volunteer

Want to help refugees?

We welcome you to join Friends of STARTTS (FOS) to help us assist and empower torture and trauma survivors.

Three or four minutes are not enough to describe how much STARTTS has helped me and how much this organisation means to me, my family and all the people with similar experiences, regardless of their nation, religion or race. - STARTTS client

Friends of STARTTS (FOS) welcomes energetic, committed volunteers who have a genuine passion for working with the underprivileged in society to assist and empower them. We are always looking for volunteers to actively work with children, families and adults as well as those who like to work behind the scenes - in recruitment, administration, fundraising, volunteer management and programming.

If you would like to become a volunteer please fill out the following form and click on submit at the end. We have also included the confidentiality agreement and code of conduct with this form for a number of reasons. Firstly it will save you 30 minutes at the interview. Secondly many people have questions about these topics and what is expected from them. Thirdly it saves us two large filing cabinates every year of paper, helping the envirenment and cutting costs. One of those cool win wins.

The confidentiality agreement and code of conduct is in multiple choice test format. This is done so we can legaly prove you read it.

Thankyou for volunteering and welcome to FOS.

* Name:

Age:

Date of Birth:

Address1:

Suburb:

State:

Postcode:

*Email:

Mobile:

Other phone:

Preferred interview date:

1st preferred interview time:

2nd preferred interview time:

3rd preferred interview time:

   

Please indicate which programs you would like to participate in:

2008 Peru Conference, bring people together from all over the world affected by human rights abuses, to share, find and workshop new solutions.

Refugee Art Exhibition

STARTTS Humanitarian awards.

Families In Cultural Transition

Children's Camps

Adult English Classes

Administration

Fundraising

Management

Admin

Volunteer Management

Program Management

Recruitment

Training Volunteers
   

Do you speak any other languages:

Please indicate why you would like to become involved in these programs:
   

Do you have any helpful skills that you can bring to the program?
   

Have you ever been involved in any groups that help refugees or asylum seekers?
   

Is there any reason you wouldn't pass a police check?

   

Do you have any volunteer experience?

Yes No

   

Are you okay with signing a confidentiality agreement?

Yes No

   

Is there anything that may conflict with your ability to be involved with these programs?
   

Do you have a current first aid certificate?

Yes No

   

Are there any other qualifications that you have that might be helpful?
   

How did you find out about these programs?
   

What is your current employment/study?
   

Is there anything else you would like to add?
   

CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT

In consideration of any information I discover or observe or that is disclosed to me by children, adults, volunteers, management or anyone else during the course of my work with FOS, in relation to any child or adult FOS works with, I undertake as follows:

1. I will keep all information secret and confidential and will not, without FOS’s prior written consent, or where required by law, disclose or reveal the information or any part thereof to any person.

Please select A, B or C

a) I will keep all information I come in contact with while working with FOS secret and confidential
b) I will use common sense before I disclose confidential information to other parties
c) I acknowledge that I can disclose confidential information to my spouse but no one else

2. I will keep secret and confidential any information of whatever nature relating to the children and their families obtained during the course of my work with FOS, particularly any information that may identify a particular child or parent – such as their name, age, gender, country of origin, address, phone number, religion, or the particulars of their circumstances.

Please select A, B or C

a) I will keep all information about families and clients I come in contact with while working with FOS secret and confidential
b) I will use common sense before I disclose confidential information about families and clients to other parties
c) I acknowledge that I can disclose confidential information about families and clients to my spouse but no one else

3. I will not engage in any communications with the media about any aspects of FOS, including anything to do with the clients, children and families FOS works with.

Please select A, B or C

a) I can speak to the media about FOS if it doesn't break the law
b) I cannot speak to the media about FOS and / or its clients without written permission from the FOS committee
c) I cannot speak to the media about FOS unless it is about positive stories

4. This duty of confidentiality operates both during the time I am a FOS volunteer and after I stop volunteering with FOS.

Please select A, B or C

a) I have to abide by the terms of this confidentiality agreement even after I leave FOS
b) I have to abide by the terms of this confidentiality agreement only during my term with FOS
c) I have to abide by the terms of this confidentiality agreement only when I am on FOS programs

5. I will keep secret and confidential any information of whatever nature obtained during the course of my work with FOS, any information about or received by associated organizations including but not restricted Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS).

Please select A, B or C

a) If other organizations need me to keep their information confidential then they need to get me to sign one of their confidentiality agreements also.
b) This confidentiality agreement is relevant for all information I come in contact with in FOS only
c) This confidentiality agreement is relevant for all information I come in contact with in FOS and all organizations it works with.

CODE OF CONDUCT

INTRODUCTION

• Friends of STARTTS (FOS) is an Australian registered charity that supports the work of STARTTS (Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors).

• FOS supports STARTTS in many ways including:
- Raise awareness about STARTTS and refugees in Australia
- Raise funds to increase services and programs for torture and trauma survivors
- Increase the broader communities understanding of the issues faces by torture and trauma survivors
- Support STARTTS services with volunteer workers.
- FOS is a vital community arm of STARTTS.

• Volunteers make an extremely important contribution to FOS programs and ultimately to the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the children, families and adults FOS works with.

• It is essential that volunteers understand and respect the conduct and behaviours that are expected of them when they participate in FOS programs. The code of conduct below sets out these rules.

