Volunteering Policy

The Dialogue Society is a registered charity (1117039), established in London in 1999, with the aim of advancing social cohesion by connecting communities, empowering people to engage, and contributing to the development of ideas on dialogue and community building. It does this by bringing people together through discussion forums, courses, capacity-building publications, and outreach. It operates nationwide with regional branches across the UK.

The Dialogue Society seeks to contribute to social cohesion at three different levels: directly bringing different social groups together, empowering others to do the same, and contributing to the development of thought on dialogue and community building.

 We have completed many successful with the help of our hardworking and generous volunteers. We at Dialogue Society appreciate volunteers that help us with tasks and projects. Dialogue Society takes responsibility for ensuring that volunteers within its own organisation are appropriately involved, valued for their contribution, and respected as colleagues.

Who can help?

This document aims to explain the roles of volunteers at our organization, who generously offer to give their time to assist us with agreed tasks and given roles to the best of their abilities while they receive no payment in return.

Anyone can volunteer to help us and register through our form (https://forms.gle/MVsuodPeqsWNyDbk7) to offer their time. Although we welcome all ages, activities may be restricted to age. Anyone under 16 who gets involved in our activities must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Young adults between the ages of 16 and 18 need parental consent to volunteer with us. 

We may conduct an informal interview to determine the most suitable candidate among volunteers for certain roles and select a person whose abilities match our activities best. If necessary or required, we will provide induction or training for volunteers to be able to carry out their role successfully. 

At Dialogue Society, we welcome volunteers of all backgrounds as we are committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We will do our best to ensure that we use their time responsibly with the utmost regards for their safety. While we will treat volunteers with the highest respect their kind assistance deserves, we will ask the same from them and expect them to act as responsible representatives of our organization and its aims.

What does Dialogue Society offer its volunteers?

Dialogue Society takes responsibility for its volunteer by:

  1. Adhering in all its practices and dealings with volunteers to the current equal opportunities policy of the UK government.
  2. Using the help of volunteers appropriately whenever possible, by matching them to roles that suit their skills, abilities, and personal inclinations. 
  3. Providing necessary training or induction to activities as needed.
  4. Offering full support in all issues from the staff at all times.
  5. Taking the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of volunteers under all circumstances as appropriate. 
  6. Informing volunteers who are in charge at all times, who to contact, and what to do if a problem arises or in case of an emergency. 
  7. Acknowledging the received support from volunteers.
  8. Maintaining respectful and meaningful communication between staff and volunteers.
  9. Reimbursing expenses paid by volunteers as agreed. 
  10. Providing information on the organization, its policies and procedures, and the relevant policies.     
  11. Reserving copyright of all original works produced during or as a result of any volunteering activities including photographs and any written work. 
  12. Protecting their data and information given to the organisation as appropriate. 
  13. Having an appropriate public liability and employers’ liability insurance in place which, however, does not cover the personal belongings of volunteers. 
  14. Asking them to refrain from smoking, and from using/drinking or being under the effect of any alcohol or drugs whilst being engaged in any volunteering activities. 
  15. Resolving any concerns, problems, or complaints as reasonable and according to the organisation’s policies and the law. 
  16. Being accountable to the UK’s Charity Commission and following their guidelines and the law in all practices to be a trustworthy charity. 

What is expected from volunteers at Dialogue Society?

Dialogue Society kindly requests all its volunteers to:

  1. Do their best to complete tasks and roles assigned by following instructions from staff so we can provide as much as possible to those in need. 
  2. Treat people they work with including all other volunteers, staff, the general public, and most importantly, those we are working to help, with due respect and kindness.
  3. Inform staff and/or management of any problems or concerns regarding anyone’s health & safety and wellbeing during volunteering activities.
  4. Know who or which member of staff/management to turn to if any situation or an emergency arises. 
  5. Only conduct fundraising activities which have been sanctioned by, and only in the form in which it has been agreed on in, by management. 
  6. Observe an appropriate degree of confidentiality when it comes to relating details of their work, and not relate any of it to the media unless required by their volunteering role or given permission by the management. 
  7. Understand that any original work (e.g. photography, artwork, graphic design, or any written work such as leaflets) they produce during volunteering activities belongs to the organisation, and may be used for promotional purposes (unless an image is requested to be withdrawn by a volunteer for any reason).   
  8. Conduct themselves at all times in a responsible manner that adheres to the aims of the organisation and the law.
  9. Follow the health and safety procedures of the premise they are working at and the policy of the organisation while taking reasonable care of themselves and others. 
  10. Act according to the organisation’s policies.
  11. Work towards the good reputation of the organisation and protect its interests. 
  12. Use their vehicles at their own responsibility and under the protection of their own car insurance, and without reimbursement for its costs of use. 
  13. Not smoke, use any drugs or drink any alcohol, or be under the influence of any of these substances while volunteering. 
  14. Discuss any concerns or complaints with the responsible staff immediately, so they can be dealt with efficiently and without further delay which might cause it to accelerate.

Confidentiality

Staff/volunteers and volunteers, including members of the management committee, are required to observe confidentiality at all times. Dialogue Society and all staff who process any personal information about other people must ensure that they comply with organisation’s Data Protection Policy. 

References

On the basis of their voluntary work, volunteers have the right to request a reference.

Monitoring & Evaluation

Dialogue Society will systemically monitor and evaluate its involvement of volunteers with reference to this Volunteer Policy.

Review

Dialogue Society commits itself to reviewing the policy as and when changes in legislation or other factors make this necessary. (Review date: August 2022)

For further information on the above or to volunteer please contact Dialogue Society:

29 High Holborn, London WC1V 6AZ

Tel: 020 7839 8675

Email: info@dialoguesociety.org

Website: https://www.dialoguesociety.org