1.1.1 Establish basic values and attitudes of British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch towards volunteering.
1.1.3 Set out the responsibilities or British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch towards volunteers.
British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch.
British Virgin Islandsn culture and tradition.
1.1.6 This policy is fully in line with the Federation's policy on volunteering from 1999.
A British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch volunteer is a person who freely contributes his/her services occasionally or regularly, not by a desire for material or financial gain or by external social, economic or political affiliation.
agreed to the condition or membership as required by the British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch constitution and rules and is entitled to stand and be an elected Representative on governing bodies and to vote.
This policy and guidelines apply to British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch structures: the Headquarter, branches and sub branches.
Volunteering is a means for an individual or group to put in practice the movements fundamental principle of voluntary service.
4.1.1 Are committed to promoting volunteering as a significant and positive contribution to mobilizing the power of humanity in improving the lives of the most vulnerable and to strengthening communities and civil Branch.
4.1.2 Recognize and value volunteering as a means of creating and supporting a network of people who are available for BVIRC in an emergency.
4.1.3 Value all volunteers primarily for their individual contributions, enthusiasm. and commitment, as well as for the experience and skills they can bring.
especially in the field of promotion of health and disaster preparedness.
4.1.5 This policy will be implemented on the base of the BVIRC strategic plan, the Federation's strategy 2010 and the Federation Volunteer Agenda 2005.
5.1.1 Provide a code of conduct approved by the Board of directors that sets out the rights and responsibilities for the BVIRC and its volunteers.
1.2 Recruit volunteers for specific explicitly described roles or tasks.
5.1.3 Recruit volunteers on the basis of their commitment and potential.
5.1.4 Actively seek to recruit volunteers irrespective of the their race ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation, disability and age.
Ensure that there is appropriate participation of men and women, boys and girls in BVIRC volunteer programs for effective and gender sensitive delivery of services and activities.
5.1.6 Promote the participation and non-discrimination of HIV positive volunteers and an active contribution of all BVIRC volunteers in the fight against HIV / AIDS based on the Ouagadougou Declaration.
or her responsibilities towards the BVIRC, the specific task or role they were recruited to carry out, and for any emergency response activity they may be asked to carry out.
5.1.8 Provide appropriate identity, equipment and protective wear for the task or role they are asked to carry out.
5.1.9 Reward and recognize volunteers whenever possible and appropriate, and provide appropriate personal development opportunities.
5.1.11 Reimburse reasonable expenses incurred in the course of Carrying out approved volunteer tasks.
5.1.12 Provide appropriate insurance protection for volunteers.
5.1.14 Ensure that, when people need to be paid to perform a task as work, they are recognized as employees, "contract workers" or casual laborers. As such, they should be covered and protected by any relevant legislation applicable, such as minimum wages, contract employment and other legal rights and responsibilities.
5.1.15 Provide appropriate training and development opportunities for existing and potential volunteers.
5.1.16 Seek to promote cooperation and partnerships with organizations in civil Branch and public and private sectors that encourage corporate volunteering in line with the fundamental principles of the movement.
5.2 Rights, Obligations and Duties of BVIRC volunteers.
5.2.1 Act in accordance with the fundamental principles of the International, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and promote their dissemination.
Respect the regulation on the use of the emblem and to prevent its misuse and abuse.
5.2.3 Strive and work for the highest standards of quality.
5.2.4 Sign and behave in accordance with BVIRC code of conduct for volunteers, rules and/ or the BVIRC code ethics and fundamentals of voluntary services.
5.2.5 Be available in an emergency, as agreed with the sub branch, branch or headquarters and according to their skills and abilities.
Respond to the needs of beneficiaries and strengthen their capacity for self-help and active volunteering.
5.2.7 Choose to become a member of BVIRC as defined by the constitution and membership policy.
Have appropriate training or personal development to be able to undertake their agreed tasks or role.
Ethics and fundamentals of voluntary service.
5.3 Rights, Obligations and Duties of BVIRC Headquarters.
Support branches and sub branches in their work with volunteers through the systematic sharing and application of the concept of trained volunteer coordinators.
5.3.2 Identify and support research projects that will help to strengthen sub branch and branch activities that promote volunteering and share this information systematically.
5.3.3 Seek to promote cooperation and partnerships with organizations in the civil Branch, public and private sector that encourage corporate volunteering.
Participating National Societies and Operating National Societies.
These will vary within the broad range of services and activities of BVIRC and at times in conjunction with the Federation and ICRC country delegations or sub delegations.
6.1 To offer skills and talents for the benefit of the most vulnerable.
6.2 To learn and develop new skills and knowledge.
oneself as to where one could best serve and enjoy the task.
6.5 Learning to assist others through BVIRC community services.
6.6 Participating in disaster relief operations at local, national and international level.
6.7 Representing BVIRC sub branch, branch or headquarters at meetings, workshops, conference and seminars at various levels.
6.8 Taking an active role in problem solving.
Ensuring each volunteer knows exactly what is involved in the task to be performed.
