LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES Northern Ireland Volunteer Strategy. ACTION PLAN September September 2012

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1 LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES Northern Ireland Volunteer Strategy ACTION PLAN September - September 2012 Introduction This Action Plan has been developed by the Volunteer Development Agency. It places an operational framework around the recommendations of the Northern Ireland Volunteer Strategy Working Group in relation to objectives and actions required to involve, recognise and maximise the contribution of volunteers as part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic experience; with the important legacy of using the enthusiasm generated by the Games as a catalyst for inspiring increased volunteering. It builds on the content of the Northern Ireland 2012 Volunteer Strategy endorsed by the Northern Ireland Olympic Task Force in January The areas in blue on the Action Plan have already been delivered. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure financially supported the appointment of a 2012 Project Manager within the Volunteer Development Agency (Agency). The Agency is the centre of expertise for volunteering in Northern Ireland. Its business is to champion volunteering of all kinds, work with organisations to help them engage in good practice when involving volunteers, provide training and information on volunteer management, child protection and voluntary management committees. 1

2 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) OPPORTUNITIES Objective: Establishment of close liaison and protocol with LOCOG over opportunities available for volunteers from Northern Ireland during Games Time. Ensure NI volunteers have equal opportunities to UK counterparts to apply to be a London 2012 Games Time Volunteer. ie: o Delivery of Volunteer Roadshows in Northern Ireland July LOCOG, Agency and DCAL LOCOG Involvement of Northern Ireland volunteers in 2012 Games Time Equitable access for Northern Ireland volunteers to participate in Games Time(ie in terms of travel, accommodation, expenses) o Lobby for interviews for Games Time volunteers take place in Northern Ireland 2011 o Lobby for generic training for Games Time volunteers takes place in Northern Ireland 2012 o Promote the opportunity for 10 days consecutive Games Time volunteering o Promote additional access to appropriate support to NI Games Time volunteers regarding travel / accommodation costs and 2

3 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) Objective: Development of a partnership approach with Northern Ireland s sporting organisations to develop volunteering and volunteer management. Engage with governing bodies of sport on volunteering and volunteer management Engage with Local Authorities and establish a named contact to lead on communication with volunteering Identify potential volunteer opportunities governing bodies of sport, local authorities Agency Integrated communications approach between Volunteer Development Agency and sport Increased levels of communication between volunteering and local authorities Database of sporting volunteer opportunities on Objective: Create and promote opportunities associated with 2012 in Northern Ireland, for example, assistance with any training / holding camps and / or other non sporting events. Identify volunteer opportunities within training / holding camps Identify volunteer opportunities within the Torch Run and associated events and and Sport NI; LOCOG, Voluntary Arts Ireland, Creative Programmer LOCOG, DCAL, ACNI Increased volunteer involvement in 2012 activities / opportunities Action engagement with 2012 specific Trailblazers programme Identify and manage volunteer opportunities in LOCOG Trailblazer s programme for NI Undertake a needs analysis with Volunteer Involving Arts Organisations in relation to volunteering and volunteer management Establishment of identified gaps in Volunteer Involving Arts Organisations in Volunteering and volunteer management Liaise with NI Creative Programmer on cultural events associated with 2012 in NI and potential volunteer opportunities and 3

4 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) Objective: Work with the local volunteering infrastructure to develop and sustain opportunities for volunteers in the lead up to and post Develop volunteer case studies for Agency website, and any other promotional material Provide information sessions to inform sporting organisations of the role of volunteer centres (VCs) Identify current level of engagement between sporting organisations and VCs Establish contact and link local sporting groups to VCs Agency DCAL, 2013 Increased awareness and promotion of volunteering Opportunity to measure volunteer management practice within sport Increased good practice in volunteer management in sports organisation Establishment of volunteer legacy for 2012 with 2013 tie in Facilitate, as required, information sessions to build greater links and relationships between VCs and local sporting groups Establish a baseline on volunteer management within Olympic governing bodies of sport Design and deliver a volunteer management training course to sporting organisations (CVC) Adapt to highlight sporting opportunities Develop a working partnership and strategically support the 2013 World Police & Fire Games and Establish a legacy of volunteer management, capacity building and volunteering opportunities for 2013 and 4

