ORGANISING VOLUNTEERING 

On this page, we explain how to organise volunteering. Organising volunteering means that the association plans and manages the activities of volunteers.  

Volunteers help because they want to do so, without pay. Volunteers can be of great benefit to the association. Volunteers feel good about their work. They can also gain experience that may be helpful to them, for example, in their job. 

How to organise volunteering 

Plan activities together with volunteers. Tell them about the association’s activities, values and goals. 

Think about all the things volunteers can do for your association. Write clear job descriptions. Explain what volunteers need to do in each task.

Interview new volunteers. Ask questions like: 

• Why do you want to volunteer?  
• What do you want to learn or achieve?  
• How often can you volunteer? 

Organise the volunteer’s induction and training, if necessary. Induction means telling the volunteer what their role is and how to do it.  

If your association has employees, decide what tasks employees and volunteers will do. Volunteers should not perform tasks that belong to employees.  

Take care of insurance for volunteers, such as group accident insurance or volunteer insurance. 

You can sign a contract with a volunteer. The contract does not mean that the volunteer has to do the volunteer work. If you want, you can also agree on confidentiality. This means that the volunteer does not tell the association’s business to outside people.  

Choose a contact person for volunteers. The volunteer can contact the contact person if they have any questions or problems. 

You can start a discussion group for volunteers, for example, on Facebook or WhatsApp. If you ask for information, such as contact details, from volunteers. This information forms a personal register. If you ask for and store information from volunteers, remember to follow your privacy policy. 

Support, encourage and thank volunteers. Ask for feedback and develop activities together with volunteers. 

Read the Finnish version of the privacy notice on tietosuoja.fi.   

Support, encourage and thank volunteers. Ask for feedback and develop activities together with volunteers.