The Better Life Foundation
You Can Make A Difference
How To Volunteer

The Better Life Foundation uses guidelines for volunteers accepted as "best practices" provided by

Volunteering Australia,
The Fund Raising Institute of Australia, and
AusAid

The first step towards volunteering time and effort with The Better Life Foundation is to examine the websites listed above. We use them as reference sites and work within their codes of conduct.

Next, consider your motives for volunteering.

  • What do you aim to gain from the experience?
  • Do you have a clear idea of the reasons for your effort?
  • What is your purpose in volunteering?
  • Do you have the resources to make the contribution you are thinking about? (Courage, strength of character and mental toughness)
  • Are you capable of handling your emotional state in difficult circumstances?
  • Do you have the ability to persuade, motivate and inspire?
  • Are you self-reliant?
  • Do you have a hidden agenda?
  • Will you confront dishonesty, cheating and/or corruption?
  • Can you respect local customs and traditions when they do not align with your own beliefs?
  • Do you have the financial capacity to be away for the period you envisage?

Third, it would be wise to familiarise yourself with our aims, goals, methods, values and intent in order to ensure that they align with yours. It can be a devastating experience to discover that we are on separate paths with no ill intent from either party.

Fourth, check that you are completely satisfied that:

  • The Better Life Foundation has raised money in an ethical manner
  • The Better Life Foundation has kept it’s operation transparent, and
  • You fully understand the reasoning behind its operations.

Only then should you examine the projects being undertaken by The Better Life Foundation to ascertain which correlate with your available time, skill set and The Better Life Foundation's needs.

Once you have ascertained that there is a 'match' between the needs of one of The Better Life Foundation’s projects and your skill set, availability and resources, contact Andrew Carter, Emma Blackburn or Julie Blackburn.

They will then:

  • Discuss the project and your possible role within it in more detail
  • Outline the training you will need to undertake, including likely time considerations
  • Ascertain your general suitability for the project and
  • Email you an application form

As a volunteer you can expect The Better Life Foundation to strive to maintain the highest standards with regard to your rights:

  • To work in a healthy and safe environment
  • To equal opportunity
  • To be adequately covered by insurance
  • To be given accurate and truthful information about the organisation
  • Not to fill a position previously held by a paid worker
  • To have a job description and agreed working hours
  • To have access to a grievance procedure
  • To have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988, and
  • To be provided with sufficient training to do your job.
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