7.2 Tasks should be reviewed regularly.
7.3 Provide practical tools for volunteer management and readers for volunteer coordinators.
7.4 When appropriate establish long-term objectives.
7.5 Carry out more detailed performance appraisals.
7.6 Give necessary resources and provide opportunities for training.
7.7 Facilitate good communication (volunteers want to know what others are doing and how their tasks fit in).
7.8 Consult volunteers whenever appropriate (always inquire if a volunteer does not turn up as expected).
7.9 A thank you means a lot and is valued.
7.10 Keep them informed of National Societies progress and achievements.
7.11 Arrange visits to projects and other places.
7.12 Free exchange of information between staff and volunteers.
7.13 Annual volunteer conferences, occasional seminars.
7.14 Produce regular newsletters for volunteers.
7.16 Sending welcome letters to new volunteers.
7.17 Learning how to say thank you by telephone, letter , privately or officially, informally or formally.
7.18 Long service awards in relation to number of years of service e.g. badges, certificates, medals to show care and support to volunteers.
7.19 Ensure volunteers enjoy their work, are valued both by the sub branch, branches and the headquarters.
Volunteering affects most aspects of British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch activities in particular program development, implementation and evaluation, and local national and international governance.
This policy and guidelines should be considered in conjunction with the British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch constitution and all other British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch policies with specific reference to the Branch policy, Gender policy, Youth policy, Health policy, Communication policy and Disaster Management policy.
1.0 WHO IS A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS RED CROSS BRANCH VOLUNTEER?
A British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch volunteer is a person who freely contributes his/her services regularly or occasionally, not by a desire of material or financial gain or by external social, economic or political affiliation.
are engaged in the day today activities of the National Branch.
These are called upon in the time of emergency or need to provide specific services on behalf of the National Branch.
British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch services for the vulnerable.
Community Disaster Response Team(CDRT); Blood Donors; First Aiders; First Aid Instructors; Red Cross Action Team members; Refugee workers, Emergency response and Stand by teams; Corporate volunteers; Community Health Workers; Traditional Birth Attendants; Village Health Committees; Dissemination Backup teams; Tracing Antennas; Volunteer coordinators and focal point persons for various activities.
4.1.3 Strive to work for the highest standard of service.
4.1.4 Fulfill duties without discrimination of nationality, race, gender , political views or religious belief.
4.1.6 Respect the confidentiality of those you assist.
4.1.7 Promote mutual understanding with people they work with and for .
4.1.8 Respond to the needs of others in a humanitarian and compassionate way.
To assist BVIRC in carrying out its humanitarian activities to serve the most vulnerable.
5.1.2 To increase membership base in order to meet the humanitarian challenges within British Virgin Islands.
5.1.3 To build the capacity of the Branch in terms of its human resource base.
6.1.1 After deciding needed skills, prospective volunteers can be identified using a network of family, friends, colleagues and business contacts. Recruitment of suggested candidates is personal and direct.
6.1.2 Design appropriate posters for the type of volunteers needed.
6.1.3 Target locations for volunteers you want e.g. waiting areas for doctors, public notice boards, places of worship, Universities, factories, schools, library e.t.c.
To be put on notice boards, leave in homes, in stores, on packed cars, give out on the streets, give school children to take home, put in image pockets and at any other public places.
6.3.1 Have a display showing various volunteer work by BVIRC volunteers e.g. relief, emergency, blood donation, dissemination and fundraising.
Provide a person to answer questions, and take names and follow-up contact address.
Provide information leaflets and volunteer application forms.
6.4.1 Placed in strategic public place.
Include leaflets with a provision to record names and addresses of those interested.
6.5.1 Decorate a van, bus or car with posters.
6.5.2 Take to strategic public place like car parks, theatre, hospitals, trading centers, and universities or drive it on a busy street or in communities.
6.6.1 Invite volunteers to participate in national, branch or sub branch action.
6.6.2 Invite public to see such action.
6.6.3 Offer information about volunteering.
National Branch, branch or sub branch.
6.7.1 Do something of interest the volunteers occasionally.
6.7.2 Give new and interesting assignments.
Selection as a process is a means by which the suitability of potential volunteers is assessed. It helps show the most appropriate role of a volunteer. The process should be kept as simple and informal as possible. It should help the potential volunteer to judge whether he/she will be happy working for the headquarters, branch or sub branch.
An application form should be filled with all appropriate detail.
An informal meeting/interview should be held. This is to give opportunity for personal impressions and to decide the best placement.
Provide proper guidelines for interview based on branch or headquarters volunteer needs.
Inform a volunteer applicant as soon as possible of decision for volunteer tasks. Ensure that there is a particular person in the sub branch, branch or head quarter that the volunteer will relate to who will manage and support him/her.
-Introduction letter from an appropriate person.
-A leaflet explaining the aims of BVIRC and examples of work done by BVIRC.
-Explanation of the organizational structure of BVIRC, branch or sub branch.
-Introduction to all key people involved.
-Details of activities the volunteer will participate in.
-Amount of time/period of volunteer involvement.
- Terms and conditions of volunteer involvement.
8.0 WHEN DOES BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS RED CROSS BRANCH NEED VOLUNTEERS?
In emergency , relief and developmental work.
Each volunteer has a responsibility to BVIRC and the people he/she has chosen to work for.
