RCSS conducts review of its volunteer management policy and guidelines
Volunteering is at the heart of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross volunteers , through their respective National Societies around the world continues to make a difference in the lives of their beneficiaries.
The volunteers of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles forms part of this global family of volunteers. During the first quarter of 2018 the National Society felt the need to review its volunteer management policy and guidelines which dates back to 2008 .
The aim of the workshop was to create opportunity for volunteers to reflect on the RCSS volunteering trend including the achievements and challenges of the past ten years and make recommendations to contribute towards a relevant volunteer management policy and Guidelines for the National Society
The workshop was attended by 49 RCSS volunteers and staff including RCSS Red Cross youth members, former, current and potential volunteers from Mahe and Praslin.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Tamatave explained “that the policy document has to be updated to be in line with the working environment of the volunteers, the needs of the vulnerable and the strategic plan of both wider Red Cross Movement and the National Society Strategic Plan”. The new policy will guide the actions of the Red Cross for the next 10 years
The workshop was led by the Secretary General of the RCSS Ms. Colette Servina who introduced the working sessions with an overview of the RCSS volunteer management policy statements through a power point presentation. Volunteers were then divided into groups and assigned components of the document for review based on provided guidelines
Generally participants felt that most of the policy statements were relevant, however strategies need to be developed to ensure its implementation . In addition, the following recommendations were made:
- Setting up of volunteer management committee,
- More publicity of programmes and services of the national society,
- Targeted recruitment of volunteers into specific programmes of interest,
- Strengthen induction of new volunteers at specific times during the year so volunteers can organize their release from work
- Setting up of an institutional recognition mechanism.
- Invest in Red Cross school clubs as a way of ensuring that the national society prepares the way for future volunteers and to develop caring characteristics in our youth
