Benefits of Being A RUPFA International Volunteer:
• Recognition for your service hours.
• Annually, we hold a gala Homage Day Luncheon in the last quarter of the year. This event celebrates our unsung heroes (YOU!) for giving 50 hours of volunteer service a year (calculated from June to July of the following year.
• Open House.
• During April’s National Volunteer Week, RUPFA International staff hosts an “Open House” at the Country’s offices. This is a great opportunity to meet all RUPFA International staff, share a light refreshment and get to know other RUPFA International volunteers from a variety of project sites.
• Liability Insurance.
• A wrap-around policy to your own insurance, covering you while traveling to and from your station and while volunteering at your station.
• Travel Reimbursement. (As of May 2018, travel reimbursement is no longer available due to defunding.)
• For some it is a social opportunity to become part of a community and make new friends.
• Others are moved to volunteer where they may be able to make a difference in an area of interest or concern.
• Some see it as an opportunity to affirm the value of their life by sharing the knowledge and experience they have acquired.
• Many see it as an opportunity to learn and apply new skills, a proven way to help retain cognitive function.
• For others, it is a way of saying “thank you” to the universe for their life and gifts by giving back to the community through service.
• Whatever your reason, we are grateful that you have chosen to be a part of the community of volunteers at RUPFA International. We hope your volunteer experience enriches your life and provides you with an opportunity for service and learning.
As A Volunteer, You Have the Right To:
• Receive adequate information, training and a clear description of what is expected of you from RUPFA International and your volunteer station.
• A suitable project, task or job and to say “no” to tasks that you are unable to do or would rather not do.
• Have supervision provided by a designated staff member at your volunteer station.
• Receive respect and support from your fellow volunteers and staff.
• Be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses, providing prior approval is obtained with the supervisor.
• Work in a safe and healthy environment.
• Be provided with a place to work and suitable tools and materials.
• Have your personal details kept in a confidential manner.
• Be informed and have an understanding of the volunteer station’s fundamental mission and place in the community.
• Be recognized for your service.
• Be informed of standard emergency procedures at your station. Your station supervisor should tell you about fire alarms and warning devices, evacuation procedures and directives for medical emergencies. If this information is not part of your volunteer station orientation, ask about emergency procedures.
• Have an enjoyable, fulfilling experience volunteering. RUPFA International does its best to find you a placement that will be a good fit for you and the station you are affiliated with. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with the assignment you are given at the station, or if you want to try something new, discuss your options with the volunteer station supervisor or an RUPFA International Program Coordinator. We want to provide you with the opportunity for a fulfilling volunteer experience.
As A Volunteer, Your Responsibilities Are To:
• Complete, sign and return monthly RUPFA International attendance sheets to your station supervisor.
• Show enthusiasm, loyalty and belief in the work of the organization.
• Be dependable so assignments and tasks can be planned. You provide valuable service, and people will depend on you to be punctual and consistent in attendance.
• Inform your station supervisor at the site if you will not be able to serve at your regularly-scheduled time or date.
• Keep your station supervisor informed of changes of address and/or phone number.
• Participate in the training necessary to carry out your volunteer activities.
• Not spend money or order goods on behalf of your activity without prior approval.
• Work in a safe way and not jeopardize the health and safety of yourself or others.
• Inform RUPFA International and your assigned station of any conditions or special needs that RUPFA International or the assigned station should be aware of.
Why Do We Need Your Volunteer Hours?
It is very important that RUPFA International knows how much time you spend volunteering at your station because:
- The National Headquarter requires us to keep track of your time spent volunteering as a means of assessing our performance as a community project.
- It indicates that you are an active RUPFA International volunteer and thus allows you to participate in RUPFA recognition events, etc.
- It provides proof that you were volunteering in case of an insurance claim.
- It allows us to share with other funders quantitative data which they often require in extending funding to the project.
- It helps RUPFA International promote seniors as active, contributing members of their communities, thereby dispelling the myths held by some that people who are older are useless, a drain on society, and have nothing to contribute. We know that couldn’t be farther from the truth, and collecting hard data helps RUPFA International to tell the true story of the value of today’s seniors.
Termination And Grievance Policy
Volunteers are invaluable when offering their talents and time to an organization to assist them in fulfilling their mission. On a rare occasion, a volunteer will not live up to the expectations that an organization has regarding the volunteer tasks that have been assigned.
Volunteers will be let go from an organization after the volunteer station supervisor has spoken to them regarding not letting the station know when they will be absent, being inconsistent in their volunteer schedule, an inability to get along with others, or inappropriate behavior.
Should this situation occur to you and you believe that you have been treated unfairly; you may wish to file a grievance with RUPFA International. A letter written to the Executive Director and Board of Directors requesting a meeting will initiate an informal grievance process.
Other Important Information
The RUPFA International staff and your volunteer station are committed to providing a positive and safe experience for our volunteers and the people we serve.
RUPFA International expects everyone associated with our program to follow countries, Regional and station guidelines to ensure that we do not initiate or tolerate discriminatory or harassing behaviors.
Harassment is defined as any act based on race, creed, religion, disability, national origin, gender or sex, age or sexual orientation that substantially interferes with or is hurtful to a person or persons. It is illegal.
Harassment consists of unwanted or uninvited sexual comments, advances, cartoons, innuendoes, racial and gender slurs, jokes, intimidation, etc.
If you become aware of a behavior that might be considered harassment, report it to the station supervisor. The same goes if you are the object of harassment of any kind.
If the situation is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact RUPFA International.
In order for you to have a rewarding volunteer experience, it is important for you to conduct yourself in a manner that promotes respect for yourself and others.
• Check with your volunteer station about what is the appropriate dress code.
• Treat others with considerate behaviors.
• Use respectful language.
• Be aware of the culture or standards
For example: Every volunteer station that serves children, seniors, or the public at large, has it own “culture” or standards regarding physical interaction (touching) between volunteers and those served.
What is appropriate at one station may not be appropriate at another.
If you are not instructed or made aware of the standards for such interaction, speak to the station supervisor to learn what is appropriate at that site.
We hope that your experience with RUPFA International and volunteerism will be a rewarding adventure! Thank you for the gracious giving of yourself.
Please call the RUPFA International Headquarters office anytime that you have a question or concern. We are here to serve you the volunteer!