As a non-profit organization, most of your workforce is probably comprised of volunteers. These individuals are devoting their time and energy to helping the community through your organization. Though these individuals are offering their services without expecting compensation, they still require supervision to ensure that their jobs are done correctly.
Furthermore, it is essential that your organization properly screens its volunteers to minimize the risk of harm to the community members you are attempting to serve and to the other volunteers themselves.
Regardless of how your organization recruits volunteers (word of mouth, via your company website or enrolment programs), it is imperative that you establish a stringent screening process. This effective risk management tool will lend a hand in preventing any unnecessary harm. Furthermore, screening volunteers will allow your organization to select the best person for the position.
The ultimate goal at the end of the screening process is to answer the following questions:
Types of Risks:
There are four types of risks that an individual can pose to the organization, the staff and the community. The screening process established by the organization should identify those risks and eliminate individuals who pose them.
The use of drugs and/or alcohol may also cause volunteers to inflict harm. The screening process should also address substance abuse issues.
Checklist for Supervising Volunteers:
To ensure that your organization is fully prepared for managing volunteers, determine if your non-profit has the following in place:
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Keeping the above tips in mind can go a long way in preventing claims and losses.
Download a copy of our “Common Exposures for Non-Profit Organizations” guide to keep as a reference and find out how to better protect your organization: