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Nifty Thrifty

Volunteer Handbook

The Graham Crisis Center, Inc. (GCC) and Nifty Thrifty Charitable Re-Sale Store are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. The Nifty Thrifty store plays a crucial role in supporting the Graham Crisis Center Benevolence Fund, which helps individuals obtain clean clothes and essential items. Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

The Graham Crisis Center believes that volunteers play a vital role in our mission to support those in need. Without the help of dedicated volunteers, our mission cannot be fully realized. Therefore, it is our pleasure to have you as a volunteer, today and into the future. The GCC Team appreciates your valuable support, and we are happy that you are here.

This Volunteer Handbook is intended to provide you with the information needed to learn more about our organization. In it, you will become familiar with the GCC’s Volunteer Program, opportunities, guidelines, and procedures/policies. We always encourage our volunteers to visit our website to become familiar with our organization. Thank you for your partnership, and we look forward to working with you.

About Us

Supporting independence and self-sufficiency

The Graham Crisis Center is a nonprofit organization located in Graham, Texas, committed to assisting families and individuals in crisis on their journey toward independence and self-sufficiency. Our primary focus is on early crisis intervention, enabling us to quickly initiate stabilization efforts.

The Nifty Thrifty Charitable Re-Sale Store

In addition to our intervention programs, we run a charitable resale store that offers essential items like household necessities, shoes, and clothing to those in need. Our goal is to ensure that no one in our community is left without support.

  • All of our inventory has been donated by our community and meticulously sorted through to ensure we provide the best quality items.
  • It is accessible to the public, as well as to anyone facing a crisis, homelessness, or hardship.

You must fill out paperwork in the Crisis Center office to ensure you are eligible.

Our mission

To provide essential needs, addressing both physical and emotional aspects. Our services include shelter, food, life coaching, and various support programs to help families and individuals establish a solid foundation for thriving.

Our vision

To offer continuous support to individuals and families in our community by supplying essential resources for their well-being.

Our Values

Respect — We respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person and treat all with justice, equity, and compassion. We honor the lives, concerns, and stories of people in need and expect our partners to do the same. We accept one another and encourage diversity of thoughts and ideas.

Stewardship and Accountability — We keep faith with the public trust through the efficient and compassionate use of resources entrusted to us and are mindful that our mission is accomplished through the generosity of others. We maintain and communicate accurate and timely information on hunger research, education, advocacy, and service. We evaluate and account regularly for how resources are used to implement and achieve our mission.

Collaboration — We believe in the power of community. We collaborate and build strong relationships, based on trust, with and among those who share our vision of creating hunger-free communities. We work together to accomplish the vision at the local level, valuing each other’s roles and using an open process and honest communication. We seek out and are responsive to the input and counsel of our partners.

Urgency — We operate with an acute sense of urgency that reflects the immediate needs of people struggling with hunger. We challenge our employees, volunteers, and partners to embrace the same sense of urgency to accomplish our shared vision.

Service — We believe service to others is fundamental to creating hunger-free communities. We serve with excellence, compassion, and responsiveness to meet the needs of those with whom we work internally and externally. The better we serve, the more people we bring together in commitment to our vision.

Integrity — We act with honesty, trust, and openness and deliver on commitments. We act within the spirit of agreements, contracts, and the law. Our intentions and actions will be transparent and above reproach.

Diversity — We believe that the ethnic, cultural, and social diversity of our service area should be reflected in our staff, Board, and partners.

Who We Are

Since 1983, the Graham Crisis Center & The Nifty Thrifty have been dedicated to serving the community as a 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission focuses on providing essentials to those facing poverty and homelessness, and supporting families and individuals in crisis, helping them achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

The success of our mission relies on the active compassion of our supporters. We are sincerely thankful to all individuals, organizations, and businesses that generously contribute their time and resources. Together, we are creating a happier and healthier community for everyone.

Volunteer opportunities & hours of operation

Volunteers help sort, wipe, and organize all of the donations in our Donation Center. Shift days and times are arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator — stop by the Crisis Center office or email to find a time that works for you.

General Guidelines & Procedures

Scheduling

All volunteers must schedule their volunteer opportunity and complete their volunteer waiver in advance by filling out our form with Shylee in the GCC office. All volunteers must sign the waiver form prior to volunteering. Children under 16 should have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian unless they are performing volunteerism for a pre-approved program through the Volunteer Coordinator (Shylee).

