How does heart for woerden work?
If you are going to do volunteer work, this may raise questions. For example: What about my benefits? Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses? Am I insured as a volunteer? What can I expect from the organization and they from me? Where can I go in case of problems?
On this page you will find practical information that you may need if you do or will do volunteer work. Are you missing information or can't find it? Contact us. We are happy to help you.
- 1. When do you volunteer?
You are a volunteer if the following applies:
- You perform work for an association, a foundation or for a non-profit organization. This organization is not a private company or public company; The organization does not necessarily have to be registered, even if you are a volunteer for a residents' initiative;
- You are not employed by the organization for which you volunteer;
- You don't do the work for your profession;
- Any compensation you receive for the work is a volunteer compensation. This means that the remuneration is not in proportion to the scope of the work and the amount of time you spend on it.
- 2. Rights and Obligations
- Of course you also have rights as a volunteer. The exact rights and obligations of a volunteer are often laid down in a volunteer agreement by the organization you join. The Association of Dutch Organizations for Voluntary Work (NOV) has made a publication available in which all information can be found about laws and regulations for volunteers, volunteer organizations and municipalities. This contains information about, for example, the volunteer allowance, volunteer insurance, an explanation of benefits and consideration, working conditions, the VOG and corporate social responsibility. Read the publication .
- 3. The volunteer insurance
- If you do volunteer work, you can also incur or cause property damage or injury. Various organizations have arranged insurance for their volunteers. If necessary, ask if this applies to you. The municipality of Woerden has taken out collective insurance for volunteers. Volunteers and organizations do not have to register for this. You can report damage via Hart voor Woerden. All information about the volunteer insurance can be found on the next page.
- 4. Volunteer work and benefits
- If you receive benefits and you want to do voluntary work, special rules apply. In that case, always contact the benefits agency before doing volunteer work. All rules are well explained on the website of the UWV . The Participation Act requires a so-called consideration from people on social assistance benefits. A consideration is an unpaid socially useful activity of limited duration and scope. For example for a few hours a day or a week for a few weeks or months. It should not be work that you normally get paid for. The municipality of Woerden also applies this. Together with Ferm Werk, the municipality determines the content, scope and duration of the consideration. We take a good look at what is possible in your situation. Do you refuse a return? Then Ferm Werk may reduce your social assistance benefit. Do you volunteer or are you a carer? In consultation with Ferm Werk, discuss whether your voluntary work or task as an informal carer counts as something in return.
- 5. Volunteer Fee
- Sometimes as a volunteer you receive a payment for your voluntary work, on which you do not have to pay tax. This may concern reimbursement of expenses, such as travel expenses and costs incurred and/or an allowance for your work. A number of conditions apply to this. Check the website of the tax authorities for more information.
- 6. Agreements with an organization
When you are going to do volunteer work, a volunteer agreement can be useful, in which the agreements are again included for both parties. Discuss this with the organization you will be working for. Movisie has drawn up an example agreement that you can use. If you discuss volunteering with an organization, you are responsible for clear agreements about:
- working hours, supervision and training;
- the content of the work;
- the number of hours per week you work;
- what tasks and responsibilities you have;
- whether the volunteer work is insured;
- which expenses are reimbursed.
- 7. VOG
- A VOG is a 'Verklaring Omtrent het Behaviour' which shows that the applicant's behavior in the past does not constitute an objection to the performance of a specific task or position in society. The Ministry of Security and Justice screens (legal) persons who apply for a VOG and issues the VOGs. Many voluntary organizations and associations ask volunteers for a 'Declaration of Behavior' (VOG). The VOG contributes to safety, but offers no guarantees. The new Free VOG scheme came into effect on 1 November 2018. The starting point of the new scheme is that every volunteer who works with people in a dependency situation can apply for a free VOG. The volunteer organization must register itself in order to make use of the scheme. The scheme falls under the responsibility of the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. All information for organizations about the free VOG can be found on the website .