OSCR becomes a Volunteer Charter Champion
Today OSCR has pledged support as a Volunteer Charter Champion to help support and promote volunteering in Scotland.
Launched on June 5 2023, the Volunteer Charter has been developed by Volunteer Scotland and the Scottish Trades Union Congress, and it sets out 10 principles for assuring legitimacy when engaging volunteers.
Individuals and organisations who either involve volunteers directly or have influence over decisions which affect volunteering are invited by Volunteer Scotland to pledge their support for the Volunteer Charter as a Charter Champion.
The Volunteer Charter sets out the ten key principles which help to underpin good relations within a volunteering environment. It is open to any individual, group or organisation from any sector – including charities of all types and sizes.
The principles state that volunteering should be a freely made choice, without compulsion, threat of sanctions or force. They also state that volunteers should not carry out duties formerly carried out by paid workers or undercut their pay and conditions.
To be a Charter Champion, you would be expected to understand the principles of the Volunteer Charter and take active steps to uphold them. This could mean ensuring that there are dedicated staff to recruit and support volunteers, or committing to regularly reviewing volunteer roles to ensure they are not replacing the tasks of paid workers.
Becoming a Charter Champion is a great way to signal to your volunteers, partners or other stakeholders that you are committed to ensuring positive and legitimate volunteer experiences. Your pledge would last for 3 years, and a resource pack will be provided to help you promote your pledge.
You can find out more and sign up as a Charter Champion on the Volunteer Charter webpage. For more information, email charter@volunteerscotland.org.uk.