Dingle Literary Festival Volunteer Policy

Dingle Literary Festival Volunteer Policy

The Volunteer Department at Dingle Lit is proud to provide an opportunity to volunteer for this dynamic and growing  festival and to commit to international best practice. As such, the Department adheres to policies that ensure the  health, safety and satisfaction of all Dingle Lit volunteers, staff , partners and visitors. We ask that all volunteers review  this policy document as well as the Volunteer Code of Conduct and contact volunteers@dinglelit.ie with any questions.  By signing the separate Volunteer Agreement 2023, volunteers recognise and agree to abide by these policies. 

General Policies 

1. Dingle Lit promotes inclusivity and diversity in its Volunteer Department and is proud to accept volunteers from  all over the world. Dingle Lit does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, religion, race, sexual orientation or  identification, gender, socioeconomic status, age or ability. 
2. Dingle Lit welcomes persons of 18 years and older to apply to be a volunteer for Dingle Lit Festival. Dingle Lit also  welcomes persons aged 16-18yrs with written consent from parent/guardian. 
3. The Dingle Lit Volunteer Department endeavours to be compliant with EU and Irish data protection legislation. It collects only that personal data required for the purpose of carrying out the necessary activities of managing Festival volunteers and drawing up post-Festival reports. The data are processed by the Dingle Lit Volunteer Coordinator and are not shared with any third party unless with the explicit consent of the data subject and/or as required by law. The data are stored securely and deleted in full after each annual Festival. If you have any questions about any aspect of this or about our approach to data protection generally, please contact our Data Protection Adviser at dpo@dingle.lit.
4. Dingle Lit is not in a position to incur or reimburse any expenses for volunteers’ travel, accommodation, visa fees   or  any other fees that may occur as a result of volunteering. 
5. Volunteers are required to familiarize themselves with our health and safety policies and procedures and Child  Safeguarding policies. Any questions may be directed to the Volunteer Coordinator (contact details above). 
6. Volunteers working with children and certain vulnerable adults are required to be Garda vetted. This includes  volunteers who are in a supervisory role with children and/or facilitating children’s events. Garda vetting is initiated  through by Dingle Lit Garda Vetting Offi cer and is processed through Kerry Volunteer Centre, in accordance with  disclosure of information by the National Vetting Bureau to the Liaison Person pursuant to Section 13(4)(e) National  Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016. 
7. The Volunteer Coordinator reserves the right to refuse acceptance into the volunteer programme to anyone deemed  unsuitable for volunteering for any reason. 
8. Interaction between the Dingle Lit Volunteer Department and its volunteers is to remain professional and courteous  at all times. 
9. Volunteers are not permitted to consume alcohol while on duty. Smoking is permitted only on smoke breaks in  designated areas.
10. In accordance with the Dingle Lit Grievance Policy, volunteers are encouraged to contact the volunteer coordinator  with any complaints, questions or concerns using the email address and mobile numbers provided above. In the case  that a grievance is with the volunteer coordinator, complaints, concerns or questions may be directed to the deputy  volunteer coordinator, named above. Volunteers may also request a face-to-face meeting. If the volunteer wishes to  remain anonymous, they may write to the Dingle Lit offi ce address: Dingle Lit Festival CLG, Slea Head Dr, Gortmore,  Ballyferriter West, Co. Kerry, V92 KX38 
11. Anyone who suspects wrongdoing on the part of Dingle Lit Festival, the Dingle Lit Volunteer Department or any of its committee members or volunteers has a legal right to report the issue without  retaliation by these parties. Reports should be made to the Volunteer Coordinator or to another member of the  committee team in good faith and without ill intention. 

Application, Training and Certification 

■ The minimum age for registered Dingle Lit volunteers is 16. No one under 16 will be accepted. Volunteers aged  between 16 and 18 yrs of age will require parental/guardian consent. 

■ All volunteers must sign the Volunteer Agreement and provide contact details of an individual the Volunteer Department may contact in case of emergency. 

■ Volunteers must attend one induction evening, during which is off ered critical training materials and other  information necessary for satisfactory completion of volunteer duties. If a volunteer is not able to attend,  volunteers are required to arrange a training with the coordinator prior to starting their volunteering role. 

■ Volunteers who have satisfactorily completed their duties are entitled to a certifi cate upon request.