2011 Agency Volunteer Service Strategic Plan

Agency Vision A community where people of all faiths and cultures can live with dignity, hope, and a purpose. Agency Mission Through the provision of quality care, we enhance human well being in a spirit of compassion, justice, freedom and solidarity. Agencys Core Values (SERVICE) Spirituality Empowerment Respect Volunteerism Integrity Collaboration Excellence Agency Volunteer Service Philosophy - In offering the best quality of services to its clients, the Agency shall involve community volunteer support to enhance and extend its ability to provide supplementary services to clients. The Agency shall involve volunteers at all levels of the organization. Volunteers shall not displace a staff person, or be placed in a paid job position for which funding is available. Volunteers shall be considered Agency personnel, and as such, shall be accorded the respect, support and training required to fulfill their volunteer role on behalf of the Agency. Agency Goals: Goal # 1. We will proactively adapt to changing client and community needs through the provision of quality holistic services. DCR Objective I Fund development: to secure private and public sector funding and resources for Agency Program development and sustainability. DCR Objective II To promote and support increased Agency volunteer engagement, in order to enhance service delivery to clients and Programs. VS 1.II.1 - Expand volunteer involvement in Agency Programs to enhance service delivery. A. Meet with staff in new Agency Programs, April 2011-March 31, 2012, to collaborate in identifying potential volunteer roles to enhance service delivery. B. Meet with Agency Managers and Team Leaders, annually, to promote the benefits of volunteer involvement and/or evaluate current volunteer impact.

Page 2 2011-12 Agency Volunteer Service Strategic Plan Goal #1 VS 1.II.2. - Increase volunteer base by 2% in 2011. A. Target volunteer recruitment from youth, baby boomer, Aboriginal, and male demographic by March 2012. B. Partner with Community Service Learning (CSL) Program at University of Alberta, in September 2011, to recruit volunteers. C. Collaborate with Parish Relations to identify contacts and opportunities to recruit volunteers from Catholic parishes in Edmonton archdiocese by March 2012. D. Develop new volunteer roles by March 2012. VS 1.II.3 - Provide volunteer management expertise, consultation, and support to Agency Services/Program. A. Conduct bi-monthly Volunteer Coordinator meetings, internally, to discuss volunteer management issues and share resources. B. Inform Agency Volunteer Coordinators about new legislation, trends, and/or practices impacting the Agencys volunteer service, when required. C. Enhance staff knowledge and effectiveness working with volunteers by developing internal volunteer management resources. DCR Objective III - To understand and then implement the reclaiming environments philosophy (i.e., Circle of Courage) and practice, with a focus on Agency personnel and clients. VS III.1 - Attend internal Circle of Courage workshops to gain insight into reclaiming environments philosophy. VS III.2 Collaborate with staff to engage volunteer personnel in Circle of Courage goals and programming. DCR Objective IV - To achieve excellence in service delivery and adherence to best practice through all branches of the DCR Department. VS IV.1 - to achieve the successful re-accreditation of the Agencys Volunteer Mentoring Service by the Council on Accreditation (COA) in 2011. VS IV.2 - maintain Volunteer Service membership and participation in the Agencys Quality Improvement Committee. VS IV.3 maintain compliance to Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement. Goal # 2. We will provide a supportive and healthy work environment for staff and volunteers. Objective 2.1 To recruit and retain staff and volunteers who have a commitment to the Agency and best practice.

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VS I.1 To provide training and consultation to Agency staff enhancing their effectiveness to supervise, support and retain volunteer personnel. VS I.2 To provide volunteer personnel with quality volunteer training opportunities to enhance their effectiveness and personal well-being. DCR Objective I To promote and support communications with Agency staff and volunteers. VS I.1 Provide Volunteer Service content for Agencys new internal website. VS I.2 Submit articles to Billboard editor regarding volunteer service activity. VS I.3 Provide Billboard newsletter to Agency volunteers monthly. VS I.4 Attend Agency events/functions to promote the Agencys Volunteer Service. VS I.5 Provide and facilitate monthly meetings of Agency Volunteer Coordinators/Contacts. DCR Objective II To provide a variety of supports in the development and facilitation of Agency personnel wellness initiatives. VS II.1 Provide volunteer personnel access to the Agency wellness initiative: City of Edmonton Recreation Facility fee reduction program. VS II.2 Inform new volunteer personnel about eligibility and access to Agencys Employee Assistance Program. VS II.3 Invite volunteer personnel to participate in events planned by the Agencys Social Committee. DCR Objective III To develop staff continuity plans that encourage a culture of core competency development. VS III.1 Implement a collaborative team approach to participation in Agency committees. VS III.2 Attend mandatory staff training. VS III.3 Identify opportunities to participate in employee development training/workshops relevant to volunteer management. VS III.4 To identify and provide opportunities for cross training of job duties. DCR Objective IV Build and/or develop DCR staff business skills capacity. Goal # 3. We will develop strong, collaborative, working relationships with existing and new external stakeholders.

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DCR Objective I To identify, develop and enhance relationships with external audiences to achieve increased investment and awareness of Catholic Social Services and the Sign of Hope. VS I.1 To seek and develop partnerships with educational institutions to engage student participation in volunteer service with the Agency. VS I.2 To develop collaborative relationships with external organizations to share knowledge, expertise and resources. DCR Objective II To educate and engage Catholic affiliated agencies, parishes, and individuals in the practicing Catholic community about Catholic Social Services and the Sign of Hope. VS I. 3 To promote Agency volunteer opportunities to Catholic parishes and service groups. DCR Objective III To develop and deliver a 3 hour seminar for all Agency personnel that articulates a model of meaningful relationship building and effective communication skills. Goal # 4. We will affirm spiritual well being in who we are and what we do. DCR Objective I To support all Agency personnel and stakeholders in understanding the spiritual component of the Agencys non-denominational services and Catholic heritage. VS I.1 To inform volunteer personnel about the Agencys Catholic heritage and adherence to Catholic social teachings at entry stages: recruitment and orientation. Goal # 5. We will capitalize on the Agencys strengths in a competitive environment. DCR Objective I To strengthen the Agencys physical and technological infrastructure. VS I.1 To develop volunteer roles that strengthen the Agencys physical and technological infrastructure. VS I.2 To research new software options to improve the efficacy of maintaining and reporting Volunteer Service data. VS I.3 To collaborate with the Agencys Training Coordinator to design and develop an on-line training platform suitable for training volunteer personnel.

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DCR Objective II To highlight the Agencys successes and to continue to increase the profile and awareness of its services. VS II.1 To invite Agency volunteers to participate in the Agencys 50th anniversary celebrations/functions. VS II.2 To identify and participate in community career and volunteer recruitment fairs. VS II.3 Maintain information about volunteer opportunities on the Agency website, and external volunteer recruitment websites. VS II.4 Maintain collaborative relationships and/or memberships with external voluntary sector organizations.