financial specialist
Footprint Volunteer Uganda October 18, 2021 No Comments

Volunteering as a financial specialist

In Matthew 5:16 it says “in the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.” A financial specialist refers to a person responsible for the financial management in the organization, or business. There is a lot in volunteering as a financial specialist in a Non-governmental organization you are to focus on promoting collaborative processes, client-focused, quality, and results-oriented approaches in an organization where he or she is volunteering. Volunteers will give advice and support the projects in an organization.

The people who volunteer as financial specialists have to have some qualifications. People who take up this program have a degree in finance, accounting, economics, finance, and public administration.

The financial specialist will do the activities below when you choose to volunteer.

Volunteering as a financial specialist you are to manage projects of the organization through financial analysis. And oversight of all the resources used on the project. This is to ensure proper managing and monitoring of resources in an organization.

The financial specialist will carry out proper planning, tracking expenditure of financial resources basing on the rules and regulations of an organization. This is to help the organization spend on the required activities to ensure growth and development in organization.

The volunteer will track and report to the management on the key financial performance indicators in an organization. This will help managers know where they have reached the set goals.

The volunteer will also set up or establish financial procedures in place. For example receipts, payments, disbursements and bookkeeping, filing procedures for the project. This helps one to keep track of how much was spent on what project and how the money was managed.

Volunteering as a financial specialist you are to ensure that all the financial procedures are in place. And comply with the financial or accounting and procurement requirements of the organization. This helps to create a connection between the financial procedures used in an organization.

The volunteer will continuously analyze and monitor the forecast presentation for projects and also the financial situation in an organization. In addition, the volunteer will also oversee the transparency of the financial processes and find out how the use of funds and the compliance with the organization’s financial guidelines.

The volunteer will carry out routine monitoring of the financial exception reports for unusual activities, transitions. Also, the volunteer will inform supervisors of the results got from the investigation with satisfactory answers obtained.

The volunteer will manage all financial resources through preparing and monitoring project budgets develop proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in budget management. In addition, the volunteer should ensure that the payment information is recorded properly into the system timely.

The volunteer has to ensure proper project cash management and focusing on achieving timely review of cash position for projects and preparation of monthly cash flow to ensure that sufficient funds are provided.

The financial specialist has to ensure the capacity development of the organization. That’s to say advising and assisting with proper financial management, training of staff members on financial management, and implementation in projects.  The volunteer will also help in reviewing submitted financial documents and provide feedback before processing payments.

To sum it up, volunteering as a financial specialist in any organization is of a good advantage as you can learn new skills; it helps you grow a career, helps in networking as you can grow personal and professional relationships. It also helps a volunteer to gain experience in any career as you can further your knowledge and experience. So come find a volunteer program that you would love with volunteering in Uganda.

volunteer-in-africa
Webmasters May 26, 2021 No Comments

RESEARCH ON VOLUNTEERISM AND ITS CONSQUENCES

Volunteerism is a form of helping in which people actively seek out opportunities. To assist others in need, make considerable and continuing commitments to assist. And sustain these commitments over extended periods, often at considerable personal cost. Several features mark it as a distinctive form of helping. Unlike the helping that occurs spontaneously in response to emergencies, volunteers typically seek out opportunities to help. Unlike the obligated helping that occurs in the context of ongoing relationships. Volunteers typically do not know those they help in advance and have no prior bonds of obligation to help them.

To understand the psychology of volunteerism, researchers have identified diverse personal and social motivations served by volunteering. Have developed inventories to assess these motivations, and explored their role in the processes. By which people initiate and sustain their involvement in voluntary helping. Theoretically, the study of volunteerism is informative about forms of helping that are playful, sustained. And that occurs in the absence of bonds of obligation. Practically, it can inform the practice of volunteerism. Specifically, the ways that organizations can enhance the recruitment, placement, and retention of volunteers.

