Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities
Below, you will find a compilation of typical volunteer rights and responsibilities. The rights and responsibilities for each agency may vary slightly. Be sure to ask about what is expected of you and know that, as a volunteer, you have rights. Any time you have a concern or question, contact your volunteer supervisor.
As a volunteer, you have the right to:
- Receive accurate and timely information about the volunteer position available
- Be appropriately interviewed to determine whether you are a good match for the position
- Receive a clear, comprehensive job description
- To agree to or decline the volunteer opportunity
- Receive training
- Receive clear, comprehensive instruction on expectations
- Be safe on the job
- Receive clear, comprehensive instruction on hazards or areas of potential harm to self or property
- Have choices and feel comfortable about saying "no"
- Not be exploited
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Be listened to
- Be supported in your volunteer role
- Know that your time will not be wasted by poor planning or coordination by the organization
- Be adequately and appropriately supervised in your volunteer role
- Receive feedback on your work
- Receive recognition for your contribution
- Be trusted with confidential information if it is necessary in order to do your job
- Have your own personal information be kept confidential
As a volunteer, you are expected to:
- Be reliable
- Be punctual
- Be trustworthy
- Be compassionate
- Be accountable
- Carry out the job description you agreed to
- Take training and orientation seriously
- Ask for support when it is needed
- Respect confidentiality of the resident
- Respect resident rights
- Have a non-judgmental approach
- Be respectful of the resident's thoughts, ideas, opinions, and beliefs
- Give feedback, if needed or asked for
- Accept feedback, if needed
- Contact appropriate staff immediately with concerns or problems
- Be honest with staff
- Trust the direction and decisions of staff
- Place a priority on safety, both for self and the resident
- Know how to determine the appropriateness of the request of the resident
- Know your limits
- Notify your supervisor of any changes to your schedule before implementing
