42. Do we need a volunteer policy?

Small informal groups, where often everyone is a volunteer, and everything is being done on a face to face level can get by without a volunteer policy. Once groups that use volunteers start to become larger and more formal the importance of a volunteer policy increases. A volunteer policy ensures consistency, and demonstrates a commitment to good practice. It also helps clarify exactly why volunteers are being used within an organisation, and how they will work alongside paid staff. And for volunteers, it makes clear how they can expected to be treated by the organisation.