Guidelines for Managers of Volunteer Services Launched

Hospice NZ Launches Guidelines for Managers of Volunteer Services

“With more than 13,000 people spending more than 480,000 hours volunteering for hospice every year, we need to ensure their experience is satisfying and meaningful. That is why we have developed The Hospice Guidelines for Managers of Volunteer Services to support and resource the people responsible for managing the large volunteer teams“, explains Mary Schumacher, CEO, Hospice NZ.

The Guidelines are a practical resource covering topics such as interviewing, health and safety, evaluation and positive management - all within a hospice context. Sitting within the Guidelines are templates for job descriptions, application forms, and referee reports for Hospice NZ members to personalise to their individual service needs.

Funding for the development of the Guidelines was received from sponsors Ivoclar Vivodent who partnered with Hospice NZ to fund this project.

“The involvement of volunteers in hospice services assists us to achieve our mission of supporting people to live every moment. People who give their time to hospice are a very precious resource; they need to be the right people in the right roles, supported to do the right thing at the right time. The Manager of Volunteer services is pivotal to a positive experience for every volunteer” says Ms Schumacher.

“It is fantastic to see Hospice NZ providing this resource for those working in the profession of managing volunteers. The Hospice NZ Guidelines will be a valuable tool for staff that have completed the self-mapping competency process and identified areas for further development” says Vanisa Dhiru, CEO, Volunteering New Zealand.

Volunteering New Zealand launched the Competencies for Managers of Volunteers last week, a tool for individuals to map their skills and expertise and identify areas for professional development in their volunteer management career pathway.

The Hospice Guidelines were first published in 1999 and revised in 2004, 2009 and most recently in 2012-13. Thank you to everyone who has provided time and expertise to each edition.

Hospice NZ is officially launching the Guidelines today to celebrate National Volunteer Week, which runs from 16-22 June.

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