NCJ Number
205811
Date Published
2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews the management of volunteer probation programs in Singapore.
Abstract
Probationary services that offer community-based rehabilitation programs only succeed if they have community support. In Singapore, the Community Probation Service (CPS) was introduced in 1971 to recruit volunteers who would complement the work of probation officers. Effectively managing volunteers in any industry is crucial to sustaining volunteerism. When volunteers are effectively managed, they will enhance the service provided to the public. Poorly managed volunteers may become disillusioned and ineffective. As such, it is important to appoint a Volunteer Coordinator who can recruit, organize, and manage volunteers. The qualities of a good Volunteer Coordinator include the ability to communicate well with others and to be creative in utilizing and motivating volunteers. The roles of the Volunteer Coordinator are enumerated and include the recruitment of volunteers, and the orientation, training, and supervision of volunteers. A good volunteer management system is also important to the success of a volunteer program. A good volunteer management system involves the development of an organizational philosophy toward volunteers and the creation of guidelines concerning the roles and responsibilities of volunteers. Recruitment and deployment of volunteers should be made with consideration of the abilities of volunteers; assignments should not be handed out haphazardly. Strong orientation, training, and development programs are also key ingredients to a successful volunteer program. Guidance and supervision are important as volunteers will need guidance to reach objectives. Regular evaluations of volunteers should consider the volunteers’ long-term contributions to projects and should affirm the volunteers’ dedication while gently offering discipline and support to volunteers who need more guidance. Motivating volunteers and recognizing their contributions provides the needed feedback for volunteers to continue offering their time and talents. Tips are offered for terminating the services of volunteers and the importance of training for Volunteer Coordinators is underscored. The author notes that this paper should be read in conjunction with another paper on the community rehabilitation of offenders in Singapore (see NCJ-205810 for related paper).