The development of volunteer policy has effectively and efficiently enhanced management of volunteers. The community identifies and associates itself well with the organization due to the fact that it supports its volunteers. Creation of enabling environment, capacity building and motivation of volunteers has seen them successful in life and even key persons in the Kenya Red Cross Society

1. Kenya Red Cross Society
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

2. Kenya Red Cross Society
Volunteers are not paid
not because they are worthless
but because they are PRICELESS…
By
Khalda .M. Mohammed
&
Dishon Arun Harun Okejo
Kenya Red Cross Society

3. Kenya Red Cross Society
Background
The Red Cross was born of a desire to create a
pool of volunteers from the local community to
meet local needs in prevention and alleviation of
human suffering of the most vulnerable groups.
At first this pool was aimed at providing services to
the wounded at the battlefield.
Today this has moved beyond the battlefield to
relevant tasks in the community.

4. Cont…
As a voluntary organization, the society
operates through a network of 56
branches with its activities spread
through out the country.
Currently the society has about 69,000
volunteers who assist in implementing
activities at Headquarters and Branch
Level.
Kenya Red Cross Society

5. A Volunteer is one who without pay
reaches out beyond the confines of his or
her normal responsibilities to freely and
willingly carry out relevant tasks of the
KRCS with the ultimate aim of achieving
the stipulated objectives of the National
Society.
Kenya Red Cross Society
Definition…

6. While many acknowledge and embrace the
concept of volunteerism, its practices
,integration and sustainability at both
organizational and programme level remains
a challenge.
To help the organization over come this
challenge, Kenya Red Cross developed
strategies and tools that are conceptual
thinking into action.
Kenya Red Cross Society
Description/Key Findings…

7. Cont…
Using a comprehensive and consultative
process, Kenya Red cross, developed a
volunteering policy. This policy is
structured so that is user friendly, it is
comprehensively packed to give all details
required for volunteerism in the society.
In addition the society takes pride in its
volunteers hence it has managed to use
all the 9 concepts of the wheel of
Volunteer Management
Kenya Red Cross Society

8. VOLUNTEERING
POLICY
E
WHEEL OF VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

9. 1. PLANNING, IDENTIFYING &
DEFINING VOLUNTEERS ROLES
Its one thing to know that your organization needs additional
help and that volunteer are the likely source.
Identifying number of Volunteers needed
in a project?
There is a set up system to work with
volunteers. and keeping track records of
the volunteers.
Kenya Red Cross Society

10. 2. IDENTIFY TASKS
 The society identifies tasks that the
volunteer will be performing in order to
meet needs.
Draws up a role description for the
volunteer.
Kenya Red Cross Society

11. 3. RECRUITMENT
The society recruits volunteers from the
beneficiary communities as appropriate so
as to build the capacity of communities to
cope with crisis.
Considers Social & Gender balance in
recruitment.
Enters into a written and signed
agreement with a volunteer.
Kenya Red Cross Society

12. 4. SELECTION
 Selection criteria is developed to place
volunteers in relevant departments.
Kenya Red Cross Society
5. INDUCTION
 Volunteer orientation process should be
done effectively to enhance smooth
running and accommodation into the
organization by other volunteers and
Staff.

13. 6. TRAINING
 In order to effectively perform the assigned
tasks, volunteers are taken through relevant
trainings e.g. First Aid, Counseling, Disaster
Preparedness & Response e.t.c
Kenya Red Cross Society

15. 7. SUPPORT
Provide an enabling environment for the
volunteer to perform. Well supported
volunteers are more likely to feel valued,
accepted and satisfied with their roles.
Kenya Red Cross Society

16. 8. RETENTION
 Experienced and committed volunteers are the essence
of a project. Keeping volunteers interested and engaged
is what makes a good project great.
 Create a sense of belonging, make them feel valued and
respected.
 Prevent volunteer burn out – ensure goals are realistic
and keep workload manageable.
 Retention is directly impacted by how clearly the
volunteer was recruited, how fairly they are supervised
and how effectively they are rewarded.
 Motivating them by awards, provide opportunities for
leadership, capacity and skill building.etc
Kenya Red Cross Society

21. 9. EVALUATION
Evaluate team efforts of volunteers and
staff.
Evaluate the programme within which the
volunteer worked.
Find out whether the volunteers
contribution has added any value to the
community and self.
Kenya Red Cross Society

22. Lessons Learnt
The development of volunteer policy has
effectively and efficiently enhanced
management of volunteers.
The community identifies and associates
itself well with the organization due to the
fact that it supports its volunteers.
Creation of enabling environment,
capacity building and motivation of
volunteers has seen them successful in
life and even key persons in the
Kenya Red Cross Society

23. Cont…
 Volunteer management is a process with nine
stages, which KRCS has been able to
successful embrace.
 Volunteers are the ambassadors of the
organization to the community thus ought to be
very positive when dealing with volunteers.
 Well-supported volunteers find it easier to cope
with their work so provide a better service.
 An informed volunteer is a happy volunteer.
Kenya Red Cross Society

24. The truth about AIDS. Pass it on…
Kenya Red Cross Society