Policies for Volunteer
Confidentiality:
Your data will remain confidential with The Pole Star. Information that is obtained while volunteering with The Pole Star and which is sensitive in nature is to be treated as confidential.
Accountability:
Delegated authorities and assigned duties and work from The Pole Star will be monitered strictly. You are responsible for your work and its accuracy.
Commitment:
As a volunteer with The Pole Star, you are expected to honor the mutually agreed time period except in case of an illness or an emergency.
Training :
A training program is conducted twice a year. Orientation to The Pole Star philosophy, policies, and procedures, precedes your placement. Sessions are held for enhancing skills and commitment levels to make the volunteering more effective and productive for all concerned.
Volunteer responsibility:
You will have clearly defined responsibilities. You are not expected to bear any program cost. Any injury/health related cost incurred while volunteering will be borne by the volunteer.
Volunteer evaluation:
You will be evaluated by the program coordinator as well as The Pole Star. This evaluation will help to improve the program, optimize your involvement in the assigned program, and to recognize your contribution to the program.
Volunteer complaints:
Your complaints will be addressed by The Pole Star to enable a productive and positive volunteer experience.
Reimbursement:
You will be reimbursed by The Pole Star only if prior approval has been given to meet out of pocket expenses for any particular program.
Exit policy:
Minimum of one month notice will be required from a volunteer who has agreed to volunteer for six months or more. Ten days notice period may be given for any period less than six months along with the reasons for this decision.
Exit Interview:
An exit interview will be conducted by the program coordinator of The Pole Star. This is to obtain your feedback regarding the program and volunteering experience, and to facilitate closure of that particular volunteering tenure.
Volunteer status:
A volunteer will be put on an ‘active’ or ‘inactive’ list. An ‘active’ volunteer is one who is currently associated with a program. If you have completed the volunteering period you will be put on the ‘inactive’ list and will remain on The Pole Star list for future volunteering opportunities.
Recognition:
The Pole Star appreciates the time, skills, enthusiasm and energy shared by you for the benefit of communities through different programs. A commendation letter/certificate is awarded to all volunteers at the culmination of the volunteering period.
Procedures :
Recruitment schedule:
You can begin work after attending orientation and training sessions, which will be conducted after a specific number of volunteers have enrolled. We will require a commitment from you of at least one day a week for a minimum of three months.
Selection and Placement:
Volunteers are selected based on their applications and reference checks. Programs are assigned after assessing and matching your skills, experience, time availability and areas of interest with the program’s needs, keeping in view any possible language hurdles. You will be interviewed on telephone and in person by The Pole Star representatives.
Training:
Training sessions are conducted for skill training and orientation to the social development sector, as well as to familiarize you with The Pole Star's philosophies, policies, procedures and code of conduct.
Recognition:
Your services are recognized through a “Certificate of Appreciation” issued by The Pole Star. Outstanding volunteers are acknowledged with the “Volunteer of the Year Award”.
Code of Conduct :
As an ambassador of The Pole Star, your conduct should be exemplary and reflect positively on the organization
Respect and try to understand the diverse cultures of the people you work with
Be open to different approaches of the people you work with
Treat everyone with respect and dignity
Dress with regard to the local customs and cultures
Do not take part in any political demonstrations or illegal activities
You will be expected to conform to all the policies and procedures of the organization with which you are placed
As a volunteer, while you may offer suggestions, you are not entitled to make any alterations to management structures or administrative policies, unless permitted by the organization
All volunteers are required to be present on the days assigned to them. Please notify the organization in advance in case of absence
Misconduct, usage of drugs or alchol & nonperformance of assigned tasks can result in termination of volunteering services