Risk Management and Liability Reduction
1) Screen Volunteers
Use screening techniques throughout the volunteer placement process, from creating position descriptions with specific qualifications to conducting effective interviews and requesting background checks. Screening can simplify the placement of volunteers and help ensure that you place the best volunteer candidate in each position. Establishing a basic screening process also helps to reduce risk and protect your organization’s reputation, clients, and staff. Risk management and liability reduction issues are important considerations when working with volunteers. You need to establish a risk management plan before volunteer activities begin. Your organization needs a risk management plan, because it helps protect everyone involved in the volunteer program from personal harm, property loss, and lawsuits. Your organization’s leaders, staff, and volunteers should be part of the risk management process and be aware of your policies and procedures.
When developing a risk management plan for your volunteers,
- Review and update your organization’s insurance coverage
- Review your State restrictions and regulations regarding children and youth
- Establish and follow consistent screening procedures for all volunteers
- Ask volunteers to sign volunteer agreements and liability waivers
- Establish effective supervision procedures for all volunteers
- Orient and train volunteers before they begin their work.