Volunteer Charter

Preamble

Volunteers of UniMed are fundamental to the provision of community service by UniMed and their value and importance is recognised. Volunteers and the commitment they bring to service community remain the core strength of UniMed. The individual and collective interests and needs of Volunteers must be protected if they are to deliver their services safely and effectively. They must always be consulted about issues that affect them as volunteers.

This volunteer charter

·  is an agreed commitment by UniMed First Aid Inc and its volunteers to each other;

·  ensures UniMed will commit to consultation with Volunteers about all matters which might reasonably be expected to affect Volunteers; and

·  provides the framework for the relationship between the parties, requiring the success of the relationship and the outcomes from the Charter to be judged against the following principles:
- is it fair?
- is it just?
- is it reasonable?
- does it discriminate against Volunteers?
- is the outcome practicable and sustainable?
- is it in the best interest of the safety of the community?

·  is the framework for an enduring commitment between the parties. The Charter shall be reviewed as required by the parties or at the end of four years from its date of commencement.

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Volunteers in UniMed …

· selflessly bring time and life skills to protect life and health and thus to create a safer community. They actively promote first aid and provide first aid, education and associated services to the community. Many Volunteers provide their own equipment to do so;

·  are drawn from throughout the community in order to participate in a community-oriented primary health care service through a practical partnership based on a mutual respect for UniMed, other organisations and services, the broader health care system, and the community;  to ensure that community health and safety needs are met to the best of their collective abilities.;

·  depend on the goodwill and practical support of their families, friends and employers to enable them to serve. The time available to them is limited by the needs and demands of their employment, families and other obligations;

·  do not contribute their time for financial reward but do expect to gain satisfaction from service, achievement, personal development and camaraderie.

The Volunteers will provide their services to the best of their abilities subject to the following principles; …

To:

·  provide their services for the protection of life and health and undertake other relevant duties to create a safer community in a mutual, respectful and active partnership with UniMed, other organisations and services, the broader health care system, and the community; 

·  operate safely and undertake appropriate training and planning to ensure their personal safety and enhance the delivery of services in creating a safer community;

·  exercise the powers and respect vested in them by UniMed and the community in the best interests of the community;

·  recognise and support the elected volunteer representatives and the consultative mechanisms as agreed with UniMed;

·  be committed to working in harmony and consultation with UniMed and seek to resolve differences of opinion internally in the first instance.

UniMed recognises the commitment of volunteers. UniMed shall provide its services and support to Volunteers subject to the following principles…

To:

·   recognise, value, respect and promote UniMed Volunteers who come from widely divergent communities with differing needs and characteristics, as core partners in providing service

·   recognise and acknowledge that a primary responsibility of the UniMed and its officers is to nurture and encourage Volunteers and to facilitate and develop their skills and competencies;

·   recognise and acknowledge the value of the time that Volunteers provide to UniMed and ensure that Volunteer time is used to maximum advantage;

·   acknowledge that policy development and change should always be considered in terms of its potential to support and facilitate the Volunteer contribution;

·   recognise the elected representatives Volunteers and ensure there is meaningful consultation, allowing enough time for real involvement, with the elected representatives of Volunteers on all matters which may impact upon Volunteers before the adoption or implementation of any new or changed policies, procedures or approaches;

·   ensure that Volunteer views, opinions and concerns are fully considered before adopting any new or changed policies, procedures or approaches which impact on them as UniMed Volunteers;

·   provide the resources necessary to enable new or changed policies, procedures or approaches which impact on them as UniMed volunteers to be implemented efficiently and effectively;

·   provide adequate resources to enable Volunteers in UniMed to deliver agreed services;

·   provide administrative, operational and infrastructure support to enable Volunteers to perform their roles safely and effectively within available resources;

·   recognise and respect the needs of Volunteers which are derived from their volunteer service and provide effective and comprehensive support services within available resources including but not limited to:
a. where appropriate and able providing protection against the financial consequences of extended litigation and arranging adequate legal representation with respect to proceedings involving Volunteers arising out of UniMed activities;
b. OH&S support and Development of the safest possible working environment for volunteers;
c. procedures to address issues of discrimination in a fair, just and timely manner;
d. counselling and welfare support;
e. training;
f. support and assistance for Volunteers in career progression both internally and externally; and
g. compensation for accidents, injuries and losses.

The commitment…

The parties commit themselves to use and apply the Charter in the spirit of mutual respect and goodwill and to work together in that spirit to resolve any disputes which may arise between UniMed and the Volunteers by reference to the key principles set down in this Volunteer Charter.