Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities 

Volunteering is a two way street.  While you're commiting your time and energy to help a particular group or organization, you also have many basic rights and responsibilities that are not to be overlooked.

As a volunteer, you have the right to:

• Receive accurate information about the agency & a clear, comprehensive job description
• Be carefully interviewed and  assigned appropriately to a position
• Receive training
• Do meaningful and satisfying work
• Be seen as a person & as belonging, through inclusion at meetings, social functions, etc.
• Be safe on the job
• Have choices and feel comfortable about saying "no"
• Not be exploited
• Be consulted on matters that directly or indirectly affect you and your work
• Receive feedback on your work as well as recognition for your contribution
• Have your personal information be kept confidential
• Be trusted with confidential information if it is necessary in order to do your job

As a volunteer, you are expected to:

• Be reliable, punctual, & trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Respect the rights of people you work with
• Have a non-judgmental approach
• Carry out the specified job description
• Give feedback as well as be accountable and accepting of feeback.
• Be committed to the program
• Avoid overextending yourself
• Acknowledge decisions made by the staff or the organization
• Address areas of conflict with the appropriate staff member or volunteer coordinator
• Undertake appropriate training and ask for support when it is needed
• Stay safe while working on a job.

**Adapted from "Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities" from the PAVE Volunteer Management Training Kit, and "Sample Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities" from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Tiffany Kushner
Director of Co-Curricular Transitions
(908) 852-1400 Ext. 2426
kushnert@centenarycollege.edu