The Volunteer’s Role
in the Assessment Process

Who are the volunteers and what is their role? [Volunteers are people] who, of their own free will, choose to undertake specified work within an organization without payment, for the benefit of the community, themselves and the organization. This definition recognizes that volunteers participate:

• of their own free will

• without financial reward

• by undertaking clearly established and ongoing tasks

• in the delivery of agencies’ programmed services

• in order to satisfy various personal and community needs.

Volunteers do not substitute for paid employees: the role of the volunteer complements that of paid staff members, both in the management of programs and by enhancing the quality of service provision. The roles and responsibilities of paid staff and of volunteer staff must be clearly defined. This avoids confusion and facilitates understanding and support within the volunteer and paid staff team.(34)