Managing & Integrating Volunteers

Case Study Cyclone Larry

Cyclone Larry – Key Challenges
 Integration of pre-existing expertise with post-event
management structures
 Integration/co-ordination of entire emergency
management process
 Community/needs driven support services
 Flexibility
Cyclone Larry - Volunteer Roles
 Evacuation centres Basic needs (food/water)
Donated goods distribution
 Care & comfort/Outreach
 Community development
Volunteer Types
 Those affiliated with an organisation prior to an
event
 Trained
 Understand roles, disaster management arrangements
 Credentials & legitimacy verified
 Prepared
 Spontaneous volunteers
 Motivated by the disaster
 May bring specific skills/experience
 Most effective when trained, organised & integrated
Cyclone Larry - Volunteer engagement

 Relationships with key stakeholders

 Integration/Needs driven
 Insight/awareness of community vulnerability and
emergency management arrangements
 Capacity to identify and meet emergent needs
 Flexibility of roles; basic needs, practical assistance,
information, personal support
Cyclone Larry – Key Lessons
Key Lessons
 Community expectation
 Volunteer expectation
 Flexibility
 Integration/partnership
 Harnessing local capacity
 Development/learning opportunity
 Availability/impact on ongoing services
 Training/understanding
 Suitability/appropriateness
 Flexibility/leadership
Volunteers - Key requirements
(General)
• Comprehensive information flow and updates tool
• Flexibility in roles and duties based on needs
• Good briefings
• Ongoing support by colleagues and management –regular
checking and communication
• Knowledge about the effects of stress and how to recognize signs
of burnout
• Attention to demobilisation and graduated disengagement
• Operational debriefings
• Ongoing support offered upon return
• Adequate time for rest, rejuvenation and reconnection with
personal-social contexts
Volunteer management

Key considerations
 Which agencies will provide volunteers?
 Will spontaneous volunteers be used?
 If so, how will they be engaged?
 What roles will volunteers play?
 Who will coordinate volunteer involvement?
 What training is required?
 What equipment and resources are required?
 How will volunteer teams be formed and mobilised?
Volunteer Briefing
Key information for volunteers
 Background/Context of situation
 Role/Responsibilities
 Sites/Places you may be working
 Accommodation
 Travel & deployment arrangements
 What to bring
 Personal needs
 Communication
 Practical needs
 What will be provided
 Maps
 Food & water
 Communication equipment
 Ongoing support