Volunteer Policy
Volunteer Application
Thank you for your interest to volunteer with Geelong Foodshare. To complete an application, please read the following policies.
Once you have read and understood the policies, please register below.
Volunteer Policy
April 2025
I agree to the following Volunteer Policy:
1. INSURANCE
I acknowledge for insurance purposes; I am covered by the ‘Voluntary Workers Personal Accident’ Insurance in the case of accident or injury only whilst I am engaged in activities that are supervised or controlled by the Geelong Foodshare as varied from time to time. I agree to follow the OH&S guidelines as supplied by Geelong Foodshare I agree to follow directions given in relation to the safe performance of tasks and undertake to perform these tasks in a safe manner that does not endanger my safety or the safety of others by any act or omission. Where I am unsure of tasks to be performed or how those tasks are to be performed, I will seek clarification from a Geelong Foodshare staff member or nominated volunteer team leader. I agree to follow reasonable requests and directions given to perform the set tasks to the best of my ability and assist other volunteers with the tasks required.
2. CONFIDENTIALITY
I will respect and honour the confidentiality of Geelong Foodshare’s clients, partners, staff, Committee members, volunteers, donors and Geelong Foodshare’s policies & procedures. I agree to consider information pertaining to social connections, personal relationships, family situations and other facts of a highly personal nature as strictly confidential and must not be discussed neither internally nor externally at any time except as required by law.
3. SOCIAL MEDIA
Geelong Foodshare representatives will not publish disparaging, obscene, offensive, or inappropriate comments on any social media platform or in any other medium regarding Geelong Foodshare. Failure to adhere to Geelong Foodshare’s Volunteer Policy regarding the use of social media will be considered serious misconduct and representatives who engage in such conduct will be dismissed without notice.
4. TREATING OTHERS WITH RESPECT
I acknowledge that unacceptable behaviour includes but is not limited to aggression, bullying, harassment and violence. I will not practice or tolerate discrimination or harassment against any volunteer or service user on the ground of race, creed, colour, place of origin, ethnic origin, ancestry, citizenship, political or religious affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family relationship, economic status or disability. Any form of sexual harassment will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, insensitive jokes, lewd comments about appearance and unnecessary body contact. I will treat everyone with dignity, care and respect.
5. SMOKING/ALCOHOL/DRUGS
I understand that being under the influence of alcohol or drugs may interfere with our ability to deliver service. I therefore agree not to perform volunteer duties while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. I understand that Geelong Foodshare has policies that prohibit unauthorised distribution, possession or use of alcohol or controlled substance on Geelong Foodshare’s properties. I also respect Geelong Foodshare as a smoke-free workplace and will only smoke in the designated smoking zones while on site.
6. TRAINING AND CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT
I understand that in accepting a volunteer position with Geelong Foodshare, I am agreeing to undertake and complete the necessary training before and during my volunteer assignment as required by Geelong Foodshare. I value my own continuing development and understand that it is essential to improving work and safety procedures. I will do this by keeping up to date on new information and taking advantage of learning opportunities.
7. DONATED/ GOODS
Geelong Foodshare relies heavily on goodwill and donated goods. All donated goods are the property of Geelong Foodshare. Any goods taken without authorisation will be considered theft & disciplinary action will be taken. Geelong Foodshare expects all Committee members, staff and volunteers to act lawfully, honestly, ethically and with integrity always and in every aspect of their involvement with Geelong Foodshare. Employees and volunteers are accountable for their own actions in accordance with this policy and all other applicable laws and standards. I understand that failure to adhere to any parts of this Policy may affect the reputation of Geelong Foodshare and result in disciplinary action or dismissal from my volunteer relationship with Geelong Foodshare.
Volunteer Take Home Policy
April 2025
Geelong Foodshare currently has an amazing 180 strong volunteer workforce. Volunteers give up their time selflessly to support the community and create great impact. Our volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do and as you have often heard – we couldn’t do what we do without you. We are lucky, given what we do, to be able to offer a small token of appreciation by enabling volunteers to take home a few things at the end of their shift (shared amongst all volunteers)
We ask all volunteers to please adhere to this policy when taking home items.
- Purchased food and donated food (e.g. Misc items being sorted for agency distribution) are not to be taken. unless approved by Geelong Foodshare Management.
- All rescue items collected in our vans must come back to the warehouse (drivers should not be creating personal collections and taking bags of food directly out to cars)
- Staff and appointed volunteers are tasked to decide whether items will be distributed to those in need or put in the designated volunteer take home areas: - The designated areas are:
- The marked crates on the prep room bench,
- The signed top shelf in the prep room freezer,
- The marked shelf in the tearoom fridge and
- Freezer drawers in the tearoom fridge.
The maximum amount of items you should be taking home in 1 shift is
- 1 x supermarket size bag.
Please bring your own re-usable bag.
Some specific clarifications:
- Eggs – Eggs are not allowed to be taken home.
- Rescued Fruit & Veggies - Volunteers are welcome to take home a few of these items – this will form part of your 1 supermarket size bag.
- Bread – generally, a loaf of bread is available for volunteers to take home. If supplies look low, please ask a staff member before taking. This also forms part of your 1 bag.
- Routley’s – cakes and bread rolls come into the warehouse each day. Volunteers are welcome to take some bread rolls and a cake or two home. If there is something specific you would like, please ask the team packing these items. This also forms part of your 1 bag.
- Soft Drink & bottled water is available in the cool room for volunteers and staff to consume while on shift. Everyone is welcome to take a few home after their shift. (This must fit into your 1 bag).
- Flowers – volunteers are welcome to take home flowers and / or plants, which can be in addition to their 1 bag.
- On occasion the Geelong Foodshare management team may advise when there are other items that can be taken home.
On some rare occasions you may be allowed to take home things outside of this policy (but only when specifically authorised by a staff member)
If you need support with food items, please speak to the Management team for authorisation.
