Building a Competency Framework for Health Volunteer Managers
Should the same level of governance that’s applied to staff in a health service – or any setting, for that matter – be applied to volunteers? Kerryn Mitchell of the Leaders of Health Volunteer Engagement (LOHVE) Network set out to answer this question shortly after she helped establish LOHVE in 2011. The LOHVE Network, which now includes some 170 volunteer engagement professionals from across Australia, New Zealand and the USA, has always been committed to the professionalization of volunteer leadership in healthcare settings. In this Engage feature, Mitchell explains why she now thinks the same level of governance should definitely be applied to staff and volunteers alike. And she describes how she built a competency framework for health volunteer managers working across health care settings in Victoria, Australia.
Paul Falkowski/VolunCheerLeader/Philadelphia
Fri, 02/11/2022This is great! I'd like to see something similar for the nursing homes in the U.S. Right now, everything is piecemeal. Some communities are doing really well because they have the resources to hire a CVA while others, particularly in rural areas are small and do not have the resources or expertise. I've pulled a group of like-minded people who share a vision for creating a resource that would be available to everyone. We're just starting so reading this article has been a great help and inspiration.
Kerryn Mitchell, Northeast Health Wangaratta/Australia
Tue, 02/15/2022Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for your feedback, it has been an absolute passion on mine and the LOHVE network to make this happen. If you have that likeminded group around you it is very possible. If you want to talk through any element of this process, feel free to reach out I would welcome the opportunity to share whatever wisdom I've gained with you.
Kerryn
Sue Norman VolunteerManager Catholic Healthcare Sydney Australia
Tue, 02/15/2022Loved reading this and interested in how to become part of the LOHVE Network
Sue
Tracey O'Neill, CVA | Brotherhood of St. Laurence | Melb, Aus
Tue, 02/15/2022Hooray! What an achievement. I am so proud to have worked alongside you, Sharon, Rachel and the team on this. It deserves to be shared widely, and to be replicated. LOHVE have proven to be such an important group leading exceptional volunteer engagement practices. I know this will shine more of a spotlight on the awesomeness that is every member of LOHVE. Congratulations Kerryn. Thank you for your vision and pursuit of this - it wouldn't have happened with you. And I can't wait to see what this work inspires across the world.
Genevieve Kayembe/ Waitematā DHB/ Auckland, New Zealand
Sun, 02/27/2022Hi Kerryn,
This report is fantastic. Thank you for providing us , Volunteer Leaders, with this much needed evidence base arguments. The findings of the study about the impact of COVID-19 on volunteering and what Volunteer Leaders in health settings have disclosed show a lot of similarities with what we have experienced here in Auckland. Thank you also for outlining the complexity of leading a volunteer programme within the Health system. Indeed, it has got other challenges
Would you please let me know how I can join LOHVE network