Social Safety in Organizations

Safety is an important theme. Also within volunteer organizations. Is it okay for a child to become friends on Facebook with the homework tutor? Can a volunteer earn some extra money by doing odd jobs for a client? It is not always clear where the boundary lies. What is acceptable and what is not? Opinions may differ. But it is important that everyone in your organization thinks the same way about it. Then you can hold each other accountable and prevent transgressive behavior as much as possible. And if it does happen, act appropriately.

Volunteers also see things with clients or participants that may not be right. They can pick up signals of domestic violence, neglect, or sexual abuse. Where can they go with these signals? This topic is part of the Reporting Code on Domestic Violence.

How can you improve social safety?

1. Awareness

The first step you need to take as a volunteer coordinator or as a board is to assess the risks of transgressive behavior. Be aware that volunteers hold a certain position of power over participants/clients. In what way are the participants or clients vulnerable? How can you protect them from unwanted behavior by volunteers?

2. Make it a topic of discussion

Discuss the risk situations with both groups (volunteers and participants/clients) and jointly establish what is and is not acceptable.

3. Hold each other accountable

Once it is clear what is and is not allowed, you can hold each other accountable. Volunteers can do this among themselves, but the volunteer coordinator especially has a role in this. Giving feedback is an important skill that you can practice during a workshop.

4. Discussion point during introductions

Give the topic of safety attention during an introductory meeting with a new volunteer. A mandatory Certificate of Good Conduct (VOG) can contribute to safety. The volunteer demonstrates that they have not been convicted of serious offenses, such as a sexual or violent crime. By requesting VOGs, you make the topic of safety open for discussion and you also signal that you take safe volunteering seriously. Requesting a VOG is often free of charge.

VCA helps

• Customized advice

Making your organization safe for your clients, participants, or minors requires a tailored approach. What are the signals that something may not be right? What can be done about it? How can you proceed? We are happy to provide you with customized advice. Contact Nettie Sterrenburg or Dasha van Amsterdam.

• Posters on transgressive behavior

A helpful tool for discussing boundaries are the seven posters that illustrate transgressive behavior by volunteers. Situations that may also occur in your organization. For example, a volunteer who accepts money for an extra job at an elderly woman’s home. Or a volunteer who borrows the car of the client they help. Or a volunteer who puts an arm around a child. The posters are intended to start the discussion. What is acceptable and what is not? View the posters and order them for free!

• Social Safety playing cards

A card game to have a conversation with volunteers: what is acceptable and what is not? There is a version for volunteers who work with children and one for those who work with adults. Download the manual and both games in the Toolkit for organizations.

• Documentary What You Don’t See

Another helpful tool is watching the documentary What You Don’t See (Wat je niet ziet). It is about transgressive behavior by volunteers toward vulnerable groups such as young people, people with disabilities, or the elderly. How does transgressive behavior arise, how can you recognize it, make it a topic of discussion, and how can you prevent it? The documentary is available on YouTube.

• Download flyers

We have created flyers for volunteers and participants with the key Code of Conduct for 1-on-1 contact and a Sample code of conduct, customizable for your own organization. You can find them in the Toolkit for organizations.

• Free workshops

VCA offers various free workshops on the topic of safety. They can also be given in-company.

Dealing with boundaries
A half-day workshop for organizations that work with vulnerable adults such as the elderly, people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or refugees.

Recognizing transgressive behavior
This workshop focuses on giving feedback when a volunteer crosses an organizational boundary. How do you approach this? How do you give feedback?

Becoming a confidential contact person
In this workshop you learn how to operate as a confidential contact person (VCP) within your organization. The VCP offers volunteers the opportunity to talk in confidence about transgressive behavior such as bullying, discrimination, or sexual harassment.

Want to sign up for upcoming workshops? Visit www.vcatraint.nu

More information?

Contact Nettie Sterrenburg or Dasha van Amsterdam.

Read more about

• Reporting code for volunteer organizations
• Children in safe hands
• Social map for signs of abuse
• Free VOG