FAQs
- Can I advertise the fact that I am working towards the Investing in Volunteers Standard?
- How do I get started?
- How is Investing in Volunteers managed?
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost to achieve Investing in Volunteers?
- What happens after our organisation achieves Investing in Volunteers status?
- What happens if we are not ready for assessment after 12 months?
- What happens if we do not meet the standard?
- What if my organisation is multi-sited?
- What is the assessment process?
- What should I do if my organisation has merged with another organisation?
Can I advertise the fact that I am working towards the Investing in Volunteers Standard?
If you are working towards the Standard but have not yet achieved it, you can communicate this to your stakeholders, as it demonstrates your commitment to excellence in volunteer management.
You can use the Investing in Volunteers logo once your organisation has achieved the Standard.
You will have the opportunity to be re-assessed in three years time.
The first stage in becoming an Investing in Volunteers accredited organisation is to “register your interest”. This will put you in touch with the relevant agency for your country.
How is Investing in Volunteers managed?
Investing in Volunteers is a UK Standard, but is managed locally by each individual country of the UK.
How long will it take?
The time taken to achieve the Investing In Volunteers standard will vary from organisation to organisation depending on its size, complexity, current level of volunteer management processes embedded and so forth. It is normally recommended that the process is completed within 12 months.
How much will it cost to achieve Investing in Volunteers?
The cost of Investing in Volunteers will depend on the size and complexity of your organisation and the amount of support and training required.
See Investing in Volunteers in your country for information on the cost of Investing in Volunteers.
What happens after our organisation achieves Investing in Volunteers status?
The Investing in Volunteers Standard is awarded for three years, after which time organisations are invited to be reassessed.
During this three year period your assessor will recommend how to sustain the good practice you have implemented whilst going through the Investing in Volunteers process.
We will also keep you up-to-date with information about the development of the Standard.
Being awarded the Investing in Volunteers Standard is an ideal opportunity to celebrate with your volunteers, and there is merchandise available to help your organisation promote the fact that they have achieved the Standard.
What happens if we are not ready for assessment after 12 months?
If you and your advisor agree that you are not ready for assessment after 12 months, then an extension can be granted.
What happens if we do not meet the standard?
If your assessor decides your organisation does not meet all of the ten indicators, then you will agree how and when you will be able to achieve them, and when you should be reassessed. This should ideally be within the next three months.
Additional assessment is likely to incur additional costs.
What if my organisation is multi-sited?
The Investing in Volunteering process can be tailored to meet specific requirements.
What is the assessment process?
There are “ten steps” to achieving Investing in Volunteers. When you have signed up, your organisation will be appointed an assessor who will facilitate a workshop for Board members, staff and volunteers to introduce the Standard.
S/he will be involved in giving you feedback on your self-assessment form and samples of evidence. This will assist you in writing your Development Plan.
The Assessor will then return, when you feel you have carried out all the developments required, to interview a range of staff, Board members and volunteers and assess samples of written evidence. You will receive a verbal and then a written report. The decision of your assessor will then go to an assessment panel for a final decision.
What should I do if my organisation has merged with another organisation?
If your organisation has merged since achieving the Investing in Volunteers Standard, then it is probable that you will have to be reassessed in order to maintain your status as an Investing in Volunteers organisation.
