volunteer screening
TRANSCRIPT
VOLUNTEER SCREENING
The presentation will begin momentarily. Please be certain that you have speakers connected or dial in using the phone number provided then enter the access code followed by the # sign.
Presenter: Sandra MillerConsultant/Trainer, Volunteer Centers of [email protected]
Administrator: Chelsea Martin Program Manager, Volunteer Centers of [email protected]
Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan Nonprofit Association, Volunteer Centers of Michigan, Michigan Campus Compact, and the LEAGUE Michigan with support from the Connect Michigan Alliance Endowment Fund and the Corporation for National and Community Service, are proud to support the ENGAGE Volunteer Management training series.
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Goals
• Identify the purpose and importance of volunteer screening.
• Provide specific examples for each step.
• Share tips and tools.
THE PURPOSE IS TO
Recruit and place the right person in the right position.
Resulting in. . .• Risk Management
• Rapid Onboarding
• Puts a Face to the Organization
• Effective Engagement
• Increased Retention
Risk Management
Vulnerable Populations
High Degree of Trust
Highly Skilled
• Children• Elderly• Disabled
• Confidential Information
• Money/Finances
• Licensure/Certificate• Other
Volunteer Positions Description
Recruitment Messaging & Strategies
Application
Interview
Background & Reference Checks
THE APPLICATION
Follow up the volunteer inquiry with
Information
• Contact• Availability• Skills• Interests• Relevant Experience• References• Agreements
– Volunteer Code– Background Check– Confidentiality
• “Truth Statement” (verification/consequences)
Example
Hospice of Michigan
“Volunteer Tab”
Greater Lansing Food Bank
Other Examples
• What are your expectations?• What do you hope to gain?• A skills checklist
Languages other than English Technology SkillsWritingSpeakingArtistic
• Any additional skills
Use Technology
Acrobat FormsCentral
Volunteer Registration Software—HandsOn Connect, Volunteer Match
THE INTERVIEW
Phone, in-person, team
Two Types
• Explore prospective volunteer’s interests, skills, and expectations
• Match a volunteer’s skills, interests, and expectations to a particularly volunteer position.
Interview StepsCreate A Connection
Thank the volunteer
Make Introductions
Introduce Purpose
Brief Orientation
Assessment
Ask about skills
Determine expectations
Set expectations
Respond to Questions
Anything you’d like to know
Asks about concerns
SAMPLE QUESTIONS What are your hobbies? What is your experience with ___ What attracted you to our organization? Would you rather work alone or in a group? What type of volunteer work have you done before?
What did you like best about it? Case studies/situation—How would you deal with
Questions not to ask• Age/Birthdate• Birthplace• Height & Weight• Nationality• Sex• Martial Status• Sexual Orientation• Race• Religious Affiliation• Arrest Record Anything not directly associated
with the position
BACKGROUND & REFERENCECHECKS
Establish a policy and a process
POLL
Do your volunteers work with any “vulnerable populations”?
• Children• Elderly• Disabled• Those in health care settings
Health Care Facilities“Nursing homes, county medical care facilities, hospitals with swing bed services, Medicare-certified home health agencies, intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded, and psychiatric facilities and inpatient programs shall comply with Section 333.20173a of the Public Health Code. . .These laws state that criminal background checks, including fingerprint checks, be conducted for staff hired after April 1, 2006. Individuals who have regular direct access to patients and/or their medical records or provide direct services to patients, including independent contractors and those with clinical privileges, are to be included”
www.michigan.gov
Michigan.gov
“If your program utilizes volunteers or members who work with vulnerable populations such as children or the frail elderly, it is important to perform a criminal history background check on every person who works with them. This is necessary both for the safety of those you serve and for the credibility of your program.
The Michigan State Police provides the Internet Criminal History Access Tool, or ICHAT”
Background ChecksVolunteers for Child Protection Act
• Volunteers may be fingerprinted, but are not required to be.
• Michigan provides fingerprint checks for a reduced fee
RESOURCES• iCHAT
– Free to nonprofits– 2-3 week turnaround– Michigan crimes only
• PSOR – Free and accessible list of those
on sexual offender registry
• CREDIT REPORTS
• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD
Reference Check
Sample Reference Questions:• In what capacity have you known the applicant
and for how long?• What strengths would this person bring to the
volunteer position?• How does the candidate handle frustration and
criticism while on the job?• Do you know any reason why this person
should not be considered for a volunteer position?
THE ONBOARDING PROCESS
Engage them or lose them
Map Your Organization’s Onboarding Process
Coyotecommunications.org
Speeding it up
• Use volunteer leaders• Train staff in the process• Establish email contact with
electronically generated “welcome messages” and newsletters
• Use technology—online applications, email reference forms,
• Move volunteers into short-term positions
SharingDoes you organization have any suggestions or examples of
• Ways to speech the screening process
• Application or interview questions or methods that may serve to make a good match.
• Other resources for a background check
THANK YOU
Please respond to the evaluation that you will receive by email.
Your input is valuable
January 31 —
Volunteer Orientation & Handbook
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