  1. Complete a volunteer application and sign the waiver at the end.
  2. Review the calendar with Shylee in the GCC office for volunteer opportunities.
  3. Schedule yourself for a shift that works for your interests and schedule.
  4. If looking for group opportunities, send a request to shylee@teal-ibis-993328.hostingersite.com.

Check-in

Upon arriving, volunteers are required to check in for their shift with Shylee in the GCC office. Volunteers must check in to receive credit for hours.

Volunteers are expected to sign up for shifts in advance. If no sign-up occurred, we may not be able to accommodate you. Volunteers are expected to sign up for shifts, arrive on time, and stay for the entirety of the shift to maintain the workflow, unless pre-approved through the Volunteer Coordinator.

Parking & entrance

The GCC & NT office can be found at 601 Indiana Street, Graham, Texas 76450. You may enter the building through the Graham Crisis Center front door on the following days: Tuesday, Thursday, and the 1st & 3rd Saturdays (9:00 AM – 2:00 PM). Please ensure to park on the right side of the building.

Please be aware that the Graham Crisis Center, Nifty Thrifty & Food Pantry are not responsible for any issues that involve your vehicles.

Volunteers needing documentation of hours

Volunteers who need documentation of hours are responsible for maintaining a record of their volunteer hours and will be required to have these logged on their sign-in sheet. We offer generic service-hours letters, but please give the Volunteer Coordinator notice of your documentation letter prior to beginning your shift.

Dress code

Volunteers are encouraged to dress in casual clothing and comfortable footwear, with closed-toe shoes being a requirement. Since volunteer work can sometimes be messy, we want to ensure your belongings stay protected, so please choose clothing that you won’t mind getting dirty. Volunteering at the Nifty Thrifty is a family-friendly experience, so please avoid language and attire that contains harmful or suggestive language or pictures. We ask that you leave personal belongings at home or locked in your car. Necklaces and long earrings pose a safety concern, so please remove them if necessary. The Graham Crisis Center & The Nifty Thrifty will not be held responsible for any missing personal belongings. There is a lost-and-found box located at the Nifty Thrifty register.

Large group accommodations

The GCC & NT welcomes group volunteers. We believe volunteering provides an opportunity for team building. Because of staffing logistics, we ask for a minimum of two hours of service to accommodate volunteer groups. Please email shylee@teal-ibis-993328.hostingersite.com to create a volunteer group.

Accommodation

The Nifty Thrifty requires all volunteers to be able to lift at least 30 pounds, stand for extended periods of time, and independently follow directions without assistance. If you require special accommodation for yourself and/or your group, or do not meet our requirements, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator (Shylee).

Court-appointed community service volunteers (CACS)

The Nifty Thrifty does accept volunteers performing court-ordered or lawyer-recommended community service.

Volunteers who are performing this type of community service must disclose the nature of their conviction to the Volunteer Coordinator (Shylee) so she may schedule a time for you to volunteer with The Nifty Thrifty (NT) or the Graham Food Pantry (FP). The Nifty Thrifty & Graham Food Pantry will not accept volunteers who have been convicted of theft, violent crimes, crimes of a sexual nature, or cruelty to juveniles or animals. Registered sex offenders are not permitted to volunteer at the Graham Crisis Center, Food Pantry, or The Nifty Thrifty.

The GCC, NT & FP reserves the right to decline any volunteer or to limit which days or hours a volunteer can work.

Hydration

Hydration is essential, particularly during the summer months. To support this, water will be available for you in the break room. We also encourage and welcome volunteers to bring their own beverages, provided they have a lid. While food and drinks are not allowed in the Food Pantry or Donation area, you are welcome to enjoy them in the volunteer break room.

Smoke- and tobacco-free workplace

The GCC & NT is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for staff and visitors. Smoking and the use of tobacco products or vaping are allowed only on approved breaks and in the designated areas outside of the building.

Important Policies

Volunteer safety rules

The following rules are enforced for all staff and volunteers in the Nifty Thrifty. Failure to follow these rules may result in dismissal.

