Liaison Policy

Purpose

A Liaison For CARITAS helps orphaned and other disadvantaged children find hope by helping find them sponsors. Connecting sponsors with needy children is a rewarding way to spend your time, and it is easy to do.

Liaison Reporting and Management

To avoid confusion among staff and Liaisons and also prevent duplication of services one person will be responsible for Liaisons. The Liaison Manager will provide a central coordinating point for effective Liaison management within the agency, and direct and assist staff and Liaison efforts. The Liaison Program Manager shall have primary responsibility for planning for effective Liaison utilization, for assisting staff in identifying productive and creative Liaison roles, for recruiting suitable Liaisons, and for tracking and evaluating the contribution of Liaisons to the agency. All staff should be prepared to supervise Liaisons when appropriate.

Definition of ‘Liaison’

A Liaison is anyone who performs a task at the direction of and on behalf of the agency, without compensation or expectation of compensation. A Liaison must be officially accepted and enrolled by the agency before performing any tasks. Liaisons are not considered employees of the agency. Agency clients, relatives of clients and employees MAY/MAY NOT be accepted as Liaisons. (Relatives of clients will not be placed in a position of direct service or relationship to members of their family receiving services.) Liaisons who have not reached their age of majority must have the written consent of a parent or guardian prior to Liaisoning.

Service at the Discretion of the Agency

The agency accepts the service of all Liaisons with the understanding that they serve at the sole discretion of the agency. The agency may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the Liaison’s relationship with the agency. The Liaison may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to end their relationship with the agency.

Liaison Position Descriptions

The Liaison Manager keeps the duties and qualifications for all Liaison positions on file. Staff will request Liaisons through the Liaison Manager using the position description format. Each Liaison is given a written Liaison Position Description.

Liaison Recruitment

Liaisons will be recruited by the agency on a pro-active basis, with the intent of expanding the Liaison involvement of the community with the agency. Liaisons shall be recruited without regard to gender, handicap, age, race or other condition. All Liaison recruitment is coordinated through the Liaison Manager, with all staff assisting in this effort.

Liaison Placement

All potential ongoing Liaisons must complete an application and must be interviewed by the Liaison Manager to ascertain their suitability for and interest in a position. The interview should determine the qualifications of the Liaison, their commitment to fulfill the requirements of the position, and should answer any questions that the Liaison might have about the position. Liaisons WILL/MAY be asked to provide references and/or submit to a background check. Liaisons who do not agree to the background check may be refused assignment. All Liaisons will be given written job descriptions and will sign an agreement. Interviewing of special event or one-time Liaisons may not be required. These individuals will Liaison at the discretion of the Liaison Manager.

Liaison Information

A current list of Liaisons, schedules, contact information and dates/times available will be kept up to date. In addition, the Liaison hours, with date and times, will be recorded. Liaison personnel records shall be accorded the same confidentiality as staff personnel records.

Liaison Rights and Responsibilities

Liaisons are viewed as a valuable resource to this agency, its staff, and its clients. Liaisons who meet the criteria for placement, have the right to be given meaningful assignments, the right to effective supervision, and the right to recognition for work done. In return, Liaisons shall agree to actively perform their duties to the best of their abilities and to remain loyal to the goals and procedures of the agency.

Confidentiality

Liaisons are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a Liaison, whether this information involves a single staff, Liaison, client, or other person or involves overall agency business. Failure to maintain confidentiality may result in termination of the Liaison’s relationship with the agency or other corrective action.

Orientation

All Liaisons will receive a general orientation on the nature and purpose of the agency, the operation of the program for which they are recruited, and specific information on the position which they fill.

Dismissal of a Liaison

Liaisons who do not adhere to the rules and procedures of the agency or who fail to satisfactorily perform their Liaison assignment are subject to dismissal by the Liaison Program Manager. Possible grounds for dismissal may include, but are not limited to, the following: gross misconduct or insubordination, being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, theft of property or misuse of agency equipment or materials, abuse or mistreatment of clients or co-workers, failure to abide by agency policies and procedures, failure to meet physical or mental standards of performance, excessive absenteeism, and failure to satisfactorily perform assigned duties.