department of Aging State Plan Goals1) Improve access to care for older individuals at the
right time, setting and intensity; 2) Empower older individuals to remain in the setting of
their choice by serving as a catalyst in developing communities as places in which to age and live well;
3) Direct older individuals to the supports necessary to maximize their health and well-being; and
4) Revitalize and redesign aging services to further enhance the lives of older individuals.
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About [insert agency name]
• [insert information about your agency]• Why and when was it formed?• How do you fit into the PA Aging Services
Network?• Whom do you serve?• What makes you unique?• What are you recent accomplishments?• How have you made a difference?
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About [insert agency name]• [insert agency org chart with volunteer program
highlighted]
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Staff Roles & Responsibilities• [insert information about what staff do]
• What are staff-specific duties?• What are key positions?• How does staff support volunteers?
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Philosophy of Volunteer Involvement• [insert paragraph describing why volunteer are a
chosen strategy to deliver services at your program]• What do you hope to gain by involving
community volunteers?• Why do you value volunteers?
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Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities• [insert information about what volunteers do]
• What are volunteer-specific duties?• What are key positions?• What teams exist?• What leadership opportunities exist?• What are the basic requirements for
volunteers?
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Ethics & Conflict of Interest• [insert ethics, conflict of interest and any other
important policies (e.g. confidentiality, accepting gifts, impartiality, lobbying, etc.)]
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Equal Opportunity Service Provider People with disabilities Seniors and pre-retirees Ethnic and multilingual populations Disease-specific groups People with chronic illnesses Rural, urban and suburban populations People with low-income and limited resources People with low literacy People with private or public health care coverage People who have been without health care coverage
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Protecting Your Privacy
Give clients your first name
only
Do not give clients your
home address or
other personal
contact info
Set up a separate email for
client case work or
use one at your site
Block your home phone
number from
showing on the
receiving end
Do not transport clients in
your personal vehicle, unless
authorized to do so
Do not visit clients at
their home, unless you
are authorized
to do so
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Federal Volunteer Protection Act
Provides immunity for volunteers for harm caused by their acts or omissions under the following circumstances, if:
• The volunteer was acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities;
• The scope of a volunteer’s responsibility is defined by the position description and the breadth of an individual’s training and certification;
• The volunteer was properly licensed, certified or authorized to act;• The harm was not caused by willful, criminal or reckless misconduct,
gross negligence or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of others; and
• The harm was not caused by the volunteer operating a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft to which the State requires an operator’s license and insurance.
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Self Care TipsYou can’t solve every single person’s problem
Listen with compassion & empathy, don’t take it personally
Helping clients is not always easy, but it’s important
Don’t bottle your feelings up!
Know how important you are to building healthy communities
You never, ever have to accept abuse or mistreatment from clients or others
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Volunteer Separation & Dismissal
Resignation • Exit interview- Improve our program by giving constructive feedback from your personal experience
Unacceptable Actions
• Flirting• Dating• Sexual activities• Sexual contact with clients
Reason for Immediate Dismissal
• Sexual harassment • Physical or verbal assault or abuse • Alcohol or drug abuse while on the job• Misuse of Commonwealth or local agency resources • Discrimination • Conflict of interest • Other inappropriate behavior, on a case-by-case basis
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Volunteer Reporting & Paperwork
The information you track helps us: • Better manage a large, decentralized program;• Assess whether services are being provided
equitably across the state;• Know whether resources are being spent wisely;• Focus on areas where we can improve; and • Share our story with lawmakers and others in
charge of policy decisions.
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Support for VolunteersBecome
proficient in your duties
Keep current with emerging
knowledge
Participate in relevant
continuing education
Provide services within the
boundaries of your training
Be sensitive to clients’ cultural
beliefs
Seek the advice and counsel of peers and staff
Refer clients to others when expertise is
needed
Attend all required activities
Celebrate your good work on behalf of our community
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Helpful Supplies & Resources• [insert supplies, resources, websites and
publications that will be helpful to volunteers as they go about their duties]
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Regular Meetings & Upcoming Training• [insert any regularly occurring meetings and
future training with specifics on dates/times/locations]
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Contact Information• [insert agency/program name] — [insert
agency/program web site]
• Pennsylvania Department of Aging — www.aging.state.pa.us
• Local Area Agencies on Aging — http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/your_local_resources/17952
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Discussion
What excites you about volunteering with us? What makes you a little
nervous?
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Talking Points• [insert specific messages volunteers can use
when representing the program in the community, including information about volunteer opportunities]
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Questions & Answers
• Any questions?
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