5 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) PROMOTION Objective: Raise awareness around the 2012 Project and work with and develop sporting organisations / events to target potential volunteers. Raise awareness of the 2012 Project Engage with LOCOG on potential 2012 directive events (ie Ambassador visits to NI, Torch Run, Open Weekend) Promote a potential 2012 Olympian / Paralympian as the 2012 NI Volunteer Champion Develop & disseminate promotional information on Agency s Inspire Marks LOCOG, DCAL LOCOG, DCAL Greater public awareness of volunteering; increase opportunities for volunteers; increase in volunteer recruitment Alan Campbell appointed and committed to supporting volunteering and the 2012 Project Award of Inspire Mark for GoldMark Award of Inspire Mark for Creating Volunteering Champions Include promotional pages on website Volunteering & 2012 to be a key theme for Volunteers Week, 2011 & 2012 and Develop portfolio of photos / pieces to camera for / future promotion Carry out 2 case studies per year on Creating Volunteering Champions participants that can be used to further promote the programme and the benefits of participation 5

6 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) RECRUITMENT Objective: Identify number of volunteers and range of roles required and ensure recruitment of volunteers reflects good practice including diversity/good relations and equal opportunities. Objective: Work within the LOCOG recruitment strategy/guidance for volunteers involved within London Games Time Identify number and roles of NI sport specific volunteers involved in supporting athletes in Games Time Contribute to the development of LOCOG s recruitment policies and procedures Engage and raise point on diversity and potential issue for NI representation at Games Time Signpost and support individuals unsuccessful in obtaining a Games Time volunteer role to find other suitable volunteer opportunities 2011 Sport NI, LOCOG, University of Ulster Increased number of volunteers Establishment of a pool of skilled volunteers for future events in NI Increased number of event management volunteer opportunities liaison and consultation with LOCOG Development of accredited training in event management for volunteers Establish linkages with other key sporting events (annual / one off) in NI to help support and promote existing and new volunteer opportunities Develop training, in partnership with University of Ulster, to support individuals who wish to volunteer at future events Objective: Support volunteer involving organisations both sporting and non sporting, as appropriate, to implement good practice standards for volunteer recruitment. 6

7 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) Provide information workshops for sporting & non sporting organisations on the Investing in Volunteers standard Use Investing in Volunteers as the standard of practice for all volunteer involving organisations involved with the NI 2012 initiative and Agency Governing bodies, DSD Increased awareness & implementation of good practice standards in volunteer management. Enhanced capacity of sporting organisations to manage volunteers Offer all governing bodies an opportunity to obtain the Investing in Volunteers standard and Promote sporting organisations to develop and implement an operational Volunteer Policy and Objective: Use and support the resources of sporting organisations and develop links with local volunteer centres to facilitate the recruitment of volunteers Establish a benchmark of current volunteer numbers involved in sporting organisations Establish a named individual in each Governing Body who leads on volunteering governing bodies of sport Strengthened communication and liaison between wider volunteering infrastructure and sport Increased recruitment of new volunteers Key Tasks Responsibility Resources Outcome 7

8 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) Deliver an event for young people aimed at unleashing their creativity, enabling a greater engagement in 2012, volunteering and young people in NI and establishing a pathway for their continued involvement in volunteering and 2012 Department of Education, Youth Sport Trust, Department of Education, DCAL Active involvement of young people influencing & implementing the Volunteer Strategy Increased numbers of young people volunteering Establish a dynamic initiative, called GoldMark, aimed at young people (aged 16-24) designed to promote and recognise sports volunteering among young people Ensure quality sports volunteer placements within GoldMark Through GoldMark showcase the talent of young people in Northern Ireland, enable them to develop their learning skills and create a vibrant young sports volunteer network Explore the current (including sport related) training available to young people in relation to personal development / leadership 8