9.1 Remember that when they are working for BVIRC they are representing the Red Cross movement and its ideals.
9.1.2 Familiarize themselves with the volunteer's code of ethics, the fundamental principles, the philosophy of voluntary service, Geneva Conventions and the two additional protocols.
9.1.3 Be attentive to the needs of others at all times.
9.1.4 Be ready to assume responsibilities and try to be accessible.
9.1.5 Be realistic about their availability and limitations.
9.1.6 Seek to serve at the level of their capacity but be flexible and persevering in performing tasks undertaken.
9.1.7 Seek to strengthen the sub branch, branch or national secretariat by being fully informed of its goals, objectives and policies.
9.1.8 Try to be positive and enthusiastic.
authority before taking a decision.
10.0 WHAT A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS RED CROSS BRANCH VOLUNTEER MUST NOT DO.
10.1 Commit resources of BVIRC without prior mandate.
10.2 Misuse his/her Red Cross position for personal advantage.
10.3 Take advantage of his/her Red Cross status to perform private transactions or sales from which a profit can be derived for himself/herself or for a third party.
11.0 WHAT A BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS RED CROSS BRANCH VOLUNTEER MUST KNOW.
11.1 History of the Red Cross movement.
CODE OF ETHICS AND FUNDAMENTALS OF VOLUNTARY SERVICE.
Red Crescent movement and promote their dissemination.
Strive to work for the highest standard of service.
Fulfill duties without discrimination of nationality, race, gender, political views or religious belief.
Respect the confidentiality of those you assist.
I being a volunteer of the British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch do hereby undertake to abide by the British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch Volunteer Guidelines and to be bound by the rules/regulations therein and the code of ethics and Fundamentals of Voluntary service.
As per the British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch Volunteer Policy and Guidelines this scheme and schedule is to operationalise the provisions herein contained in the Volunteer Guidelines on Volunteer Motivation and Recognition.
The targets are individuals, institutions/ organizations and Red Cross groups ( e.g. RCATs, Youth, Women, Blood Donor Clubs). The overall aim is to promote, motivate and recognize BVIRC volunteer work.
The awards recognize the special contribution and exemplary service by an individual/ group/ institutional/ organization to the alleviation of suffering and building of a better future in volunteer effort.
1.0 CATEGORIES OF THE AWARDS.
These shall apply to blood donors whose special schedule has been mutually agreed with the British Virgin Islands Blood Transfusion Services (see attached).
Certificates for service and leadership volunteers after completion of training, activity or mission. This means every volunteer will receive a certificate after accomplishing an assignment or after serving in a position of responsibility.
1.3 Performance related/ Service Awards.
Departments, Academic Institutions, etc. and groups will include RCATs, Youth Groups, Women Groups, Gender Groups, ex-delegates, etc.
1.3.1 The British Virgin Islands Red Cross Branch Henry Dynant Award.
This will be given to individuals for exceptional performance in the services of the Red Cross cause.
1.3.2 The BVIRC Humanitarian Award.
This will be given to Institutions/ Organizations and any recognized corporate body that will have contributed to the Red Cross cause.
1.3.3 The BVIRC Community Services Award.
This award will be given to BVIRC groups that will have provided a humanitarian service to the vulnerable people within the area of their competence and jurisdiction.
The BVIRC awards are intended to recognize and reward outstanding services, contributions and acts of great devotion, mainly of national significance, to the cause of the Red Cross by any of its members, volunteers Red Cross groups, Institutions and Organizations.
personal freedom and saving life. It may also be awarded for a long period of devoted service to the BVIRC. Equally to be awarded is for making any kind of contribution to the promotion of the Red Cross cause.
The awards shall be awarded every year by decision of the National Council in plenary session.
2.4 No more than five awards shall normally be awarded every year in each category.
The National Council shall be free to reduce that number or in exceptional cases to increase it. This does not however apply to the blood donor Special schedule.
2.5 The BVIRC awards may be awarded posthumously to members who have died.
3.1 At the beginning of the year, the Secretary General shall release nomination forms to all Branches and interested individuals, requesting all concerned to propose candidates for the award.
3.2 Nominations for the award should be addressed to the Secretary General BVIRC giving details and wherever possible enclosing supporting documents and testimonies. Nominations have to be channeled through branches, to reach by end of the month of March.
to get all the relevant facts.
as will be determined by the Central Governing Board. If the beneficiary or member of his family is not present, the award will be handed to the Secretary General for presentation to the beneficiary on behalf of the Chairperson of the National Council.
The awards will in no way be money in cash form. The awards will be symbolic and will be in forms of Medals, Plaques with relevant Red Cross symbols.
BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS RED CROSS AWARDS.
The British Virgin Islands Red Cross Awards recognize an individual or group or institution whose work exemplifies or inspires the humanitarian valves of human dignity, respect, compassion and the protection and assistance implied in the fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Policy and Volunteer Awards scheme this 23rd day of February 2002.
. Systematic award that is easy to administer.
. Awards should not have monetary value; certificates are appreciated.
. Risk of loss of the spirit of voluntarism.
Certificates are of different colors and design according to the different levels.