The following has been developed for Clubs and Leagues within the Central Division of the Queensland Rugby League. This should be used as a guide

Transcription

1 The following has been developed for Clubs and Leagues within the Central Division of the Queensland Rugby League. This should be used as a guide only and provides some strategies for recruiting and retaining volunteers in non-profit organisations.

2 VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION Recruit Retain Educate Reward RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS Appendix 1 Player/Parent/Partner Information Form A key to recruiting volunteers is to make club members/participants come to the realisation that all grassroots clubs rely on the work of volunteers for survival. That is, without volunteers assisting to raise money, run events or host game days the club will cease to operate and provide the necessary service. An effective way of knowing who is in your club is to have all participants (parents/players/partners) complete an Information Form. This can be used immediately by the club or stored as part of a database for future reference and succession planning. Appendix 2 Buddy Up Program The underlying principle of the Buddy Up Program is to create links between senior clubs and their junior affiliate. It is a very useful program for engaging the current senior playing group with the club and recognises that the senior players of today are the potential volunteers of tomorrow.

3 EDUCATING VOLUNTEERS Appendix 3 Sample Job Description Volunteers need to be made explicitly aware of what they are required to do to fulfil their role. This is relatively easy for on field positions but should be applied for all volunteer positions within the club. A volunteer that knows their role will be more likely to take satisfaction in completing their role to the highset possible and required standard. Appendix 4 Volunteer Induction Program When introducing new volunteers to a club or league it is important for them to understand the values and ideals that underpin the organisation. What makes the organisation successful? As above, an induction program that highlights the importance of the volunteer role encourages volunteers to take pride in the role they are assigned. Appendix 5 Key Divisional Contacts Some volunteer positions require specific knowledge of QRL/NRL Policy and Procedures. In these case the QRL Operation Manager and NRL Game Development Officer are a good resource for clubs and leagues to access. REWARDING VOLUNTEERS Volunteers put their hand up to assist at a grassroots club for various reasons. Irrespective of their personal reasons for being involved all volunteers want to feel appreciated for what they do. Simple strategies for rewarding volunteers include: Official letters/ s from the club or league acknowledging their effort. This is often applicable at the end of the season or after a major event that required additional effort on their part. Official letters/ s from the club or league welcoming them to the organisation. Complimentary tickets to club/league events. This may even extend to family members. The shout them a beer philosophy. Club merchandise. Makes them feel an important part of the club and easily identifiable at events or game days. Suitable resources or equipment to perform their role effectively. Acknowledgement at the club or league presentation night.

4 RETAINING VOLUNTEERS People will want to be a part or remain a part of your club/league if it is a positive and welcoming environment. All organisations should strive to achieve this and it is created with excellence and courage in decision making, inclusiveness for participants and teamwork in working towards a common goal. While volunteers by definition are not paid employees they still need to be relied upon to make a meaningful and valued contribution to the organisation. This will in turn give them an element of job satisfaction. Just as important as giving volunteers recognition is the need to provide volunteers with constructive feedback. Volunteers need to know how they can complete their job more efficiently and effectively. This in turn may lighten the load of a volunteer and increase the retention rate.

5 Appendix 1 Sample Player/Parent/Partner Information Form Name: Occupation:.. Phone:.. . Please tick the boxes that may apply to you as a volunteer in 2015 Coaching Leaguesafe First Aid Canteen Duty Team Manager Game Day Official Fundraising Mowing and/or Maintenance Ground Announcing Other Approximately how many hours per month are you able contribute to the club? 3-5 hours 5-10 hours hours 15 hours + Thank you for your valuable contribution to our club.

6 Appendix 2 Sample Buddy Up Program Model All registered senior players are aligned to buddy teams with their affiliated junior club. The club schedules visits for all senior players to attend training sessions and/or games of their buddy team. Depending on the number of senior players available these may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly visits but the emphasis must be placed on regular visits. For example, if 6 players are allocated to 1 team then weekly visits by a player is realistic. For the program to have maximum effect the club should prominently display the buddy allocations within the club (E.g. Noticeboards or Social Media) Benefits Include: - Create/improve junior-senior club relations. - Create role models/mentors for our youth (on and off the field). - Assistance for junior coaches. - Introduction to coaching/volunteering for senior players. - Increase volunteer succession plan prospects. E.g. Senior players to junior club roles (incl. coaching and/or team support staff, etc.) - Enhance senior player/club involvement in junior club events/functions (and vice versa). - Enhance longevity of junior player participation through the buddy relationship formed (improved retention). - Enhance junior senior pathway. I.e. Player retention through increased likelihood of young players wanting to play for the senior teams. - Improved support/following for senior club from junior families (juniors more likely to want to attend senior matches). - Increase participation levels (junior players telling schoolmates about the senior players helping their team may hold appeal). - Create a sense of giving back for senior players. - Create a sense of leadership and accomplishment for senior players (improve self-worth). - Create a greater sense of belonging for junior players (self-belief).

