CHAPTER 10: VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION
 

Chapter HighlIghts Before working in a Head Start program, volunteers should attend an orientation. The orientation: Helps volunteers understand the Head Start program, history, and goals. Helps volunteers feel comfortable with the staff. Allows the staff to "show off" their program. Volunteer orientations should include Information on: All the topics covered in the volunteer handbook. The program budget. The different volunteer positions and how the volunteer program works. The director, policy council, board, and staff. The program facility. Head Start uses several types of orientation, depending on the program and volunteers: Individual orientation. Community orientation. Parent orientation. Offsite orientation.




Orientation sessions should be provided for volunteers before they become involved in the program. The orientation helps volunteers understand the scope of the Head Start program and feel comfortable with the staff. It also allows the staff to "show off" their early childhood program.

CONTENT


At the least, the orientation should include information on the following topics:


• The national and local Head Start programs and the specific terms used in these programs (ACYF, child development, HHS, regional office, component coordinator, etc.)
  
  
• The program budget
  
  
• How the program works
  
  
• The different volunteer positions and how the volunteer program works
  
  
• The director, policy council, board, and staff
  
  
• The program facility
  
  
• The topics covered in the volunteer handbook.
  
  Staff should keep in mind that the orientation is not a training. The orientation should provide an overview to the program and keep volunteers interested in it. The orientation needs to be fast paced and well planned.
  
  

TYPES



There are many types of volunteer orientations. Staff must decide which method or combination of methods is best for their program and volunteers.

Orientation participants may include volunteers who have already made a commitment to the program, potential volunteers who have expressed an interest in Head Start, or a combination of both.



Individual Orientation



Individual orientations allow the volunteer coordinator to become better acquainted with the volunteer and the volunteer's skills and interests. However, this method does not introduce the volunteer to other staff or volunteers. It is also time consuming. Yet most programs must provide some individual orientation, since volunteers start at different times throughout the year.

Individual orientations should be conducted in a private, attractive room. The coordinator should introduce the volunteer to the director and key staff and arrange to introduce the volunteer to other staff.


Community Orientation


The community orientation brings together both parent volunteers and community volunteers, allowing them to hear the same information at the same time. This takes less time than providing many individual orientations.

Community orientations may include members of various service organizations interested in volunteering, such as local health professionals who will provide services to the program, local church volunteer groups, and parents. Both administrative and classroom staff attend and participate in the orientation. The director and policy council chair should each be introduced and give a brief presentation.

An attractive, well-lit room is the best place to conduct an orientation. Staff may choose to display children's work, pictures of program activities, and promotional literature about the program. Any refreshments served should comply with Head Start nutrition standards.

It is best to keep the presentation short but varied, using additional speakers, audiovisuals, flipcharts, or overheads. Staff discussions with key presenters before the session will help ensure that presentations are short and to the point. The orientation may include a tour of the center and time for people to ask questions.

After the orientation session, each potential volunteer who has not yet made a commitment to the program may complete a registration form. This form will request the potential volunteer's name, address, phone number, and specific area of interest in the program. An evaluation is helpful in planning for followup and future orientation sessions.


Parent Orientation


Most Head Start programs hold a parent orientation session before or just after the start of the program year. This session may focus on the roles that parents play in the program, classroom or home-based activities, parent activities, and transportation schedules. Often the orientation covers only areas that are important to parent volunteers and is not the most suitable orientation for community volunteers.

Some programs hold separate orientation sessions for parent volunteers and community volunteers. Separate sessions also allow staff to provide different meeting times and to adapt information to the needs of a specific group.


Offsite Orientation


Sometimes it is useful to go offset to a local community organization to provide an orientation for people volunteering from that group. The Head Start volunteer coordinator should work closely with, the staff of the organization in tailoring the orientation to meet the needs of the group.

Opening the orientation to all members of the organization and its board members provides the broadest audience. The more people who know about the Head Start program and the way it helps the community, the better.

If possible, the director and policy council chair should go to the site with the volunteer coordinator.


POLICY REFERENCES


Policy references related to volunteer orientations may be found in the following section of the publication, Head Start Policies: Volunteers and Community Resources:


Section 5: Orientation/Training of Volunteers




DOCUMENTATION CHECKLIST Required Documentation: Verification of orientation sessions, including agenda and sign-in sheets Recommended Documentation: Copies of promotional materials distributed at orientation sessions Copies of invitations/announcements for orientations