Engagement as a volunteer
Volunteers of FYA are engaged in accordance with FYA’s Volunteer Policy.
Resignation and termination of your volunteer role
Unless extended in writing, your role will cease at the time specified in the volunteer agreement, without need to resign or notice to be given.
Any termination of a volunteering role before the specified end date will be provided in writing.
Due to changing personal circumstances volunteers from time to time may need to resign from their voluntary position prior to completing their role. If necessary, you should submit your resignation in writing to your FYA staff contact
Conduct and dispute resolution
All volunteers are expected to behave in a manner consistent with FYA’s values and to adequately fulfil the duties of their volunteering role
It is hoped that any disputes can be resolved through discussion with the parties concerned. All disputes will be dealt with in a timely fashion for all involved.
If you have have a grievance with a staff member or other volunteer, this should raised this in accordance with FYA’s Complaints Policy
The person contacted regarding the behaviour or performance of a volunteer will conduct an investigation
Once an investigation has concluded, the investigator will decide on a further course of action, up to and including termination from the role.
Safety and wellbeing
FYA values the safety and wellbeing of its volunteers. Whilst volunteering at FYA as a speaker or interviewee, you will be covered by FYA’s volunteer insurance.
For the safety and wellbeing of all those involved in FYA activities, FYA volunteers are required to:
- understand and comply with FYA’s policies that relate to volunteers (these policies are available on the fya website fya.org.au or will be provided to you on an as needed basis), including the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy which can be accessed at fya.org.au/safety;
- conduct themselves in a manner that does not pose a risk to their own health and safety or the health and safety of others;
- behave in a professional and courteous manner at all times;
- If required, hold a valid Working with Children Check (VIC, NSW, WA, SA), Working with Children Clearance Notice/Ochre Card (NT) Working with Vulnerable People registration (ACT), Blue Card (QLD) or Registration to work with vulnerable people (TAS) when engaging in child related work;
- notify FYA if they have been found guilty of a criminal offence or been dismissed as an employee or volunteer with another organisation following any allegation of misconduct prior to volunteering at FYA; and;
- immediately notify FYA if they are found guilty of a criminal offence or have been dismissed as an employee or volunteer with another organisation following any allegation of misconduct while volunteering at FYA.
Confidentiality
As a volunteer at FYA you may be provided with confidential information about the affairs of FYA, its staff or its programs (including any participants in such programs. You are required to keep this confidential information strictly confidential and not to disclose it to any person without written permission from FYA.
Intellectual property
Any intellectual property developed by a volunteer whilst volunteering for FYA will be owned by FYA. This does not include intellectual property that was created by the volunteer before they began their volunteer engagement with FYA
Training
During your time as a volunteer at FYA you will include training and relevant documentation on:
- FYA’s Volunteer Policy
- FYA’s Conflict of Interest Policy
- FYA’s Privacy Policy
- Respect and safety
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Child safeguarding and wellbeing
- Technology and digital systems
- Complaints and dispute resolution
- FYA’s Code of Conduct
Further reading about volunteers.
More information about volunteer rights and responsibilities can be found on Volunteering Australia’s website; volunteeringaustralia.org