Team Survivor
Northwest’s
Volunteer Handbook
Vision: Team Survivor Northwest provides guidance and encouragement to every woman cancer survivor so that through her accomplishments she is empowered to lead a fuller, more physically active life.
Mission: to provide a broad range of fitness and health education programs to enable women cancer survivors, in any stage of treatment or recovery and at any fitness level, to take an active role in their ongoing physical and emotional healing.
Guiding Principles:
Our guiding principles include empathy, teaching, cultivating, encouraging and nurturing.
· Inclusion –We serve all women, without regard torace, age, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, physical or mental disability, or religion,with any type of cancer diagnosis, at any fitness and skill level.
· Quality – Our programs are developed and managed by a certified cancer fitness specialist. All our instructors are experienced trainers with understanding of cancer specific needs. Program delivery is mindful of the physical and emotional sensitivities surrounding cancer.
· Access – Our programs are free of charge to TSNW Members. Programs are offered in various locations within the Puget Sound Region.
· Education – We continually share with our community, through a variety of methods, important and emerging information related to cancer survivorship.
Volunteer Philosophy statement
As a Team Survivor Northwest volunteer, you are a critical part of the organization. Volunteers help facilitate our mission to provide guidance and encouragement to every woman cancer survivor in the most important way: through face-to-face interaction. It is through this personal connection that we are able to gain new members and spread our mission to those women most in need of our services. Some of the important work you will engage in includes leading committees for fundraising events, staffing tables at local fairs and festivals, assisting at the office, as well as day-of event help. In these key roles you act as ambassadors for Team Survivor Northwest.
Policy and Guidelines for Volunteers:
As a volunteer you are a valued and integral part of our organization. TSNW programs and events would not happen without you. Often times volunteers are the first representatives of Team Survivor Northwest that prospective members come in contact with, so in many ways you are the face of our organization. We treat our volunteers with the respect and professionalism accorded to such a position, and expect the same in return. If you commit to an activity and a time we expect you to honor that commitment. In the event that you cannot make it we ask that you give us enough advance notice to find someone else.
In the same respect we understand that your time is precious, and would not have you volunteer with us to spend yours doing nothing. Every task we assign to a volunteer, great or small, is crucial to keep our organization functioning smoothly, and thus to keep our services available to the women who need them.
Because we operate with a small, part-time staff, we have a need for assistance in all aspects of our organization. There is something for every skill set. So please be honest about what you can and cannot do. If you say you can make it rain, you might be called on to do so! As an ambassador of TSNW we are counting on you to represent the organization with suitable behavior, language, and attire appropriate for a professional organization.
Supervision
All volunteers are supervised by a staff supervisor, or by a volunteer coordinator, who answers to the supervisor. Volunteer coordinators will vary depending on the assignment. All volunteers will go through the same orientation process, but may receive different training, as training is based on the type of volunteering they will be doing. All volunteers will be added to our volunteer email list. They will also be given the phone number of the supervisor, but for most events volunteers will answer to the assigned coordinator for each event, and all questions and concerns should be referred to the volunteer coordinator.
Orientation
Volunteer orientation will consist of meeting with the supervisor/staff member for an in-person introduction, filling out the volunteer survey, and signing the last page of this handbook stating that you have read the handbook in full, and understand and agree to Team Survivor Northwest’s terms. Orientation for volunteers will also include history of the organization, structure of the organization, various staff roles, programs, and annual calendar.
Medical advice
Team Survivor Northwest does not give medical advice. If members ask volunteers for medical advice or opinions, volunteers should always refer members to their physicians for this type of information. Even if volunteers have professional backgrounds or expertise in certain medical conditions or treatment modalities it is important to follow this guideline under all circumstances.
Safety
Safety guidelines and emergency procedures are provided for each program. Program coordinators will offer specific orientation and training before volunteers participate in events. To ensure the safety and health of all participants, members and volunteers alike, TSNW prohibits the use of alcohol, tobacco, or controlled substances during any of its’ programs or activities.
CPR training
Some volunteers will be required to have CPR certification. CPR training is held at numerous locations in the Puget Sound area.
Dress Code
Volunteers need to dress appropriately for the program or activity they are supporting. Please check with the Program Coordinator for specific guidelines on this subject.
Attendance
Your participation is important in our being able to provide safe quality programs for our members. Please notify the Program Coordinator or the supervisor at least 24 hours in advance if you are unable to make your volunteer commitment.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of members and/or participants is taken very seriously. Please keep this in mind when you are having conversations with our members, and if necessary, seek guidance from the program coordinator if you are unsure.
Inclusiveness, Encouragement and Support
TSNW programs are non-competitive. Members should always be encouraged and supported to participate at their own fitness level.
Suggestions and Feedback
Team Survivor Northwest encourages all volunteers to bring forward any suggestions and feedback that might improve Team Survivor Northwest’s programs and volunteer experience.
Contact information -
Team Survivor Northwest
200 NE Pacific Street, Suite 101
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone (206) 732-8350
Program Manager – Jamaica Baldwin
Operations Manager – Siobhan Stanton
Board –
Volunteer Opportunities
Office volunteers - General office assistance; includes updating the database, assisting with event support. Volunteers will be trained by the office staff. Experience with Microsoft programs and office suite necessary. Excel, Access, MailChimp helpful but not necessary.
Board Members - Our board members are volunteers too. Add your leadership, financial or strategic skills to Team Survivor. Contact the board to be considered.
Committee members - Plan and execute an event such as our Gala or Walk with Friends. Committee participation requires excellent organizational and communication skills and 3-6 month commitment.
Program volunteers - (throughout the year) supporting TSNW programs. A variety of skills are needed, including athletes familiar with specific programs (example bikers, swimmers, runners)
Special skills volunteers- Use your professional skills to help us with outreach, IT, event coordination or grant writing.
Programs volunteer opportunities
Some of the programs below, including midweek hiking and Nordic walking are led by member volunteers, while the other programs are led by paid coaches.
Midweek Hiking
Dragon Boat Practice
Active Women Health Women
Run Walk training
Triathlon training
Nordic Walking
Event volunteer opportunities
Snow Shoe Trip – Early March
Walk With Friends 5k Planning and Day-of 4/26/15
Seattle Dragon Boat Festival Day-of Support 7/25/15
Women of Wonder Run/Walk Day-of Support 9/13/15
Triathlon Training Support and Day-of Support 8/23/15
Annual Gala and Auction Planning and Day-of Support 10/24/15
Annual Fitness Retreat Planning and Day-of Support 1/29/16 – 1/31/15
By signing below I agree that I have read the Team Survivor Northwest Handbook, and will abide by the policies and procedures for volunteering.
Print Name ______
Sign Name ______Date ______
Contact Information:
Email ______
Phone ______
Emergency Contact Name ______Phone ______
200 NE Pacific Street, Suite 101, Seattle, Washington 98105 t 206.732.8350 f 206.732.0263
www.teamsurvivornw.org