Volunteer Involvement Cycle

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A tool for guiding volunteer involvement

The Volunteer Involvement Cycle helps provide volunteer managers with a simplified view of a complex process – by breaking down key considerations across stages and focus areas.

Volunteer Involvement Cycle Stages:

  1. Prepare.
  2. Recruit.
  3. Support.
  4. Evaluate.

Each stage of this cycle may be happening simultaneously, as people who lead and manage volunteers are often juggling many priorities.

A diagram showing the youth involvement cycle

The Four Stages

Each stage of the Volunteer Involvement Cycle aligns with the National Standards for Volunteer Involvement – the best-practice framework for volunteering in Australia.

Within each of the four (4) cycle stages, there are three (3) focus areas.

Prepare

This stage focuses on planning for involving volunteers and designing volunteer programs. It includes identifying resources, creating and reviewing policies, understanding relevant legislation and program/role design.

Focus areas: Governance, Design and Resource.

Recruit

This stage involves the promotion, selection, screening and onboarding of your volunteer roles.  This stage is about ensuring volunteers are in the right roles and have the information and support they need.

Focus areas: Promote, Select, and Onboard.

Support

This stage involves the day-to-day activities of volunteer management including developing, training and supporting volunteers; and ensuring volunteers are informed, connected, included, and recognised. 

Focus areas: Develop, Communicate, and Recognise.

Evaluate

This stage involves collecting and analysing volunteer feedback, program evaluation and review, and continuous improvement. As well as telling the story of your outcomes and impact.  

Focus areas: Feedback, Review, Share Impact.

Using the Cycle

Implementing Actions
Download the Volunteer Involvement Cycle image – Click Save As to download. 
 Attend training on the Cycle with your local Volunteering Peak Body.
 Review each stage of the Cycle to identify program successes worth acknowledging and celebrating.
 Discuss the Cycle with staff responsible for volunteer involvement.
 Review to determine where your organisation can improve volunteer involvement practices.
 Develop an action plan to achieve your goals to prepare, recruit, support, and evaluate your volunteer program.

Promoting Actions
 Print and display the Cycle poster in your workplace, so the whole team becomes familiar with the stages of the Cycle, and their importance.
 Share the Cycle and associated resources with your teammates, as well as volunteer leaders in other organisations.
 Share the Cycle on your social media.

Further Learning & Support

Volunteering WA offers a variety of tools and resources to assist organisations to demonstrate their compliance with the Standards.

Training & Workshops

Volunteering WA regularly runs a workshop on the Volunteer Involvement Cycle; as well as a full training calendars that delves into the different areas of volunteer-involvement.

Explore upcoming workshops.

If you would like further support in understanding volunteer management best practice and using the Volunteer Involvement Cycle, please contact us via viohelp@volunteeringwa.org.au.

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