Information for volunteers

What is iVolunteer
iVolunteer is an initiative of MITRA that is working to create a volunteering movement in India. iVolunteer sees its role as that of a catalyst, which will create happy volunteering experiences for both volunteers and non-profits and these happy experiences will help create volunteering movement in India. In order to create these happy experiences iVolunteer is working through its Volunteer Centres and Non-profit partners to a create a volunteering infrastructure that will reduce the time and cost of recruiting volunteers and there by making it easier volunteers to make a difference in their local community.

Why Volunteer?

If you are coming over to help me, don't bother. But if you are coming because you believe your liberation is tied to mine, then please join me.
-An Aborigine Woman

There are two major benefits of volunteering:
First, volunteering makes an important economic contribution to society. Activities undertaken by volunteers would otherwise have to be funded by the state or by private capital. Volunteering adds to the overall economic output of a country and reduces the burden on government spending.

Second, and perhaps more important, volunteering helps in the building of strong and cohesive communities. It fosters trust between citizens and helps develop norms of solidarity and reciprocity, which are essential to stable communities. Moreover, by helping to build this "social capital", volunteering also plays a role in economic regeneration.

Many people volunteer because they want to give back to society, often helping out with causes they believe in. Voluntary work can give people the chance to travel, meet new people, and acquire life and career-enhancing experiences and skills.

Definitions & Principles of Volunteering
iVolunteer Definition of Formal Volunteering

Formal volunteering is an activity, which takes place in not-for-profit organisations or projects and is undertaken:
	To be of benefit to the community, on-profit and the volunteer;
	Of the volunteer's own free will and without coercion;
	For no financial payment;
	In designated volunteer positions only.

iVolunteer Code of Conduct for Volunteering
	Volunteering benefits the community, on-profit and the volunteer
	Volunteer work is unpaid and is done without expecting financial rewards in return
	Volunteering is always a matter of choice
	Volunteering is a legitimate way in which citizens can participate in the activities of their community
	Volunteering is a vehicle for individuals or groups to address human, environmental and social needs
	Volunteering is not a substitute for paid work
	Volunteers do not replace paid workers nor constitute a threat to the job security of paid workers
	Volunteering respects the rights, dignity and culture of others.
	Volunteering promotes human rights and equality.

Volunteer Do's and Don'ts

Some Important Dos and Don'ts of Volunteering
	The volunteer should be responsible and honest with the organisation s/he is volunteering with
	S/he should be responsible enough to accept assignment of her/his choice with only as much responsibility as s/he can handle and to understand commitments of time and tasks and to fulfill them
	S/he should follow organizational guidelines for codes of conduct, decorum etc.
	S/he should decline specific work not acceptable to her/him and s/he should notify the organisation as soon as possible so that it can find a substitute
	S/he should provide honest feedback and suggestions whenever asked to do so
	S/he should consider herself/himself as part of the organisation and not as an outside

Interested in volunteering overseas?
iVolunteer offers opportunities for Indian's to volunteer in other developing countries of Asia and Africa. iVolunteer has partnered with VSO to initiate a program called iVolunteer Overseas Program which recruits Indian volunteers for other developing countries of Asia and Africa.

Click here to know more about the iVolunteer Overseas program

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