Volunteer fREQUENTLY aSKED qUESTIONS

Community First Development projects are determined and led by the communities that we work with. We work at their invitation and pace, and the final selection of volunteer rests with the community. It is difficult to be certain of timings, but we will keep our volunteers informed the best we can. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee of a placement with a community. 

Once volunteers complete the induction process, they are registered on our Community First Development volunteer database.  There are two main ways to be notified of a potential project.  The first is through a skill search of our database.  If a volunteer’s skills are identified as a match for a current project, our Community Development Officers will then contact the volunteer to see if they are interested and available for a project. The Community Development Officers provide communities with a list of potential volunteers so they can make an informed decision on who is best suited to the project. Our Community Development Officers stay in touch with our volunteers throughout the entire process.  

The second way is via our Volunteer Opportunity emails which are sent to all registered volunteers. Volunteers can express interest in projects which suit their skills and availability. From there, our Community Development Officers follow the same process of providing a list of potential volunteers to our Community Partner so they can make their informed decision.

The length of our projects is determined by the communities we work with. They can range from a few days to many months; however, this does not necessarily mean travelling for long lengths of time. We take a hybrid approach with many of our projects. Volunteers may spend a few days working face to face with community, then will work with them in an online capacity.  It depends on the needs of the community and the capacity of the volunteer, but there are many flexible opportunities. 

Not all projects require travel. Many volunteers choose to volunteer in an online capacity, or in their own region.  If travel is needed, Community First Development will organise and pay for travel to and from the project. A small per diem is also available to cover incidental expenses if requested.  

Accommodation for our volunteers, when needed, is the responsibility of the community. Accommodation varies from place to place. Community First Development checks with communities regarding the suitability of the accommodation.

No, Community First Development works with communities across Australia in remote, regional and urban areas. 

Volunteers are required to undertake a range of screening designed to ensure our volunteers are supported and prepared to participate in projects. The screening stages protect our volunteers, community partners and staff.

Volunteers are required to meet the following screening requirements:

·       Complete an informal interview with a Volunteer Coordinator.

·       Complete a National Police Check

·       Complete a medical check

·       Complete a Working with Children Check (vulnerable people check for ACT residents)

·       Complete our two part Volunteer Induction Program.

The Volunteer Induction Program (VIP) is made up of two parts – an online course and a face-to-face workshop.

Part 1: This interactive and engaging online course aims to inform volunteers about the Community First Development model, our values, community development framework, and monitoring and evaluation approach.  The course features community and volunteer stories and is a central place for all volunteer policy information.

Part 2: The face-to-face workshop is designed to support volunteers to work respectfully with First Nations communities.  It is conducted in different regions around Australia throughout the year.  It provides the cultural, historical and social context of our work, supporting volunteers to gain new insights and perspectives.  It is an opportunity to learn from First Nations staff members and to engage in an open, respectful and healing conversation.  This workshop is a starting point to learn about First Nations peoples, histories and experiences and we encourage all volunteers to continue their learning as individuals. 

Volunteers are required to complete a new police check and medical check every two years.  Working With Children Checks expiries depend on your home state and territory. 

Yes. All volunteers are covered under our insurance, and all community partners must have public liability insurance. Whilst participating in projects, volunteers are also covered under Community First Development’s Workplace Health and Safety Policy.  

All volunteers will work closely with a Senior Community Development Officer (SCDO) throughout the project.  SCDOs are part of our Community Development Team, and they play a crucial role by building strong relationships with our community partners, facilitating projects, providing support to volunteers and leading the monitoring and evaluation of each project.