What You Need To Know About Volunteer Background Checks

As a volunteer organization, you want to ensure the best experience possible for both your volunteers and the people they serve.

A key piece of that puzzle is the screening of your volunteers. Should background checks be a part of that?

Why Should You Conduct Volunteer Background Checks?

Organizations need to screen their volunteers for the same reasons that companies screen employees. Despite their non-profit status, volunteer organizations still bear responsibility for those who receive their services. In many cases, parents trust them with the care of children, and adult children trust them with the care of elderly parents. If that trust is betrayed, your organization can take the hit, resulting in a loss of reputation and potentially of funding.

What Kind of Information Should You Gather?

When it comes to a volunteer background check, less is more. It’s essential that you zero in on the specific type of information that is most relevant to your organization and to that specific volunteer position. In many cases, a criminal history background check may be all you need. Depending on the position, other checks to consider include Sex Offender Checks, SSN Verification, and drug tests. Clarify what your dealbreakers are, and make an executive decision to ignore any misdeeds that do not directly impact a volunteers’ ability to provide service.

How Should You Screen Volunteers?

Fortunately, there are a number of background check companies that specialize in screening volunteers. Some of the most prestigious are Sterling Volunteers, Background Checks For Volunteers, GoodHire, and Veriswift. Any of these companies can give you an efficient solution for thoroughly screening volunteers while honoring their privacy at the same time.

Your Volunteer Background Check Policy

Before you do anything else, your organization needs to agree on and adopt a written policy governing volunteer background checks. If you are affiliated with a national organization, chances are they already have a policy in place, which you can adapt and utilize at the local level. This policy should clearly state your organization’s position and practice for conducting background checks. In addition, you will need to identify which volunteer positions require screening and the specific checks that will be required. And clearly identify the sources of information that you will use.

Does The Law Require Volunteer Background Checks?

Each state differs in its laws governing volunteer background checks. But ultimately, whether or not it is legally required, background checks for your volunteer organization are a necessity. These should be seamlessly integrated into your recruitment process. Most volunteer organizations already have a policy in place requiring the use of background checks. This is especially true if it exists within the jurisdiction of a national volunteer organization like Boys and Girls’ Club of America or Little League.

Volunteer background checks are essential for the long-term health of an organization. Contact Veriswift to find out how we can make this process as simple and painless as possible, so you can get back to what you do best: serving your community.