  • Please maintain a professional attitude, with a firm stance against any form of hate speech. We are dedicated to serving others; we refrain from engaging in politics and do not judge or discriminate against clients or staff members.
  • No person is permitted to volunteer while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Horseplay is not permitted.
  • Open-toe shoes are not permitted.
  • Proper personal hygiene is expected. Clothing needs to be neat, clean, and without loose sleeves or dangling accessories.
  • No eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in the building. Water will be provided in the designated areas only.
  • Personal items and food should be stored in designated areas or in your personal vehicle.
  • Follow all posted signs/instructions.
  • Use proper clothing and safety gear or personal protective equipment provided for various jobs (gloves if needed).
  • Use correct lifting techniques: bend with your knees when lifting.
  • Riding on carts is not permitted.
  • All spills need to be cleaned up immediately.
  • The Nifty Thrifty floors are to be maintained free of debris and spills.
  • Report any damage to Nifty Thrifty belongings immediately.
  • Report all accidents and injuries immediately to the Nifty Thrifty Manager (Darcie).
  • Should you see an unsafe act or have any questions, immediately contact the Nifty Thrifty Manager (Darcie) or the Volunteer Coordinator (Shylee).
  • Certain portions of the Nifty Thrifty are restricted to authorized personnel only. Please remain in the assigned areas only.
  • We strive to offer the highest quality items possible. If any items are dirty, have an unpleasant odor, or are stained, please dispose of them or bag them for recycling.
  • Quality and safety are always more important than quantity.
  • If you are caught stealing, you will immediately be asked to leave and will no longer be able to volunteer with us.

Youth policy

  • The minimum age for volunteers in the Nifty Thrifty is 14 years old. Volunteers 14 years or older may volunteer if accompanied by an adult age 18 or older. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver for anyone under 18 years of age.
  • Children aged 6 and older are permitted to tour the Nifty Thrifty with the GCC Director or FP Manager.
  • There must be 1 adult chaperone for every 2 youth volunteers.

Absence, Weather & Closures

Absence policy

Volunteers are expected to sign up for shifts in advance, arrive and check in promptly, and stay until the conclusion of their shift unless an exception has been made. Volunteers who cannot attend a scheduled shift are expected to notify us of their absence. Failure to attend a shift without notification will result in the documentation of a “no-show.” After 3 no-shows, the volunteer may be removed from all future volunteer shifts until contact has been made with the Volunteer Coordinator.

We have limited capacity and require all volunteers to be signed up for shifts, so it is important that if you cannot attend, you let the Volunteer Coordinator know so another volunteer can sign up for that slot.

Inclement weather plans

Should weather dictate the closing of the Nifty Thrifty or other volunteer opportunities, the Volunteer Coordinator will contact volunteers by email, notifying them of the closure. Please note that Nifty Thrifty closures align with the Graham Independent School District.

Updates are also shared on our Facebook page. Follow us on Facebook to stay informed and catch all the latest news.

Closure mandates

GCC, FP & NT will cease operations entirely if the local school district(s) are closed due to severe weather conditions, including winter storm warnings, watches, or precipitation, as well as extremely cold temperatures or icy road conditions.

GCC, FP & NT advises volunteers to remain in contact with the GCC Volunteer Coordinator to reroute clients and volunteers to a safe, clear space if an active distribution becomes interrupted by inclement weather conditions.

Additional Policies

Discrimination and anti-harassment policy

The GCC, FP & NT strictly prohibits discrimination of any kind. This includes, but is not limited to, race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or another status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, health status, place of residence, and economic and social situation.

Food & donations policy

All donated products (clothing, shoes, jewelry, decor, and otherwise) are to be used solely for the intended purpose of serving neighbors through appropriate NT channels (providing inventory for our store). Staff and volunteers are prohibited from stealing donated items for personal use. (If you would like to purchase an item found while volunteering, please ask the Nifty Thrifty Manager, Darcie, to hold it for you in the front office.)

The GCC is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that receives donated products in accordance with IRS Code 170(e)(3), which defines the tax deduction that donors are eligible to receive if the donation is used according to the regulations, defines the organizations eligible to receive those donations, and defines allowable uses of those donations. All donated products (clothing, jewelry, decor, and otherwise) are to be used solely for the store. All products donated to the NT are considered as having been donated under the provisions of Section 170(e)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code unless the donor clearly provides verification to the contrary in writing.

The Nifty Thrifty is committed to keeping high standards regarding the use of donated products. We have commitment and accountability to the neighbors who we serve and to our donors who make this work possible. Our community has bestowed a great amount of trust and good faith in our work and mission. Furthermore, stealing is not a benefit of employment or volunteering.