• It is essential that volunteers respect and follow the below rules for their own safety, the safety and privacy of the children, the families, Adults and the integrity of FOS.

CODE OF CONDUCT

During all FOS programs with clients, children and families and during all their contact with these children and families, volunteers will

1. Be involved only in activities that are directly connected with their duties as volunteers. Not to organize activities without permission and knowledge of FOS. Promote the values and purpose of FOS by not engaging in any activity that may undermine or compromise it. Conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Conform with any safety or conduct instructions issued by FOS management. Appreciate that their involvement in FOS and in FOS’s children, family and adult programs is at the discretion of FOS management and, in the event of misconduct, can be withdrawn at any time (including during a program).

Please select A, B or C

a) I can organize any activity if the clients ask me to.
b) I don't need permission to organize any programs if I am a FOS volunteer.
c) Only be involved with and organize programs that have the permission of the FOS committee.

2. Not smoke, smell of smoke, drink or be under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other prohibited substance during a FOS program.

Please select A, B or C

a) I can only smoke during programs if the children can't see.
b) I can only smoke during lunchtime and breaks on programs.
c) I cannot smoke at any time on FOS programs including turning up smelling of smoke.

3. Not have contact with children, families or adults outside of organized, approved FOS programs. This includes contact with clients after you or they cease involvement with FOS, unless you have written permission by the FOS committee.

Please select A, B or C

a) I am not to have any involvement with any client outside FOS programs only while I am involved with FOS.
b) I am not to have any involvement with any client outside FOS programs unless I have written permission from the committee.
c) It is encouraged to get involved with clients as much as possible outside FOS programs.

4. Be sensitive to the different family, social, cultural and religious backgrounds of children, families and adults and respect the fact that issues of gender and modesty may be particularly relevant to children and adults from certain societies. Respect a child's, parent’s or adult's right to maintain their own religious and spiritual affiliation, or to choose not to have a religious or spiritual affiliation. Volunteers will not proselytise. Respect the privacy and dignity of the children, families and adults at all times on and off FOS programs. Every child, parent and adult FOS works with has the right to privacy. The importance of individual privacy is recognized by the Privacy Act 1988. Volunteers will not say anything to anyone outside of FOS that may identify a particular child, parent or adult – such as their name, age, gender, country of origin, address, phone number, religion, or the particulars of their circumstances or locations.

Please select A, B or C

a) When talking to people outside of FOS volunteers are okay to use names only if the people don't know them
b) When talking to people outside of FOS volunteers need to ask the families before they give away their identities.
c) When talking to people outside of FOS volunteers are not to say anything that may identify a particular child, parent or client

5. Not enter children, family’s, or adult’s homes without invitation from the parents (or GSL in a detention centre). Not give money or any other items of value to families or adults without consultation with and approval from FOS management. Maintain appropriate physical, psychological and emotional boundaries with clients, children and families. Volunteers will not engage in romantic or sexual activity with any client FOS works with or with any of their family or friends.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers are not to enter the children's homes until they have the parent's permission.
b) Volunteers are okay to enter the children's homes only for the purpose of picking up the children.
c) Volunteers are not to enter the children's homes until they have the children's permission.

6. Not take or distribute photographs or videos of children, parents or adults. If volunteers are taking photos on behalf of FOS or the clients all photos are to be given to the FOS committee for approval before copied or given to anyone else.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers are not to take photos of clients without permission of the FOS committee
b) Volunteers are permitted to take photos of clients if they have their permission.
c) Volunteers may take photos of clients as long as they are for personal use only.

7. Not give legal advice to children, parents or adults, including advice about visa applications or court appeals.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers are to make sure they refer legal advice questions to trained professionals
b) Volunteers are not to give legal advice to children, parents or adults.
c) Volunteers are only to give legal advice to clients if they are trained to do so.

8. Not make derogatory comments about Global Solutions Limited (GSL), the Department of Immigration (DIAC), Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), Red Cross, or any other organization that has contact with clients, the children and their families.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers are not to make negative comments about any organization that the families or clients might have contact with
b) Volunteers are not to make negative comments about any organization that the families or clients might have contact with unless they are sure of what they are talking about
c) Volunteers are not to make negative comments about any organization that the families or clients might have contact with unless the clients request it.

9. Report to FOS management any concerns they have regarding the safety or well-being of any volunteer, individual family members or adults, particularly children. Not take any action that jeopardizes the safety of children, families, adults, volunteers or other members of the public.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers don't need to report to FOS management any concerns they have regarding the safety or well-being of anyone in FOS if they have already reported to an appropriate organization such as police or department of community services
b) Volunteers are to report to FOS management any concerns they have regarding the safety or well-being of anyone in FOS
c) Volunteers are to report to FOS management any concerns they have regarding the safety or well-being of anyone in FOS only if they have the permission to do so from the person they are reporting.

10. Disclose to FOS management any criminal charges laid by police against them, or any finding of a court in relation to those charges and any penalty imposed.

Please select A, B or C

a) Volunteers must report all criminal charges laid by police against them only after a conviction has been recorded.
b) Volunteers must report all criminal charges laid by police against them only if they relate to children.
c) Volunteers must report all criminal charges laid by police against them.

PLEASE NOTE: You must answer the CODE OF CONDUCT questions and CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT questions above before you hit submit.

More information

For more information about FOS please call Gary Taylor 0433 355 588.

or Email president@friendsofstartts.org