1 Leader Charter
Main Objective of Knockadoon Camp
1.1
The fundamental purpose or mission for the existence of Knockadoon Camp is first and
foremost a place for people to learn, to growing their faith and human development, this
being done in the setting of a residential atmosphere where they will feel secure and safe.
It was hoped that the young people who form the community of Knockadoon Camp will gain
a renewed and healthy view of themselves and other people, the need for co-operation and
compromise, and ultimately the importance of every individual whoever they may be and
wherever they may be from, the development of mutual respect and understanding and to
develop their own spiritual tradition.
Whereas it is the hope of all involved in the management and running of the camp that
everyone staying in Knockadoon camp experiences the camp as such place, the main
beneficiaries must be the campers.
1.1.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THIS POLICY
The aim of the Leader Charter is:
• To inform all parties involved in the operation of Knockadoon Camp about the rights
and responsibilities of leaders;
• To provide information to leaders about their rights;
• To inform parties about aspects of volunteer leadership in Knockadoon.
1.1.2 KNOCKADOON CAMP STATEMENT ON VOLUNTEERING
Knockadoon is adopting the Leader Charter, to acknowledge that young people have a right
to be active citizens. It is also shows that Knockadoon is committed to involving young
people in decision-making in appropriate areas of work such as relevant policy
development, youth related programmes, activities and services. The Leader Charter
outlines the values and principles which are fundamental to both Knockadoon Camp and the
young people who are Knockadoon volunteer leaders.
What is Volunteering in Knockadoon Camp
1.2
The opportunity to be a leader in Knockadoon can be a rewarding time. It demonstrates
confidence in the young person, by the leader team, that he/she can complete the duties of
a leader in Knockadoon. There are a number of benefits in becoming a leader;
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GET RESULTS - Volunteering can make a real difference to the lives of the members,
leaders, Dominicans, the community and the environment. As a Knockadoon
volunteer leader, you will get immense satisfaction at seeing the results of your hard
work.
MEET NEW FRIENDS - Getting involved with volunteering will allow you to meet lots
of different kinds of people and make new friends.
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TAKE ON A CHALLENGE - Getting involved in something new can be a real challenge.
Volunteering can help you achieve personal goals, develop new skills and show your
talents.
ENJOYING YOURSELF - Most volunteers really enjoy what they do and keep doing it.
IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH - Volunteering exercises both the mind and the body.
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS - If you are thinking about your career, getting a job or
returning to work, the experience you gain as a volunteer can be useful. Provides
opportunities for young people to learn and practice the skills needed in different
professional roles such as negotiating, planning, reporting, communication etc.
CONFIDENCE - Promotes confidence and self-esteem in young people.
BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER - Volunteering can allow you to play your part connecting you to your local community. Providing a safe environment for young
people to learn about responsibility and how to deal with responsibility.
RESPONSIBILITY - Offers young people the chance to develop important decisionmaking and problem solving skills. Provides opportunities for adults to show that
they respect young people’s views.
COMMITEMENT - Young people are more likely to make a commitment to a
programme and/or policy when they have been involved from the outset in the
programme’s design and implementation plan.
Being a volunteer leader in Knockadoon holds a certain level of responsibility on the person
themselves to complete his/her responsibly. The following are a list of things that do not
demonstrate good leadership;
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1.3
Taking advantage of the responsibility you have been given;
Conducting any action that contradicts the values of Knockadoon Camp;
Using the camp as a vehicle for your own personal gain;
Diminishing the experience of the camp for other;
Strictly reserved for a select group of people. Any camper in Knockadoon has the
potential to become a leader;
Underestimating young people’s capabilities and levels of interest.
Roles and Responsibilities
Both Knockadoon and the volunteer leader have a duty to provide a safe and enjoyable
environment for all participants of the camp to grow in the values of Knockadoon, set out in
its main objective. Both the volunteers and the camp have rights and responsibilities:
1.3.1
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VOLUNTEER’S RIGHTS
To be given meaningful work to do
To know what is expected from them
To be offered appropriate training
To be thanked and to have their voluntary contribution recognised
To receive supervision and support
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To get something out of the work for themselves
To know who to go to if there is a problem
To be reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred when volunteering
To make mistakes and learn from them
To be made aware of any disciplinary and grievance procedures
To be treated fairly and not to experience discrimination
To have safe working conditions, including insurance cover
To be informed about, and given the opportunity to play an active part in the
organisation as a whole
1.3.2
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VOLUNTEER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
To respect the values and aims of the organisation
To be committed
To be reliable and give the organisation sufficient warning if unable to turn up
To be punctual
To attend essential training and support sessions
To undertake the work to a high standard
To be honest if there are problems
To respect confidentiality
To leave when asked and/or when no longer enjoying the volunteering experience
1.3.3
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KNOCKADOON CAMP RIGHTS
To look for certain qualities and skills in volunteers
To draw up a volunteer agreement or 'contract'
To ask for tasks to be done in a particular way
To ask for commitment
To ask for reliability
To ask for punctuality
To deal with disciplinary and grievance matters
To ask volunteers to leave if their involvement hinders the organisation achieving its
goals
1.3.4
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KNOCKADOON CAMP RESPONSIBILITIES
To ensure the volunteering experience is a rewarding one
To ensure equal access and not to discriminate
To define clear, meaningful roles for volunteers
To have policies and procedures for volunteers
To provide all necessary information to volunteers
To be available for volunteers
To provide training where necessary
To thank and value volunteers
To provide insurance cover
To inform volunteers of any legal liabilities
To supervise and to provide support
To reimburse out-of-pocket expenses
To provide a safe working environment