7 Appendix 3 Sample Job Description (First Aid Officer) JOB DESCRIPTION: Strapper & First Aid Officer PURPOSE OF ROLE: To help deliver sport-specific First Aid and Strapping that fits the needs of players. PRINCIPAL DUTIES: Monitor and Deliver First Aid and occurrence of injury treatment at all games. Strap players for prevention of injury and stability prior to games. Monitor players during games with regards to potential injuries or occurrence of injuries and initial treatment of injuries. Assess, record and document players injuries that occur in games. EXPECTATIONS/TASKS: Arrive at an appropriate time. Generally 60mins prior to Kick-off. Assess players who are injured during games and give initial treatment. Assist with the preparation of players in terms of strapping and first aid prior to the Game Day warmup. Assist with the delivery of water (hydration)/first Aid treatment) on match day. EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE FOR ROLE: FAO Level 1 minimum. Positive attitude to achieve in potentially difficult circumstances. Excellent communication skills with both players and staff STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Good organisational and time management skills. Ability to work in a team and multi-skill environment. Self-motivated and an ability to motivate others. Professional appearance suitable for the relevant environment.

8 Appendix 4 Sample Volunteer Induction Program 1. History, Traditions and Values As a club/league we are proud of our history. As a club/league we value. 2. Operational Vision Our club/league operates on the work of volunteers and without volunteers we would not exist. Our club/league operates to provide programs and services that are participant focussed in an effective and efficient way. 3. Organisational Philosophy If our volunteers and members can share a sense of ownership and commitment to the club our visions and values will become reality. Our people are our asset without them we would not exist We will always be striving to learn and grow so we can help our club and members learn and grow. Team work will provide us with our most cohesive, supportive and united approach to delivering our activities. We will instil confidence in our decisions by attempting to be consistent in our delivery 4. Policies/Procedures (Code of Conduct) The club have in place policies, procedures and codes of conduct that are designed to support our: Members and their families Players & Participants Spectators All members, players and volunteers need to know: What support is available under these policies Individuals responsibilities under these policies & procedures What the consequences maybe if a breach occurs

9 Appendix 5 Key Divisional Contacts Operations Managers Jodie Teys - Operations Manager Toowoomba M E j.teys@qrl.com.au Michael Jensen Operations Manager Toowoomba M E m.jensen@qrl.com.au Peter White - Operations Manager Gladstone M E p.white@qrl.com.au James Ward Operations Manager Sunshine Coast M E j.ward@qrl.com.au Nathan McLean Operations Manager Sunshine Coast M E n.mclean@qrl.com.au Amanda Ohl - Operations Manager - Rockhampton M E a.ohl@qrl.com.au Cameron Stallard Operations Manager (Central Highlands) M E c.stallard@qrl.com.au Peter Rafter - Operations Manager (Outback) M E p.rafter@qrl.com.au Dave Pearce - Operations Manager (Northern Wide Bay) M E d.pearce@qrl.com.au Lisa Weir Operations Manager - Burnett (Nanango) M E southburnett@qrl.com.au Game Development Officers Dominic Draper - NRL Game Development Officer (Rockhampton/Central Highlands) M E ddraper@nrl.com.au Sally Galloway NRL Game Development Officer (Rockhampton/Central Highlands) M E sgalloway@nrl.com.au Steve Hamilton - NRL Game Development Officer (Central Division North - Referee Participation) M E shamilton@nrl.com.au Dwayne McKay - NRL Game Development Officer (Bundaberg/Isis/Northern Districts) M E dmckay@nrl.com.au Scott Zahra - NRL Game Development Officer (Fraser Coast/Gympie) M E szahra@nrl.com.au Colin Huxtable - NRL Game Development Officer (South and Central Burnett) M E chuxtable@nrl.com.au Dean Bosnich - NRL Game Development Officer (Toowoomba) M E dbosnich@nrl.com.au Grant Bignell - NRL Game Development Officer (Roma/South West) M E gbignell@nrl.com.au Jim Stevens - NRL Game Development Officer (Warwick & District) M E jstevens@nrl.com.au

10 Glen Richardson - NRL Game Development Officer (Central Division South - Referee Participation) M E grichardson@nrl.com.au Rod Dahl - NRL Game Development Officer (Gladstone/Callide Dawson/Central West) M E rdahl@nrl.com.au Glen Dreger - NRL Game Development Officer (Sunshine Coast) M E gdreger@nrl.com.au Steve Belsham - NRL Game Development Officer (Sunshine Coast) M E sbelsham@nrl.com.au