Image Credit - The Centre for Volunteering. CEO Gemma Rygate presenting Linden Regina from St John Ambulance NSW with a certificate of accreditation as an Exemplary Volunteer Involving Organisation (EVIO).
Overview
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement (the National Standards) are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement. They are an essential resource for all organisations and groups that engage volunteers.
For a comprehensive guide on the National Standards, read on:
About the National Standards
The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement were developed in 2015 and refreshed in 2024, in consultation with the Australian volunteering sector. They are a useful benchmark to strategically position organisations to attract, recruit and retain volunteers, as well as increasing the likelihood of securing funding.
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Who are they for?
The National Standards are for any organisation, group, club, or association that involves volunteers. They have been designed to help:
- Improve the volunteer experience
- Ensure the wellbeing of volunteers is supported and their contributions are valued
- Provide best practice guidance for organisations to attract, manage and retain volunteers
- Support effective risk and safety practices
What are the National Standards?
Designed for organisations that strive for best practice, the National Standards offer simple, practical criteria that can be applied to a broad range of volunteering scenarios. They are scalable to organisation size and available resources.
There are 8 standards addressing the key areas of volunteer involvement:
- Volunteering is embedded in leadership, governance and culture.
- Volunteer participation is championed and modelled.
- Volunteer roles are meaningful and tailored.
- Recruitment is equitable and diversity is valued.
- Volunteers are supported and developed.
- Volunteer safety and wellbeing is protected.
- Volunteers are recognised.
- Policies and practices are continuously improved.
Each standard is accompanied by specific criteria and examples of evidence that indicate whether they have been met.
Volunteer involvement is a two-way relationship. It provides volunteers with an opportunity to contribute to social, economic, and community outcomes and it enables organisations and groups to achieve their goals, vision and purpose.
2024 National Standards for Volunteer Involvement frameworkNational Standards for Volunteer Involvement Resources
The Centre for Volunteering offers a variety of tools and resources to assist organisations to demonstrate their compliance with the Standards. These include:
Complimentary National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Consultation
Complimentary National Standards for Volunteer Involvement Consultation
Member organisations can take advantage of a complimentary consultation to discuss your organisation’s alignment with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
You’ll learn about any gaps you may have and how to move forward with a reliable action plan for next steps.
National Standards Workshops
National Standards Workshops
The Centre runs practical workshops for volunteer leaders and volunteer-involving organisations. These include:
- Introductory workshops: An hour introduction and overview of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
- Implementation workshops: A 2-3 hour workshop assisting organisations with preparation and planning for the implementation of the National Standards.
For more information, you can contact nationalstandards@volunteering.com.au
Volunteer Experience Checklist
Volunteer Experience Checklist
The Volunteer Experience Checklist can be used to understand National Standards implementation from the volunteer’s perspective.
Gap Analysis Tool
Gap Analysis Tool
Use the Gap Analysis Tool for a high-level assessment of whether your programs meet the National Standards.
National Standards Implementation Guide
National Standards Implementation Guide
The National Standards Implementation Guide contains the steps, activities, policy considerations, tips, tools and advice to help when implementing the National Standards.
National Standards Evidence Guide
National Standards Evidence Guide
The National Standards Evidence Guide identifies the practices, processes, policies and documentation that can be used to show that an organisation has implemented the National Standards.
BNG Online Self-Assessment Portal
BNG Online Self-Assessment Portal
This online tool helps volunteer-involving organisations achieve best practice by measuring their performance with volunteer involvement.
You can apply to obtain complimentary access to the tool. Places are limited.
Accreditation as an Exemplary Volunteer Involving Organisation
Accreditation as an Exemplary Volunteer Involving Organisation
It is possible to achieve accreditation for achieving the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement and be endorsed as an Exemplary Volunteer Involving Organisation (EVIO).
The process consists of 2 parts:
- Assessment of relevant documentation.
- Review conducted directly with volunteers to verify their experience, awareness and knowledge.
Read the EVIO Endorsement Guide or contact 02 9261 3600 or nationalstandards@volunteering.com.au for more information.
Please note, the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement (2024) are the intellectual property of Volunteering Australia. They are recognised within Australia as the best practice framework for volunteer involvement.
As the owners of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement, Volunteering Australia has endorsed its foundation members, the state and territory peak bodies for volunteering, as being the sole organisations authorised to deliver training and develop resources on the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement.
Any unauthorised use of the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement is strictly prohibited.