CONSEQUENCES OF VOLUNTEERISM

Research on the consequences of volunteerism has considered its effects on the volunteers themselves. The recipients of volunteer services, and the wider community. Snyder and Omoto (2008) review outcomes that include changes in attitudes and knowledge. Improved health and subjective well-being, changes in behavior, and the establishment of community bonds. For example, studies of volunteers who work with people living with HIV/AIDS have revealed that such volunteerism leads to increases in knowledge of safer sex practices, reductions in stereotypical beliefs about individuals with HIV/AIDS, and increases in comfort in discussing issues relevant to

HIV/AIDS. Studies of consequences in other volunteer domains have found increases in volunteer self-esteem, self-efficacy and confidence, and even improved academic achievement. In addition, volunteering has been linked to positive health outcomes for volunteers, including increased optimism and longer life, and has been linked to higher subjective well-being for those volunteers who have experienced past traumatic life events. Research on volunteerism

As reviewed by Snyder and Omoto (2008),

the benefits of volunteering extend to the actual recipients of volunteer service. And to the organizations through which volunteers serve. For example, individuals living with HIV/AIDS who have a volunteer providing companionship. And home help has been shown to have better psychological functioning as compared to those without a volunteer companion. However, more research needs to be conducted on the impact of volunteer help on aid recipients, to determine. For example, whether receiving volunteer assistance might be threatening to recipients’ self-esteem or self-efficacy. More research is also needed on the positive impacts of volunteerism on service organizations. To build upon the aforementioned economic benefits to organizations and the growth of social capital.

The building of community bonds and social networks occurs for volunteers, help recipients. And a member of the organizations through which volunteers serve (Omoto and Snyder, 2010). These community bonds have been linked to not only volunteer behavior maintenance but also the willingness of community members. To engage in other efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for the community. Including the amount of money donated in support of causes, attending fund-raisers, and engaging in civic and political activism. In addition, these social networks increase the overall effectiveness of volunteers. As well as serve as means to recruit future volunteers.

Thus, psychological research on the consequences of volunteerism has documented benefits for individual volunteers. The recipients of volunteer services, the organizations through which volunteers serve, and the wider community. For volunteers and recipients, these include health and psychological benefits, as well as increased social capital. For organizations and communities, the benefits include the improved capability to address problems. And the ability to keep volunteers involved for longer periods.

 

 

Volunteers
Webmasters April 20, 2021 5 Comments

EXPECTATIONS OF ALL VOLUNTEERS

TEN BASIC EXPECTATIONS THAT ALL VOLUNTEERS HAVE WHEN THEY GIVE THEIR TIME TO AN ORGANISATION, AND THAT THE ORGANISATION SHOULD BE ABLE TO MEET

 

                                                                      EXPECTATIONS

  1. Volunteers should not be expected to undertake tasks that they are uncomfortable with, or are physically incapable of performing to an adequate standard.
  2. Volunteers should be given tasks that match their personal goals, skills, and motivation as far as is possible within the organization.
  3. They should be recruited only where all staff agrees to the arrangement and welcome.
  4. volunteers – paid staff need to have a clear understanding of the role of the volunteer.
  5. Volunteers should never be used to perform tasks that are or have previously been done by paid workers.
  6. They should not be charged anything to give their time, except for traveling and accommodation expenses, and in cases where the project requires a once-off volunteering fee.
  7. Volunteer organizations should be committed to operating an equal opportunities policy, and work within it about their volunteers.
  8. Volunteers should understand the lines of supervision by the staff at the organization. Formal supervision should exist and this should provide volunteers with the opportunity to develop their skills.
  9. Volunteers who are not accepted when applying to an organization have a right to know the reasons why.
  10. They should receive other support and training if necessary.
  11. Volunteers should rely on organizations for ensuring that all health and safety procedures are in place at the project.

Expectations of an organization from volunteers

  1. They should rely on organizations for ensuring that all health and safety procedures are in place at the project.
  2. Volunteers should be reliable, and if they commit to performing certain tasks at certain times, they should be expected to meet this commitment. Volunteers need time off work just like paid employees, but it’s fair to expect them to give some notice if the time off doesn’t fall over an agreed-upon rest period, like a weekend.
  3. They must always work within the aims, objectives, and ethos of the organization.
  4. Volunteers encountering problems with their tasks or the organization should be honest about it with the staff.
  5. Volunteers must respect confidentiality at the organization at all times.
  6. Right person, right role – a volunteer interview is an ideal opportunity for both sides to find out about each other. Both the volunteer and the organization need to know that they can work happily together. Be honest and upfront with your expectations.

