Benefits of volunteering
Rights of a volunteer
Opportunities for volunteers
Local heroes

Volunteering Australia defines a volunteer as 'a person who chooses to contribute their time, skills and experience, for no payment …… to benefit the community.'

Most not-for-profit organisations rely on volunteers for the delivery of a significant proportion of their programs and activities. These organisations have an obligation to ensure they support and manage their volunteers as they would paid staff. In turn, volunteers have a responsibility to:

• Ensure they have the time necessary to take on a volunteer position
• Work within the policies and rules of the organisation
• Respect the privacy of staff, members and other volunteers
• Be reliable and dependable
• Complete agreed hours and tasks
• Inform the organisation when they will not be available to volunteer
• Be loyal to the organisation
• Speak up about important issues or concerns
• Attend orientation and training sessions
• Follow directions given by supervisors
• Be a team player and to support staff and other volunteers
• Be considerate of the views of staff, clients or members and other volunteers
• Identify their limitations and expectations
• Be accountable and accept constructive criticism.

 Benefits of volunteering

Volunteers will often report that they experience far greater rewards from volunteer work than they had originally anticipated. While the benefits of volunteering vary depending on the aims and needs of the volunteer, there are common themes:

• Developing a sense of satisfaction and self-worth
• Making a difference and a meaningful contribution
• Learning new skills
• Making new friends
• Helping others
• Working as a member of a team
• Sharing knowledge and expertise
• Combating inactivity and boredom
• Building self-confidence
• Exploring and enhancing career opportunities
• Feeling needed, useful and appreciated
• Gaining a new direction in life
• Securing job references
• Having fun!

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 Rights of a volunteer

Softball Australia supports the ASC's guidelines on the rights and entitlements of volunteers, which include:

• Adequate orientation to the organisation
• A clearly written job description
• Assignment to a job that suits their personal preferences, motivation, skills, experience and qualifications
• Being trained to do their job and being given a satisfying job
• Being provided with asuitable place to work
• Knowing their supervisor and how to contact them
• Being provided with adequate guidance and supervision
• Protection, safety and insurance when carrying out their assigned tasks
• Having personal information held confidentially
• Having out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed
• Being involved in decisions that affect their areas of responsibility
• Having concerns and complaints heard
• Being respected by co-workers, club members and staff
• Getting feedback about their performance
• Being recognised for contributing their time, experience, ideas and skills
• Saying ‘no’ - volunteers should not be coerced into doing tasks against their wishes or that they do not feel qualified to do
• Taking time off for a holiday or for personal reasons
• Resigning from their position as desired.

The Softball Australia Member Protection Policy applies as much to volunteers as it does to a player, official or anyone else involved with Softball. It covers issues such as:

• anti-discrimination
• harassment
• child protection
• pregnancy
• complaints procedures
• disciplinary measures
• codes of conduct

In addition, Softball Australia encourages all those employing volunteers to comply with Volunteering Australia's National Standards and Implementation Guide for Involving volunteers in not-for-profit organisation.

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Opportunities for volunteers

Softball Australia, our Member States, associations and clubs are always seeking volunteers to help with a variety of roles. Some roles require special qualifications, training and skills, while others just require a willingness to help out and a friendly smile.

Typical roles that are available to volunteers include:

• Member of a Board or Committee
• Secretary, treasurer or administrator of an Association or Club
• Fundraiser
• Umpire, scorer or coach
• Uniform organiser
• Publicist or journalist
• Record keeper
• Event manager
• Social secretary
• Caterer
• Venue operator
• Ground keeper
• Health professional
• Athlete and official services
• Spectator services.

If you are interested in volunteering in these or other capacities, find a club near you to see what positions might be available. You can also contact your State Association or check-out the volunteer positions at Softball Australia.

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