Volunteer dismissal policy

Volunteers are an invaluable resource to the GCC, FP & NT. Our primary aim is to encourage and support their contribution to our service area. However, it is also recognized that there may be times when a volunteer needs to be counseled and perhaps dismissed.

Volunteers may leave the organization at any time and may be asked to leave the organization at any time. Volunteers who do not adhere to the policies and procedures outlined below are subject to dismissal.

Conduct that the GCC, FP & NT finds unacceptable:

  • Consistent failure to be on time or “no showing” for a shift.
  • Unable to commit to the time requirement that was set forth in the position description.
  • Inability to comply with any of the standards presented herein, including performance standards, policies, and guidelines found within the Volunteer Handbook.
  • Failure to comply with staff decisions.
  • Failure to be respectful to recipients, visitors, donors, volunteers, and staff.
  • Distributing confidential information about recipients, volunteers, or staff.
  • Use of the GCC, FP, or NT name or trademarks without prior permission from the appropriate authorized GCC staff.
  • You are not permitted to resell any items purchased at Nifty Thrifty using an employee or volunteer discount.

Steps taken by GCC to enforce outlined policies:

  1. The first infraction of the above policies will result in the staff member involved verbally addressing the situation with the volunteer, along with notifying the Volunteer Coordinator and Director of the GCC. The infraction will then be documented in the volunteer’s file.
  2. If a subsequent infraction takes place, the volunteer can be asked to immediately relinquish their position as a volunteer with the Graham Crisis Center.

Uncontrolled volunteers will be escorted out of the building by the Graham Crisis Center Director. The GCC Director needs to be notified immediately of an uncontrolled volunteer. If the GCC Director is unavailable, the Volunteer Coordinator will assist with removing the uncontrolled volunteer.

Conduct that permits the immediate release of the volunteer:

The following is a list of inappropriate conduct that will result in the immediate cancellation of volunteer status. Even if a staff member does not personally see the below infractions take place, if a reasonable belief exists that the infraction occurred, it can result in immediate release of the volunteer. Examples cannot be listed to cover every situation; other offenses not specifically mentioned here may be deemed serious.

  • Falsifying reports, records, or expenses
  • Sexual harassment
  • Physical or verbal harassment
  • Negligent or willful damage to property
  • Theft
  • Unlawful discrimination
  • Illegal or unethical behavior
  • Negligent or willful endangerment of the safety of others
  • Working while impaired by intoxicants — alcohol or drugs
  • Insubordination
  • Breach of conflict of interest

Volunteer Leaders

Volunteer Leaders are an invaluable resource to the GCC & NT; our primary aim is to encourage and support their contribution to our organization. As a part of the NT team, the Volunteer Leader, led by the direction of the GCC & NT staff, provides volunteers with a positive experience so that they continue their journey of service while helping to carry out the mission of the GCC & NT. Volunteer Leaders are expected to support and assist in enforcing the policies and procedures of the GCC.

Time commitment

Volunteers are encouraged to contribute a minimum of 30 hours each month to earn 50% off their purchases at the Nifty Thrifty as a token of appreciation for their dedication and time.

Requirements

Volunteer Leaders will be evaluated each January, based on the past year’s hours and participation. There will be an annual mandatory training course to go over any new requirements and review existing policies.

Volunteer Leaders must demonstrate the following:

  • Uphold and adhere to all volunteer policies and procedures while setting and maintaining a high standard of Nifty Thrifty regulations.
  • Sign up and check in for each shift, and encourage all volunteers to do the same.
  • Report all deficiencies that constitute an immediate threat to anyone’s health and safety.
  • Support Nifty Thrifty leadership by answering questions volunteers may have regarding sorting and unpacking, and ensuring all volunteers have a positive and safe experience.
  • Invite and encourage volunteers to participate in future projects.
  • Complete other tasks that are assigned by the GCC or NT staff or Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Encourage all volunteers to fill roles based on ability and interest.
  • Accept and embrace all people without judgment.
  • Support individuals’ personal space and private lives by not asking personal questions.
  • Respect the religious preference of all individuals and do not proselytize for any one faith or belief, and do not allow any other discriminatory actions of any sort.
  • Respect others’ political and personal beliefs.
  • Respect workplace etiquette when in the front office area and ensure all volunteers follow this policy.
  • Report all NT issues directly to the Nifty Thrifty Manager (Darcie).