VOLUNTEER POLICY FOR SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVE

1. Definition
   A Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (SBWR) Volunteer is one who works to help achieve the objectives of our wetland reserve for no financial reward.
   
   
2. Vision
   Volunteers are vital to us. Volunteers can instill awareness, promote responsibility and care for our natural heritage. With their assistance, we can intensify and extend the range of educational programmes to the public, which are not possible with the existing staff strength.
   
   We envisage a future in which SBWR enjoys on-going support and commitment of the community through volunteers who actively contribute to the objectives of the wetland reserve.
   
   
3. Objective
   The Volunteer Programme offers the community an opportunity:
   
   • To take an active role in supporting and promoting the care for Singapore’s natural heritage through our programmes.
   • To create an awareness and appreciation for the richness of life found in SBWR among the community with volunteer’s assistance.
   • To engage volunteers to play an informal and advisory role to promote responsibility for protecting our natural heritage and proper usage of SBWR.
   
   
4. Requirement
   The volunteer must:
   
   • Be committed and enthusiastic.
   • Have a keen interest in the natural environment.
   • Believe in the importance of nature conservation and enjoy sharing his/ her knowledge with others.
   • Enjoy working in the outdoors.
   
   Prior experience and specialised knowledge are not required, as basic training will be provided.
   
   
5. Involvement
   Volunteers will be involved and trained in areas including: education, visitor services, conservation works and scientific studies/research.
   
   The more enthusiastic and longer serving volunteers could stay on to form the core group of volunteers. These core volunteers could help conduct training courses for the newer volunteers.
   
   For the safety of the volunteers, the management of SBWR has the right to disqualify a volunteer from any activity if it thinks he/she is incapable of continuing without jeopardizing his/her own or other volunteers’ health, well being or safety.
   
   
6. Commitment
   Each term of service will last for a year and volunteers are required to volunteer for at least 4 sessions within the year. Volunteers can be excused for a maximum of a term; however, a valid reason must be provided.
   
   
7. Discipline
   Volunteers are obliged to observe a code of conduct:
   
   • Be punctual and responsible. Notify the coordinator as early as possible if you are unable to turn up for your duties.
   • To sign in and out in the Volunteer Attendance Book and to inform the staff of their attendance before the commencement of their duties, if they are leaving early, and before the end of their duties.
   • Be courteous towards visitors.
   • Work in harmony with staff and fellow volunteers. The volunteer programme can only succeed with cooperative team effort. Volunteers must respect and accommodate the views of others.
   • Lead by example by observing the rules and regulations.
   • Be properly attired in the Volunteer Shirt and put on their Volunteer Pass while on duty.
   • Volunteers are not to represent the SBWR and National Parks Board to the media or elsewhere, based on their volunteer status unless approval has been given.
   
   
   
8. Training
   Several training programmes are identified:
   
   a) General Orientation
   Potential Volunteers are invited to attend a half-day volunteer orientation session to get an overview of SBWR and its volunteer programme.
   
   b) Core Training
   
   Potential Volunteers are required to attend the following (i & ii):
   
   i) Tag-along Training
   
   • 2 tag-along training sessions- following an experienced guide.
   • 1 semi guide session – assist experienced guide during guided walk.
   • 2 full guide sessions – lead a group, with an experienced guide present to assist.
   
   ii) 3 Formal Training sessions. They are required to undertake an agreement to show their commitment at the Reserve.
   
   On completion of i) and ii) above, they will be confirmed as a SBWR Volunteer, be eligible for the benefits under point 11. They will then conduct volunteer work sessions independently.
   
   Admission charges will be waived for training and volunteer work sessions.
   
   c) Staff Support
   
   Staff will support volunteer by providing the information and resources necessary to perform the assigned area of service.
   
   
9. Appointment
   a) Issue of Volunteer Pass
   
   A volunteer pass will be issued after the volunteer has attended the training programme and embarked on his/her service. The volunteer pass is valid for a year and renewal of the pass is subjected to the level of involvement in the SBWR’s activities and observation of the code of conduct.
   
   b) Evaluation / Renewal
   
   At the end of each term, volunteers will be asked to complete an evaluation form to feedback on the volunteer programme. Volunteers will also be given an option to either continue or discontinue their services.
   
   c) Termination / Volunteer Resignation
   
   The management of SBWR reserves the right to terminate the service of a volunteer who fails to meet the basic standards of professionalism or who do not comply with the volunteer’s code of conduct.
   
   In the event that a volunteer is terminated or decides to discontinue his/her services, the volunteer pass must be returned to the SBWR.
   
   
10. Declaration and Indemnity
    Volunteers are to be fully aware of the dangers and risks that might occur in the voluntary services and activities and will not in anyway hold the Government or the management of SBWR and National Parks Board responsible for any liability, loss, damage, expense and cost, which the volunteers may sustain, incur or receive as a result of such services and activities.
    
    
11. Welfare
    
    • Volunteer Polo-shirt Volunteer Polo-shirt will be given to regular volunteers.
    • Volunteer Allowance Each confirmed volunteer will be paid an allowance of $10.00 per session to help cover expenditure for transport and meals.
    • Transportation Transportation may be provided from Kranji MRT Station to the reserve and vice versa.
    • Free Newsletter Each volunteer is entitled to a copy of the reserve’s newsletter “Wetlands”.
    • Events Volunteers will be invited to the reserve’s official events as a recognition of their contribution to the reserve.
    • Recognition Event Certificates will be awarded yearly to recognise volunteer contributions. The certificates will be presented officially at the “Volunteer Recognition Event”.
    • Free Admission Volunteer Passes will be issued to confirmed volunteers for free entries to the reserve. Volunteers who fulfill 4 volunteering sessions each year will be entitled to 5 free entry passes which they can bring their family and friends to the reserve.