Role Description - Administrative Assistant - Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Role Description
Volunteer Program Assistant
Position:
Reports to:
Administration/Office Assistant
Office Co-Ordinator
Organisational Context
Cerebral Palsy Alliance is the largest provider of disability services in NSW, providing a range of services to
people with Cerebral Palsy. These include accommodation, technology, employment, community access,
recreation and support. These currently operate in a highly decentralised model through 89 separate service
outlets.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance has four geographical regions, each managed by a Regional Manager, and a central
office based in Terrey Hills. We currently employ over 1000 staff, approximately 350 individual volunteers and
provide services to approximately 3000 service users. Cerebral Palsy Alliance is funded via government (both
State and Federal) and also raises a significant proportion of its revenue via fundraising, community grants and
sponsorship.
Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Strategic plan for 2010 – 2013 reflects an ongoing commitment to volunteering.
One of our key goals is to be an influential and strong organisation which includes a commitment by the Board,
Senior Management, staff, clients and families to expand volunteering.
Your role of Volunteer Office Assistant contributes towards both helping Cerebral Palsy Alliance achieve its
strategic objectives and mission - For people with cerebral palsy Building Futures.
Purpose of Role
The role of a Volunteer Office Assistant is to support and assist the Administration Assistant, Employee
Relations with general administrative duties.
Outline of Duties of Role and Responsibilities
Scanning, filing, data entry, mailouts.
Immediately report any incidents or areas of concern to the Administration Assistant, Employee
Relations or the Senior Volunteer Coordinator.
Not to assist with duties associated with the direct care of clients unless training has been
provided i.e. mealtime assistance, personal care, lifting and positioning, medication or providing
transport.
Be familiar with emergency and safety procedures.
Ensure all activities are carried out in a safe manner at all times according to safety guidelines and
Cerebral Palsy Alliance policies and procedures.
Inform the Administration Assistant, Employee Relations or the Senior Volunteer Coordinator if there are
any areas that you don’t feel comfortable doing or skilled to perform in.
Ask questions at any time.
Essential Skills
Customer service oriented
Good communication skills

Desirable Skills
Experience working with people with disabilities
Previous volunteering experience
Essential Attributes
Friendly and personable
A team player, ability to work well with others
Reliable and punctual
Reimbursement
Volunteers are entitled to reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of
volunteering.
Volunteers may be eligible for reimbursement of travel expenses.
Prior approval from management must be sought for all expenditure.
Benefits
To become familiar with the variety of services offered by Cerebral Palsy Alliance.
Acknowledgment of your valued volunteer contribution by clients, staff and families of Cerebral Palsy
Alliance.
To assist with promoting positive images of people with disabilities in the community.
To pursue your interest in assisting people with disabilities.
To meet new people.
To develop new skills.
To be a member of a quality volunteer program.
Desirable Training for This Position
Additional training will be offered by Cerebral Palsy Alliance if deemed necessary by management for the
specific role (for example Understanding Cerebral Palsy).

DEFINITION AND PRINCIPLES OF VOLUNTEERING
Definition of Formal Volunteering
Formal volunteering is an activity that takes place in not-for-profit organisations or
projects and is undertaken:
To be of benefit to the community and the volunteer
Of the volunteer’s own free will and without coercion
For no financial payment
In designated volunteer positions only
Principles of Volunteering
Volunteering benefits the community and the volunteer.
Volunteer roles are unpaid.
Volunteering is always a matter of choice.
Volunteering is not compulsorily undertaken to receive pensions or
government allowances.
Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address
human, environmental and social needs.
Volunteering is an activity performed in the not-for-profit sector
only.
Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work.
Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to
the job security of paid workers.
Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others.
Volunteering promotes human rights and equality.

VOLUNTEER RIGHTS
Unlike paid staff, volunteers are not covered by award conditions or workplace
agreements. Volunteers, however, do have rights, some of which are enshrined in
legislation and some of which are the moral obligations of an organisation involving
volunteers. The following list is the basis of rights as a volunteer.
As a volunteer you have the right:
To volunteer in a healthy and safe environment (refer Occupational
Health & Safety Act/s
To be interviewed and employed in accordance with equal opportunity
and anti-discrimination legislation
To be adequately covered by insurance
To be given accurate and truthful information about the organisation for
which you are volunteering
To be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the
organisation for which you are volunteering
To be given a copy of the organisation’s volunteer policy and any other
policy that affects your role
Not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker
Not to do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes
To have a role description and agreed volunteer hours
To have access to a grievance procedure
To be provided with orientation to the organisation
To have your confidential and personal information dealt with in
accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988
To be provided with sufficient training for you to do your role.

Model of Practice for Organisations
Involving Volunteers
In order to enhance the volunteer’s experience and comply with legislation and duty of
care, Cerebral Palsy Alliance will:
Interview and employ volunteers in accordance with anti-discrimination and equal
opportunity legislation
Provide volunteers with orientation and training
Provide volunteers with a healthy and safe workplace
Provide appropriate and adequate insurance coverage for volunteers
Not place volunteers in roles that were previously held by paid staff or have been
identified as paid jobs
Differentiate between paid and unpaid roles
Define volunteer roles and develop clear role descriptions
Provide appropriate levels of support and management for volunteers
Provide volunteers with a copy of policies pertaining to volunteer personnel
Ensure volunteers are not required to take up additional duties during industrial
dispute or paid staff shortage
Provide all volunteers with information on grievance and disciplinary policies and
procedures
Acknowledge the rights of volunteers
Ensure that the role of volunteer personnel complements but does not undermine
the work of paid staff
Offer volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the organisation
Treat volunteers as valuable team members, and advise them of the opportunities
to participate in agency decisions
Acknowledge the contributions of volunteers.