THE Zambia Red Cross Society Board of Governance has adopted a Volunteer Management Policy at its last seating to address concerns of volunteers.
The Zambia Red Cross Society with financial support from the International Federation of the Red Cross formulated the policy and a wide range of consultations was conducted in the branches before the document was finally adopted.
"The document will help to realise the significance of volunteers at the Zambia Red Cross Society and state how they can be retained for their services." Says Mr. Charles Mushitu, Zambia Red Cross Society Secretary General.
"The policy also recommends systems that the National Society ought to do in recruitment and retention of volunteers to improve their quality." Added Mr. Mushitu.
"The Volunteer Policy goes further to tabulate other certain volunteer management systems that include appreciating and appeasing them in turn inculcate the culture of free participation on decision making." Says Gervas Malibata the Zambia Red Cross Society Branch Development Coordinator.
"This is viewed as one of the ways Zambia Red Cross Society volunteers could be expert on their humanitarian services." Added Gervas.
Additionally, the document recommends on training of members of staff as training of trainers (TOT) on volunteer management system.
Among other recommendations, the document also stipulates clearly the roles of volunteers and makes them to them (volunteers).
Among institutions consulted on the policy are both local and international non-governmental organisations, Government of Zambia and other stakeholders in the provinces.
Ends.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
