Protecting organizations from volunteer risks
Only 33% of volunteers surveyed said they had undergone a background check prior to being accepted to their position.
Volunteering can be rewarding for both the volunteers themselves and the organization they’re helping, but utilizing non-professional helpers comes with a unique set of risks. Though some volunteers are put through checks and training ahead of performing their duties, a recent survey from Church Mutual Insurance Company showed these preparations aren’t happening as often as you might expect.
According to the survey report, 52% of respondents who regularly or frequently attend organizations that use volunteers said they expect those organizations to perform criminal background checks on them. However, only 33% of volunteers surveyed said they actually had undergone a background check prior to being accepted to their position, and only 16% had been checked against the National Sex Offender Public Registry.
“The reality is that most volunteers do not receive essential background checks and basic safety training as part of the onboarding process,” Rich Poirier, president and CEO of Church Mutual, explained in a release. “There is a sharp disconnect between the desire for rigorous criminal, employment and sex offender screening, and the volunteers who are actually being scrutinized in these areas. Additionally, expectations for basic first aid and CPR training, as well as dealing with more complex issues like potential armed intruder situations – which should be top of mind – don’t align with the current volunteer screening and training experience.”
As Poirier mentioned, very few volunteers are undergoing safety training prior to working with an organization. Only 10% of survey respondents said they were trained on armed intruder response, and 27% said they had received first aid and CPR training.
Having a group of untrained, unscreened volunteers can open an organization to a host of risks, including the possibility of physical injuries, property damage or criminal activity. To protect your organization when utilizing volunteers, Church Mutual recommends you:
- Establish a volunteer coordinator, so there is someone specifically focused on managing volunteer labor.
- Create a standardized onboarding protocol that includes necessary training like CPR and first aid.
- Conduct background checks on all volunteers, especially those who will be dealing with children, money or financial information.
- Protect your organization by requesting all volunteers submit paperwork that permits a background check, as well as a signed indemnity and release form.