Fional Liddell of WCVA explores how diversity affects everything we do in volunteering. WCVA Volunteering Conference 2013.

1. Equality, Diversity and
Volunteering
Fiona Liddell
Sue Wilmore
September 2013
 www.wcva.org.uk  0800 2888 329  help@wcva.org.uk

2. In this workshop…
•What do we mean by ‘equality’, ‘diversity ?
• How do they relate to the management of
volunteers?
• How can my organisation improve?

3. What do we mean...
Treating everyone the same
Giving everyone the same opportunities
Respecting and celebrating difference
Keeping within Equality law
Not discriminating against people
Being inclusive Wordy/worthy policies
Recruiting ethnic minorities
Making adjustments

4. Equality is…
About making sure that people are treated
fairly and given equal access to
opportunities and resources. Equality is
not about treating everyone the same way.
It means recognising that people from
different backgrounds may have needs
that are met in different ways

5. Diversity is…
About valuing individual difference. Diversity
challenges us to recognise and value all
sorts of differences that become apparent
when people work together, in order to
build stronger communities and
harmonious environments, for the benefit
of all.

6. What does this mean for
volunteer management?
• Developing/expressing organisation’s ethos
• Allocating resources
• Promoting volunteering in the community
• Developing volunteering opportunities
• Protecting volunteers
• Recruiting volunteers
• Training and communication
• Supporting volunteers

8. Eight Equality standards
Based upon the Investing in Volunteers Qualtiy
Standard

9. 1.Commit to promoting Equality and
Diversity
Targets:
• There is a written policy statement on the
promotion of equality of opportunity in
volunteering roles
• All related volunteer policies are assessed to
promote equality and regularly reviewed
• All employees and volunteers understand
equality expectation and commitments

10. 2. Allocate appropriate
resources
Targets:
• Someone has overall responsibility for
promoting equality and diversity
• Volunteer co-ordinators are trained in equality
and diversity matters
• Promotion and practice are regularly reviewed

11. 3. Encourage participation for all
Targets:
• Any restrictions to participation will be clearly
explained and justified
•Words and images in public material reflect the
diversity of the community
• Volunteering opportunities are promoted as
widely as possible, and will reach marginalised
sections of the community
•

12. 3. Encourage participation for all
contd
Targets contd..
•Equality monitoring and review mechanisms are
in place
•Action is taken to address under representation
identified

13. 4. Develop inclusive and diverse
volunteering roles
Targets:
• Task descriptions are developed for volunteer
roles
• Requirements for each role are clearly defined
• As far as possible roles are adapted to meet
individual needs, abilities, interests

14. 5. Protect volunteers from harassment
Targets:
• Promote fair and harmonious working
environments
• Any complaints are investigated quickly and
thoroughly
• Volunteers from different backgrounds are
treated with respect
• Information for monitoring purposes is kept
confidential

15. 6. Promote fair and transparent
recruitment
Targets:
• There is an accessible recruitment/information
pack
• Consistent procedures and recording in place
• Only relevant information is asked for
• A confidential Equal opportunities monitoring
system is in place
• Feedback is given to unsuccessful applicants
• Consistent approach to references and checks

16. 7. Communicate clear and fair procedures
Targets:
•Volunteers receive thorough induction including
relevant guidelines and procedures
•Volunteers are made aware of equality
expectations and commitments
•Volunteers know how to raise a complaint or
concern

17. 8. Support diverse individual needs
Targets:
•Individual volunteer needs and commitments are
accommodated as far as possible
•Different support needs are recognised and
systems of support and supervision take account of
this
•Volunteers have opportunity to input via
consultation and feedback processes

18. Further help and support
Promoting Equality and Diversity in Volunteering – A guide
for volunteer involving organisations in Wales
The Investing in Volunteers standard
www.investinginvolunteers.org.uk
Fiona Liddell fliddell@wcva.org.uk
029 2043 1730