Life’s greatest rewards often come from helping someone else. Whether you have two hours a week or two hours a month to devote to community service, you can make a difference. The information below will help you understand your responsibilities as a RSVP volunteer.

If you are here, this means you are ready to join the RSVP program - congratulations! You will be a member of one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation. For over 30 years, RSVP has matched problems to be solved with people willing to help. Today, more than 480,000 seniors nationwide participate in RSVP. To join, please follow the directions below:

1. Print out either the Application form (for new/not already volunteering registrants) or the Registration form (for new members already volunteering).

2. Read and fill out the necessary information on the form.

3. Mail the forms to: RSVP, 31 W. Patrick St., L2, Frederick MD 21701or fax the forms to: 301-663-0355, attention Suzanne Franklin or attach to an email to suzannefranklin@volunteerfrederick.org.

A RSVP staff member will contact you when your form is received to begin the process of finding volunteer positions which match your particular skills or interests, or to confirm your current volunteer position.

What are my responsibilities as a Volunteer?

The RSVP program asks the following of new or current volunteers:

1. Serve from 2 to 40 hours per week.

2. Be on time to your volunteer position.

3. Inform your volunteer agency supervisor if you are unable to work on an assigned day.

4. Inform your volunteer agency supervisor if you have an accident while

volunteering.

5. Adhere to all policies of the volunteer agency, including confidentiality.

6. Be a positive representative of RSVP and the agency while volunteering.

7. Attend any training sessions given for your volunteer position.

8. Fill out your RSVP time sheet by the 7th of each month and return the time sheet to RSVP. Your organization may also forward service hours to RSVP.

Why do volunteers have to report hours served?

Each RSVP program sends in a report to the federal government, which includes the number of volunteers, the total number of hours served, and the total number of volunteer agencies served.  The time sheet is a record of your volunteer service.  They indicate where each RSVP member is volunteering and what agencies are being helped.  In addition, we must show documentation that you were volunteering at the time of an accident in order for your supplementary volunteer insurance coverage to be in effect.

What hours should be reported?

All hours should be reported that are volunteered freely to help others in your community.  This can include volunteer services you may already be performing.  Exceptions are helping immediate family members, promoting a specific religion or political party, or running for a political office.

How should I report my volunteer hours?

Volunteer hours are recorded on RSVP monthly time sheets.  Those time sheets are available for you and your organization from this web site, by email, or by regular mail.  Each time a volunteer works he/ she should record the date of service, type of service, whom the service was for, and the time spent.  Time sheets must be returned to the RSVP office by the 7th of each month.

Volunteer Forms

To make it easier for our valuable volunteers, RSVP has made all needed volunteer forms available here!  Each form is in fillable Microsoft Document format, meaning it can be filled in on your computer, saved & attached to an email, then sent to suzannefranklin@volunteerfrederick.org. If you do not have Microsoft Word, click on the box below to get it for free!

• Application form (new RSVP volunteers not volunteering at any position or agency at this time)

• Registration form (new RSVP members already volunteering at an agency or position)

• Volunteer time sheet (doc)

• Volunteer referral form - to refer a family member or friend to RSVP

• “I already volunteer....why should I join RSVP? (PDF)

• Insurance Coverage Brochure

RSVP Benefits

What benefits will I receive?

You will:  

• Become a part of one of the largest volunteer efforts in the nation

• Receive individual assistance with finding the right volunteer opportunity

• Have access to a large database of volunteer opportunities

• Receive regular updates featuring volunteer opportunities and training

• Be invited to special RSVP volunteer recognition events

• Have an opportunity to be nominated by the RSVP program for local, state and national recognition awards such as the Governor’s Volunteer Service awards and the President’s Service Award.

Insurance: A FREE supplemental insurance policy covers all registered RSVP                      volunteers while they are volunteering or traveling to and from their volunteer                  positions.  The insurance includes:

• Accident Insurance

• Personal Liability Insurance

• Excess Automobile Liability Insurance

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage