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April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week (NVW), a time when we celebrate the 13 million Canadians who give generously of their time to causes, they are passionate about. Volunteers are often the lifeblood of not for profits organizations.
If volunteers help to keep your organization running, now is a great time to say thank you and recognize these individuals for their contributions. It’s also a great time to ensure you have the right process in place to screen your volunteers! Depending on how your organization works your volunteer recruitment process might differ as will the types of risk associated with including volunteers in your organization.
As you consider working with volunteers, make use of this helpful screening checklist.
What steps should you take during your screening process?
- Risk Management: ask yourself, what could go wrong and what do we do to avoid it?
- Be careful during the recruitment process: look for people you think will be calm in a crisis if one occurs.
- Be clear that your organization is extremely careful about selecting volunteers, and do not apologize for that.
- Use an application form: this ensures that you will get people who really want to apply.
- Ensure your application only asks for information related to the requirements of the position.
- Questions on matters such as the candidate’s race, national origin, colour, religion or sex are prohibited under federal and provincial human rights legislation.
- Interviews: When planning an interview with a potential volunteer you may want to consider the following:
- Have at least two people conduct the interview.
- Describe the position specifically, using the position description.
- Document the applicant’s responses to the questions.
- Ask all applicants the same questions for consistency.
- Check references!
Depending on what your organization does you may want to request police records checks (PRC). Always ensure that you screen your volunteers to help prevent any insurance claims.
If you could benefit from a free Volunteering Screening Checklist, download your copy now.
