VOLUNTEER POLICY

Scope

This policy applies to all volunteers who work with Table Tennis NT (TTNT) and its member

associations and clubs.

A “volunteer” is defined as someone who performs a role or task voluntarily and without any

expectation of financial gain.

The Essential Role of Volunteers in NT Table Tennis

In the Northern Territory, table tennis is not a professional sport and it does not raise enough

revenue to remunerate most of the roles essential to the operation of the sport. Volunteers are

critical to the achievement of the vision, goals and objectives of Table Tennis NT and its member

associations.

Table Tennis NT values its volunteers highly and believes that it is important that those volunteers

perceive that they are both valued and supported.

Leadership and Management

The Table Tennis NT Board will lead and promote a positive culture towards volunteering and

implement effective management systems to support volunteers.

This policy and associated procedures will be communicated across TTNT and its member
associations.

Responsibilities for leading and managing volunteer involvement will be defined and
supported.

The resources necessary to implement this policy and associated procedures will be
identified and allocated as required.

Volunteer involvement required to achieve TTNT’s goals and objectives will be planned.
TTNT’s risk management processes will be applied to the involvement of volunteers.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers are involved in meaningful roles which contribute to TTNT’s vision, goals and

objectives.

Volunteer roles will be defined, documented and communicated.
The rationale for roles which are remunerated rather than voluntary will be clearly
defined, documented and communicated.

Volunteer roles will be reviewed with input from the volunteers as well as from the
governing body and any relevant staff.

Recruitment and Selection

Volunteer recruitment and selection strategies and processes will be planned, consistent and

designed to meet the needs of TTNT and its associated members and of volunteers.

Planned approaches will be used to attract volunteers with the necessary motivation,
skills, knowledge and qualities.

Potential volunteers will be provided with relevant information about the association,
the volunteer role and the recruitment and selection process.

Volunteers will be selected based on motivation, knowledge, skills and other qualities
relevant to the role, and consistent with anti-discrimination legislation.

Appropriate screening processes, including Working With Children Clearances will be
applied to volunteer roles involved with juniors or junior programs.

Support and Development

Volunteers need to understand their roles and have the opportunity to gain any necessary

knowledge and skills required to perform their roles, and should be provided with feedback

and support to safely and effectively carry out their duties.

Volunteers will be provided with orientation relevant to their role and responsibility.
Volunteers knowledge and skills will be reviewed to identify support and development
needs and appropriate training and development opportunities are provided.

Volunteers will be provided with the supervision and support necessary to assist them
undertake their roles and responsibilities.

Changes to the involvement of a volunteer or to a volunteer role will be undertaken
fairly and consistently and in consultation with relevant volunteers.

Workplace Safety and Wellbeing

The health, safety and wellbeing of volunteers is protected in the association.

Effective working relationships between the governing body, volunteers and staff will
be facilitated by the association.

Processes will be implemented to protect the health and safety of volunteers working in
the association and volunteers will have appropriate insurance cover.

Volunteers will have access to the complaints and grievances procedure.

Volunteer Recognition

The value of volunteers and their contribution to the association is understood, appreciated

and acknowledged.

Volunteers will receive feedback about how their contributions benefit the association,
its members and community members who participate in its programs.

The association will regularly acknowledge the contributions made by volunteers and
the positive impact on the association and the community.

Volunteer acknowledgement will be appropriate to the volunteer role and respectful of
the individual volunteer and their motivation.

Quality Management and Continuous Improvement

The association aims to implement “best practice” volunteer management practice and will

review its practices to achieve continuous improvement.

Appropriate procedures will be developed to implement all aspects of this policy.