 

RIGHTS

  1. Volunteers should be given role descriptions and written outlines of tasks they may be expected to perform. The more clarity there is about expectations before a commitment is made, the better for all parties.
  2. You’re allowed to say “No”. Both volunteers and organizations have the right to state if they don’t think the relationship will work out. However, it’s right for parties to expect explanations for such a decision.
  3. Good preparation is essential to help new volunteers settle into their roles. There might be a lot to take in at the beginning (especially if there is an added element of culture shock!). A new volunteer at a project should have access to all the information and support they need.
  4. A trial period for new volunteers is a good idea for both organization and volunteers. As it allows an opportunity to review any problems, and to decide if the arrangement won’t work out. If a trial period is going to be used, this must be made clear from the outset, and feedback should be given if everything goes well. Trial periods should be applied to ALL new volunteers.

In conclusion, Volunteers need ongoing support and supervision to ensure that they are happy with their role. Developing their skills, and achieving their full potential within the organization. Appropriate support ensures that volunteers remain motivated to continue with their voluntary role and helps them to feel valued.

 

 

 

 

Voluntourism in Uganda
Webmasters October 5, 2018 1 Comment

VOLUNTOURISM IN UGANDA

Voluntourism in Uganda

Volunteering and tourism, when they are joined become voluntourism. And this is a common form of international travel that allows you to contribute to sustainable development. While exploring a new country and culture.

It is similar to volunteer travel or volunteer vacation and many people find that doing volunteer work while also participating in exploring the country’s beauty remains a great way to get the best from any holiday.

Voluntourism offers unimaginable chances to participants. Exploring new destinations and their unique attributes, and learning about the culture firsthand play a vital role in the community.

Since most of the volunteers live with local host families, in addition to the worthwhile work they do on their projects. They also experience the depth of cultural immersion and exchange which is impossible for typical tourists. The host families usually welcome volunteers into their homes and help them become part of the community. By acquainting their traditions and customs with volunteers. And some volunteers have even found themselves celebrating birthdays and weddings with their host families.

The time a volunteer decides to take a step to join a voluntourism program, they are joining a global network of volunteers who live and work with diverse cultures on projects that have a positive impact. Volunteering in Uganda receives volunteers all over the world and this helps them to share their passion for giving back and the desire to broaden their horizons.

 

The most common form of voluntourism in Uganda is by visiting animal orphanages and zoos. Volunteers can work at animal orphanages, for example; Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary which deals in rescuing and rehabilitation of wild animals that have been injured, rescued from poachers or abandoned. Volunteers assist with feeding, handling, cleaning cages, assisting staff with providing medical care to these animals, and much more. Volunteers do not need any veterinary knowledge or special skills, just deep caring for animal welfare.

There are many animal centers, or animal orphanages in Uganda, including – Uganda wildlife education center, Ziwa Rhino sanctuary, Entebbe snake park, Reptile village, etc.

Volunteering and tourism has supported Ugandan communities in various ways;

When volunteers promote a well-run and sustainable volunteer project, they are helping to implement long-term development. Volunteers use skills, time, and energy to make a difference that will last long after they have returned home. Volunteers also help local teachers improve their teaching and classroom skills. Via various teaching projects and in this case, volunteers indirectly impact schools/institutions. And when a volunteer helps a struggling entrepreneur get their business off the ground at a microfinance project. The volunteer is helping support an entire family for years to come.

Voluntourism participants play a great role in the development of the local economy. Because in their free time, they get opportunities to go sightseeing. Undertake game drives, island tours, trekking, boat cruises, and many others.

We all know that Uganda relies heavily on the income from tourism. And so voluntourism is a way of generating revenue to the county’s GDP as well as supporting local businesses.

Voluntourism companies give employment to the communities and in most cases, workers have the opportunity to receive further training and education.

Voluntourism in Uganda is increasingly becoming common but it is extremely important to first research about the organization you are considering to travel with. Sustainability, experience, and financial responsibility are essential to running programs that truly benefit the population.