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Canoe England Volunteer & Recognition Awards 2008 - nominations open, click here.
BCU Sprint Racing's National Regattas - Assistance for Start Gate System - volunteers required.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering is an excellent way to become involved in Paddlesport. Many parents/carers support their children and club without actually realising they are volunteers. The types of roles you can do are endless and you can use your skills in many ways to assist your local club, county or region.
Volunteering is a great way to meet people and make new friends who have similar interests to you. It is also a great way to utilise your time while waiting for your family/friends during a session - and it can also keep you warm in the cold winter months! It is an easy way to gain experience in specific roles or for your career.
What is a Volunteer?
Many Paddlesport volunteers rarely use the term 'volunteer' to describe their activity. They see themselves as coaches, team managers, club personnel, chairman or even the person who sells sweets or makes the tea. However, any role in your club, county or region, which you do without being paid is classed as volunteering. The 'Volunteer Opportunities' section details more information on the types of roles you can get involved in as a volunteer.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
- Increase in confidence
- Meet new people and make new friends
- Improve organisational and work skills
- Enhances employability and is admirable on a CV
- Improve your career options
- Gain experience in different roles
- Gain nationally recognised qualifications
- Provides new challenges
- Improves health
Club Volunteer Coordinators
What is a Club Volunteer Coordinator?
The Club Volunteer Coordinator has specific responsibility for supporting the voluntary workforce. This includes coordinating the recruitment, training and opportunities for volunteers within the club.
The Club Volunteer Coordinator will play a pivotal role in ensuring that volunteers feel positive about their volunteering experience and act as a main point of contact for volunteers in a club.
What does a Club Volunteer Coordinator need to do?
The main purpose of the role is to offer guidance to other club volunteers while identifying any training needs or support required. The Volunteer Coordinator should be aware of who is best to signpost individuals to in order for them to develop their needs. Other responsibilities are outlined in the role description in the Good Practice Bank.
What are the benefits?
Appointing a Volunteer Coordinator could benefit your club through:
+ Providing support to your volunteers
+ Increasing communication
+ More volunteers through recruitment initiatives - ie Step into Sport
+ Coordinating volunteers skills to appropriate roles
+ Organising training needs
+ Raising the profile of your volunteers
+ Thanking volunteers - from a simple 'thank you' to rewards and recognition
+ Ongoing communication and support from Canoe England
Is there any support available for our Volunteer Coordinator?
Canoe England would like to build up a network of Volunteer Coordinators in order to provide more support to them. Support will be offered to registered Volunteer Coordinators by the Canoe England Volunteer Development Officer through providing you with a point of contact for communication and through any questions you may have.
In addition, Canoe England will keep you up to date on the latest templates and support available to clubs, centres and committees as well as news and information which may assist you in your role.
To ensure you benefit from Canoe England support, please contact the Volunteer Development Officer.