Why do shifts get cancelled?

We pride ourselves on our reliability and consistency of service, but sometimes it is necessary to cancel a shift for any of the below reasons. If Team Leaders need to cancel a shift you should always make the decision in conjunction with your Service Leader and communicate the cancellation to all members of your team.

1. Extreme weather

If on the day of the shift, it will not be safe to operate the van due to torrential rain, thunderstorms or other extreme weather conditions, consider cancelling the shift. Please read the Safe Operating Guide - Inclement Weather before making a decision. You should also involve your team members in this decision, especially if they live nearby the shift location and may be able to provide a more accurate assessment of the weather.

2. Insufficient volunteers

It is hoped that we never have to cancel a shift due to low volunteers, but understand emergencies happen! To help avoid this roster your team with enough warning that each team member knows what week they are required. If you have insufficient volunteers you can;

• Ask non-rostered members of your team to help (the sooner the better).
• Reach out on the Facebook group to ask members of other teams.
• Reach out to your Service Leader directly.
• Use any other communication platform in your service eg. TL WhatsApp to reach out to other teams.

3. Service provider closed

From time to time our partner service providers (SP) may not open for business due to Public Holidays, staff training etc. Please inform your team and the SL of any such closure as soon as you become aware. It is a good idea to check with your SP partner in the lead up to the Christmas period as to when they are planning to be closed. We do not operate a shift when the SP is not operating.