organisations - FAQS

FAQ for Organisations

Do I really need to bother filling out your registration form?
The information you provide on our form is the basis of your entry on our online database. This is what potential volunteers will see. It acts as a sales pitch for your organisation. You need to make sure it presents your organisation in a good light as well as provide a clear description of the position.

How many volunteer positions can we list with Reach?
We recommend you only post two or three positions at a time. When those are filled, you are welcome to post more.

How long before we can start interviewing candidates?
We’ll acknowledge your registration and contact you if anything is not clear. We then enter your posting on the database. Details will be sent to volunteer candidates within a week. After that, it depends on how quickly volunteers get back to us. When we hear from any who are interested, we send you their details directly.

Do we have to accept the volunteers you refer to us?
The decision is totally up to you. But please make sure the candidate is informed of your decision. There’s no penalty for saying no — just say it politely. And be sure you tell us if a referred volunteer turns out to be totally unsuitable. This helps us make more accurate referrals.

What happens if no volunteers want the job?
Reach continues searching for you. You may need to be patient: it can take time to find the perfect person, especially if you want a volunteer with a very sought-after skill set, such as fundraising or finance. We may suggest you redefine your job description to attract more candidates. We will in any event contact you at the end of six months if the vacancy has not been filled, in order to discuss the way forward.

Can Reach really deliver volunteers with highly sought-after skills?
The competition is stiff for some types of volunteers such as treasurers and fundraisers. With a long track record in placing volunteers, Reach can often suggest professionals from other backgrounds who have the right general experience and transferable skills who may be able to carry out the role.

Does Reach vet volunteers?
Reach does not vet volunteer registration forms, check references or carry out police checks. Your organisation will need to carry out reference and criminal Records Bureau checks as appropriate.

Do we have to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for Reach volunteers?
Yes. Reimbursing volunteers for legitimate expenses is good practice.

Can we share the information we receive about volunteers with others?
No. Volunteer information is confidential.