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Volunteer centre manager: Lizzie Saunders

This Case Study belongs to Volunteer work organiser.

Lizzie is the volunteer centre manager at Ealing Council for Voluntary Service (CVS). Lizzie has a Masters in voluntary action management.

As a volunteer centre manager, the aim of my role is to promote, support and develop volunteering in Ealing; to raise the profile of volunteering and the work of the volunteer centre to all sections of the community, and encourage their involvement in local voluntary activity; to ensure the resources of the volunteer centre are effectively managed so that it can develop and grow in line with its objectives; and to work with the chief executive to achieve the organisation’s business objectives. I am responsible for the implementation and annual review of the volunteer centre’s action plan in line with the organisation’s overall strategic priorities and business plan; and work towards the implementation of quality standards in line with Volunteering England’s quality assurance and membership requirements.

A strategic role, I manage budgets for the volunteer centre, and ensure the maintenance and development of the it’s administration and IT systems. I coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of the volunteer centre’s work, and produce regular reports for funders and the board of trustees. I develop and take forward a marketing and promotions strategy for the centre in line with organisational objectives; and promote the centre’s work both within the borough and to the wider community, including managing and implementing both borough-wide and localised volunteering initiatives, such as an annual Volunteers Fair and other high profile events.

I develop and maintain links with agencies in the voluntary, private and public sectors to raise awareness, promote volunteering and develop new initiatives. I manage staff and volunteers, including recruitment, training, supervision, appraisals and guidance. I have corporate responsibilities, including working with senior managers, the chief executive and trustees to develop fundraising strategies and identify funding opportunities, and ensure equal opportunities and other organisational policies are actively implemented in all areas of the Volunteer Centre’s work.

I have been in post for seven years, and what I particularly enjoy about my job is managing events and generating opportunities, along with supporting volunteers with additional support needs. What I enjoy least is working with statutory authorities. My career aim is to leave a good legacy of well-managed, adequately resourced and recognised volunteering programmes that are sustained within the borough to support the work of voluntary sector organisations; and to implement a succession plan.

Case Study sourced by Andrea Rannard of AGCAS, 08 June 2009.