[insert program name] new volunteer orientation

[insert agency/program logo(s)]

[Insert Program Name]New Volunteer Orientation


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


Introductions

What are you passionate about?

What interests you about volunteering with us?


Our Community Needs• [insert information on the needs of older persons in your community

– demographics, barriers to service, health status, income, etc.]


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)


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.


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?


About [insert agency name]• [insert agency org chart with volunteer program

highlighted]


Staff Roles & Responsibilities• [insert information about what staff do]

• What are staff-specific duties?• What are key positions?• How does staff support volunteers?


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?


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?


Ethics & Conflict of Interest• [insert ethics, conflict of interest and any other

important policies (e.g. confidentiality, accepting gifts, impartiality, lobbying, etc.)]


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


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


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.


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


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


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.


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


Helpful Supplies & Resources• [insert supplies, resources, websites and

publications that will be helpful to volunteers as they go about their duties]


Regular Meetings & Upcoming Training• [insert any regularly occurring meetings and

future training with specifics on dates/times/locations]


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

http://www.aging.state.pa.us/

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/your_local_resources/17952

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/your_local_resources/17952


Discussion

What excites you about volunteering with us? What makes you a little

nervous?


Talking Points• [insert specific messages volunteers can use

when representing the program in the community, including information about volunteer opportunities]


Questions & Answers

• Any questions?


Extra Slide

[insert program name] new volunteer orientation

Documents