BUDDY
Volunteer role description
This role description covers buddy volunteers across Girlguiding.
Who can do this role?
Buddies are volunteers that are 18 years old and over that are able to use their experience of
Girlguiding to welcome and support new volunteers. Buddies must have been members for at least six
months.
Do I need a qualification?
No, buddies do not require a qualification.
What is the purpose of this role?
To offer new volunteers a warm welcome to Girlguiding. To be a friendly face and to answer any
questions a new volunteer might have and to provide ongoing, informal support and guidance as
required.
How are buddies matched with new volunteers?
A buddy will be matched to the new volunteer by the local commissioner, who will aim to match two
people who are in the same or similar role. Commissioners can choose buddies based upon what support
may be most useful to the new volunteer, therefore buddies could be from the same or a different
unit and from the same or different section. If a new volunteer would like to choose their own buddy,
they can do so by requesting a specific buddy from their commissioner. The commissioner will look for
buddies demonstrating good guiding.
What will I do in the role?
zz Arrange an informal meeting with the new volunteer during their first two weeks to give them a
warm welcome to Girlguiding.
zz Support the new volunteer to learn about Girlguiding as an organisation as well as the local
structure.
zz Signpost the new volunteer to relevant local training opportunities and help them to register for
these.
zz Be approachable and offer regular communication with the new volunteer, sharing knowledge and
resources. This can be through a variety of channels, eg face to face, phone, email, Skype etc, with
the recommendation that you meet face to face at least once per month.
zz Offer the new volunteer support and guidance as needed, answer questions and signpost the new
volunteer to places where they can find more information, eg the official Girlguiding website and
other reliable sources of information.
zz Demonstrate good guiding and offer the volunteer to shadow a unit where appropriate
zz Demonstrate Girlguiding values (caring, challenging, empowering, fun, inspiring and inclusive) and
model behaviour in line with the Girlguiding code of conduct.
zz Motivate, support and encourage the new volunteer to try different activities and roles within
Girlguiding, eg encouraging them to complete their Leadership qualification or to visit another unit.
zz Buddy the new volunteer for at least three months, with regular contact. This can be decided
between the buddy and the new volunteer but could be meeting weekly for a coffee or having
regular phone calls or texts. You may decide to remain in touch after the initial three months, which
is also encouraged.
© Girlguiding 2017 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer role description
Buddy
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