9 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) SUPPORT Objective: Implement LOCOG support structures/protocols with regard to London 2012 Games Time. Work within LOCOG support structures / protocols for Games Time LOCOG, Agency Satisfactory level of satisfaction from volunteers Objective: Use the current volunteering infrastructure to support access to volunteer management information and develop communication between sporting organisations and the wider voluntary and community sector; to enhance in particular the recruitment of new volunteers. Objective: Provide support structures that reflect Investing in Volunteers practice standards. Provide information to organisations on volunteer management good practice (Investing in Volunteers standard) Provide training opportunities, through Creating Volunteering Champions, for the governing bodies of sport / clubs to meet volunteer needs Establish a Creating Volunteering Champions Network (ezine) Provide opportunity for the sporting infrastructure to engage with NI Volunteer Strategy Consultation Provide opportunity for sports organisations to achieve health checks on volunteer management Enhanced capacity of sporting organisations to recruit, manage and retain volunteers Support for organisations in order for them to implement good practice in volunteer management Potential enhancement of volunteers experience through engagement with CVC Creation of a culture and way of working within CVC graduate organisations that protects, values and empowers volunteers 4 sports organisations successful in achieving a health check 9

10 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) Objective: Ensure volunteers have access to training and accreditation opportunities (as appropriate) Review event management requirements (particularly sporting events) for volunteers Develop (based on findings) and provide training for volunteers University of Ulster, Events organisations Volunteers enhance skills & gain accreditation Development of an accredited programme in event management for volunteers Devise an accreditation programme based on Personal Best programme but based on NI pre-identified needs 10

11 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) RECOGNITION Objective: Ensure that recognition and value for the contribution of volunteers is the basis for any promotional activity. Key Tasks Target/ Timeframe Responsibility Resources Outcome Launch the NI 2012 Volunteer Strategy Include recognition & valuing volunteers as key themes in any promotional materials Facilitate recognition events for volunteers as appropriate Host key recognition event post 2012 Games Time 2012 Agency DCAL Increased awareness & recognition of the value of volunteering Launch of programmes / events which centre on volunteers and volunteering Objective: Provide recognition for volunteers through, for example, media stories, events, endorsement by public figures / personalities. Key Tasks Target/ Timeframe Responsibility Resources Outcome Build relationships with regional & local media Media Increased awareness of volunteering Involve key public figures in support for 2012 Project Objective: Create momentum around the recruitment of volunteers associated with 2012 Games Time, Team Volunteer NI, that enables and encourages, for example, local communities to acknowledge the contribution of individuals from their area. Key Tasks Target/ Timeframe Responsibility Resources Outcome Develop strategic partnerships with local authorities local authorities, 11 Greater public awareness of volunteering and 2012 Olympics & Paralympic Games

12 NI Volunteer Strategy: Draft Action Plan (December ) PARTNERSHIP Objective: Organisations involved with the 2012 Leadership Group need to endorse and support the Strategy and its implementation. Endorsement / support for implementation of the 2012 Volunteer Strategy Leadership Group members Successful delivery of the strategy Objective: Strategic partners should be identified, for example, DCAL, the key sporting organisations in Northern Ireland (SNI;YST,DSN), the Volunteer Development the Volunteer Centres, the Voluntary Youth Sector (e.g. Youthnet; NI Youth Forum), Local Authorities, Education, the Corporate Sector and the Media. These partners should endorse and actively support the strategy; delivering on a range of actions associated with its implementation. Identify strategic partners Encourage & provide opportunities for partners to support the implementation of the Strategy Leadership Group Successful delivery of the strategy 12

13 LEGACY AIM: To involve, recognise and maximise the contribution of volunteers as part of the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games; with the important legacy of using the enthusiasm generated by the Games as a catalyst for inspiring increased volunteering. The Action Plan will deliver: Support the potential for Northern Ireland volunteers to volunteer in London 2012 Games Time through continued liaison with LOCOG Increase of good practice in volunteer management in sport Increase of good practice in volunteer management in arts 250 graduates within Creating Volunteering Champions 150 graduates within GoldMark Establishment of a legacy of skilled volunteers for future events in NI. more volunteers more opportunities more effective involvement 13