QLDIn times of disaster, effectively sourced and managed spontaneous volunteers can be an invaluable additional workforce, relieving pressure during critical times of disaster response and recovery.
To ensure that no additional harm or stress is caused to affected people, or disruption to the response and recovery process, it is essential that volunteer coordination is conducted practically and appropriately. This requires consideration and planning prior to a disaster event, and ensures that volunteers who step up at times of emergencies are strategically engaged, supported and safe in their activities. Access to appropriate resources and information is key to positive outcomes for affected communities and residents.
Volunteering Queensland has developed a suite of resources to support and enable local government and Volunteer-involving Organisations to follow best practice in this work. These resources include guiding information and templates to capture local plans and arrangements for the management and use of spontaneous volunteers at times of disaster.
*These resources have been developed through the ‘Improving Council capability to manage spontaneous disaster Volunteers Project’ funded through the National Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP) and administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA).
View Resources
Resources for Local Government Authorities
Resources for Volunteer Managing Organisations
Resources for Managing Spontaneous Volunteers from the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience
General Volunteering Resources from Volunteering Queensland
Resources for Local Government Authorities
- A Checklist for Local Governments and organisations managing Spontaneous Volunteers in Queensland
- Checklist to effectively manage spontaneous volunteers
- Determining the best model for the management of Spontaneous Volunteers in your local government area
- Local Government Sub Plan Spontaneous Volunteers: A practical Guide for Local Government
- Sample Agreement: Activation and use of Volunteering Queensland’s EV CREW service
- Sample Memorandum of Understanding
- Sample Messaging Provides a series of recommended social media posts to use at various stages of response and recovery to support messages regarding the need or non-need for volunteer assistance.
- Sample: Volunteer Reception and Registration Centre Plan
- Template: Local Spontaneous Volunteers Roles Scope
Resources for Volunteer Managing Organisations
- Checklist for organisations managing Spontaneous Volunteers
- Organisational Plan Management of Spontaneous Volunteers: A practical guide for volunteer involving organisations
- Sample Position Description: Organisation Spontaneous Volunteer Manager
- Sample Position Description: Team Leader – Spontaneous Volunteer
- Template: Briefing Sheet Spontaneous Volunteer Operations
- Template: Debriefing Spontaneous Volunteer Operations
- Template: Registration Form and Agreement for Spontaneous Volunteers
- Template: Spontaneous Volunteer Task Management Plan
Resources for Managing Spontaneous Volunteers from the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience
The Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience has some important resources to access including:
Communities Responding to Disasters: Planning for Spontaneous Volunteers Handbook
Spontaneous Volunteer Strategy
Spontaneous Volunteer Management Resource Kit
General Volunteering Resources from Volunteering Queensland
Volunteering Queensland has a multitude of resources available to assist volunteers, volunteer managers and volunteer-involving organisations.
Access our growing library of resources on all aspects of volunteering and volunteer management here.
Volunteering Queensland Resource Central
Projects
Volunteering Queensland has undertaken projects in the Disaster Resilience space.
Building local Capability to manage spontaneous Volunteers
Disaster Preparedness for older people project
Training
Did you know Volunteering Queensland provide training and professional development to support Volunteer Involving Organisations and Councils in the management of and coordination of Spontaneous Disaster Volunteers.
For further information and costings related to this service, please contact Volunteering Queensland on 3002 7600.