Make each assignment understandable

A clear assignment connects an agreed role to a task, context, supervisor, and question handoff.

Before a volunteer begins, confirm that the task fits the agreed role. Explain where the work takes place or which team it supports, who supervises it, and how to raise a question. This page describes coordination; it does not provide a live rota or record assignment status.

If the request goes beyond the agreed contribution, pause the change and check with the staff supervisor before extending the assignment.

Coordinate the handoff

  1. 1

    Check the agreed role

    Compare the requested task with the role's stated contribution and boundaries.

  2. 2

    Brief the task and context

    Explain what the volunteer is contributing and which program activity or location the assignment supports.

  3. 3

    Identify the supervisor by function

    Tell the volunteer which staff-supervising role can answer questions during the assignment.

  4. 4

    Close the loop

    Agree how the volunteer will return questions or unfinished work to the supervisor.

Worked example: event welcome support

Fictional coordination example. It is not a live assignment record or a safeguarding procedure.

Assignment element Harborlight example
Task Welcome arriving participants and direct them to the listed event area.
Volunteer contribution Greet participants and share only the event directions in the briefing.
Supervisor handoff Refer questions outside the briefing to the event supervisor.
Outside the agreed scope Do not decide eligibility or take on a new task; check with the staff supervisor first.