5. Staff Responsibilities

Preparedness

• Discuss expectations and procedures before volunteers begin. Topics include:
  • Classroom and student needs
  • Volunteer interests and availability
  • Mutual expectations about task completion and/or adaptation
  • Goals for the student(s)
  • Classroom setting, rules and use of appropriate materials
  • Communication methods and expectations
• Plan purposeful assignments for each volunteer session
• Train volunteers for all assigned tasks – this includes use of office machines, phones, or computers. (Note: To help ensure enough copy paper for all ordering periods, volunteers should copy a maximum of 10 minutes and/or two weeks of student work at any time.)

Professionalism

• Realize that the relationship with volunteers requires mutual respect and confidence.
• Be cooperative, flexible, and willing to listen to ideas.
• Be a good model for volunteers in professional behavior and attitude.
• Promote good public relations with the volunteer.
• Model confidentiality and respect for students and their parents, as well as for colleagues, administrators and the institution.
• Use the utmost discretion if volunteers handle student work. CHCA policy is that volunteers may NOT access student’s permanent records, have access to student’s grades, or be asked to grade student work or record grades in a teacher’s grade book.
  

Dependability

• Notify the volunteer of scheduled training sessions.
• Be sure the volunteer understands the purpose of the task. Be clear in giving directions and allow time for questions.
• Plan for the volunteer when preparing a lesson plan with a folder containing assignments for the day.
• Include variety in volunteer assignments so the work continues to be interesting.
• Notify the volunteer of class schedule changes that affect their regular volunteer time.
  

Appreciation

• Respect the volunteer as an individual.
• Treat the volunteer as a professional.
• Express sincere appreciation for the volunteer’s time.