| Advocate
Information -
This is the front line role of
the VRVSS. You work directly with victims, police and the program director. An
excellent training program provides you with skills necessary to complete this
satisfying role.
Board of Directors - A position on the board is a very interesting
and dynamic way to be involved with VRVSS. The board meets regularly, are
responsible for the control and management of the Society and are elected for
one or two year terms.
More Detailed Descriptions
Advocate
Information
Position Summary
Victim
advocates provide assistance, support, information and referral to victims of
crime or tragedy in Vulcan County through crisis intervention and timely follow
up.
Essential
Functions
- To provide
practical assistance and non-judgmental emotional support to victims of crime
or tragedy. This service can be provided through follow up or immediate crisis
intervention at the request of the RCMP and other community agencies.
- To assist in
the delivery, explanation and follow-up of victim impact statements,
applications for financial benefits and claims for restitution.
- To keep
victims informed of proceedings with the criminal justice system.
Maintenance
of confidentiality at all times.
- To provide
victim/witnesses with formalized court preparation sessions and accompaniment
to court as required.
- To provide
information on and referrals to other community agencies which may act as
useful resources for the victim.
- The accurate
completion of records as required, including updating the investigating member
of any additional information received while interacting with a victim.
- To provide
victims with appropriate educational and preventive information.
- To arrange emergency transportation to victims when necessary.
Additional Responsibilities
- Familiarization with the victim advocate manual.
- To assist
the investigating officer with the return of exhibits in certain
instances.
- The
maintenance of detailed records of volunteer hours.
- The use of
discretion and common sense to determine what immediate assistance might be
useful to the victim.
- To provide
“face to face” contact with the victim wherever possible.
- The
collection and return of any pager/phone used while on-call.
- Assistance
with fundraising, presentations and special events if available.
Requirements
| a) |
 |
Coverage of on-call
crisis intervention shifts, and self scheduled follow-up with victims as
required. |
| b) |
|
The signing of a one year
contract with the program. |
| c) |
|
The signing of an oath of
confidentiality. |
| d) |
|
The accurate completion
of all security clearance forms for the RCMP. |
| e) |
|
Participation and
attendance in the victim services training program and other in-service
sessions. |
| f) |
|
Strong communication
skills and the ability to provide non-judgmental support. |
| g) |
|
The ability to work in
stressful situations. |
| h) |
|
The maintenance of a high
degree of professionalism, including dressing in a business-like fashion,
punctuality and the positive promotion of the victim services. |
| i) |
|
A valid drivers license
and access to a vehicle is also an asset. |
Ride alongs
with an RCMP member will also be included as part of an advocate’s
training and will be scheduled through the program director at a time suitable
to the RCMP and the advocate.
Board of Directors
The Vulcan
Regional Victim Services Society is a legal entity existing through
incorporation and operates under the direction of a Board of Directors. Their
role is to govern the operations of Vulcan Regional Victim Services through the
formal establishment of policies. They meet bi-monthly to monitor the control
and management of the affairs of the Society. The Board consists of six to ten
members.
The
membership of the 2006/7 Board of Directors for Vulcan Regional Victim Services
Society is as follows:
| Liz Sansome |
Chair |
| Trish Standing |
Vice |
| Margaret McLean |
Secretary |
| Charlene Shearer |
Treasurer |
| Carrol Thomson |
Director |
| Doug Costen |
Director |
| Cst. Carol Blannin |
RCMP Liaison - Vulcan |
 Sponsors
|
