Comments on: Better Safe Than Sorry…Managing Risk in Your Volunteer Program http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program Maine Conversations about Volunteer Management Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:34:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Anne Schink http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-329 Anne Schink Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:19:36 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-329 In addition to a broader definition of which populations require a higher level of background check, I think we should add that how a person uses the information is as important as the result. Should a DUI be considered on its face a bar to volunteering at a particular site? Maybe not. But a reckless driving conviction might definitely be a bar against driving teenagers to an event in an agency van. But even then, the offense needs to be considered in the context of the volunteer opportunity and the people the volunteer will be dealing with. In addition to a broader definition of which populations require a higher level of background check, I think we should add that how a person uses the information is as important as the result. Should a DUI be considered on its face a bar to volunteering at a particular site? Maybe not. But a reckless driving conviction might definitely be a bar against driving teenagers to an event in an agency van. But even then, the offense needs to be considered in the context of the volunteer opportunity and the people the volunteer will be dealing with.

]]> By: Dorothy Grannell http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-313 Dorothy Grannell Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:27:24 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-313 This is a reply to Peggy where a person had not reoffended for 40 years. In most states, if a person has not reoffended in 10 years, his or her name comes off the list of offenders and he or she is not required to report the conviction. This would not be true for sexual preditors but for non-violent crimes it would be. I do not know what the rule is in Maine however. A Also, I appreciate Trudy adding the term vulnerable populations to the list of groups that should not be exposed to those with criminal records if the volunteer would be working in a one-on-one or unsupervised setting such as a driver for medical appointments. This is a reply to Peggy where a person had not reoffended for 40 years. In most states, if a person has not reoffended in 10 years, his or her name comes off the list of offenders and he or she is not required to report the conviction. This would not be true for sexual preditors but for non-violent crimes it would be. I do not know what the rule is in Maine however. A

Also, I appreciate Trudy adding the term vulnerable populations to the list of groups that should not be exposed to those with criminal records if the volunteer would be working in a one-on-one or unsupervised setting such as a driver for medical appointments.

]]> By: Penny Kern http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-295 Penny Kern Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:46:55 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-295 Background checks have always caused a sticking point with me also. I totally understood their usefulness when I worked for the Girl Scouts. I was also under the impression that it was federal mandate when working with a vulnerable population. However, with some other organizations I've volunteered for, I wonder. One case in particular happened just this year. I have known this man for about 5 years. Great guy. Helped beyond belief in several organizations. Last year, one organization initiated background checks on all volunteers. He didn't show up. Then, another organization, taking their example, ran an even deeper background check and found a conviction on this man way back when he was very young - I think 19. He's now in his 60's. All the organizations dropped him as a volunteer. So, did they drop him because he was a risk (after almost 40 years of a clean record) or was it organizational image? In Aroostook County, someone would remember this happened 40 years ago, I'm sure. And what is right? As a person who wants to make sure everyone is safe, hum... If this man came to my aide, would I let him help - you bet. It's a very confusing issue, that's for sure. Background checks have always caused a sticking point with me also. I totally understood their usefulness when I worked for the Girl Scouts. I was also under the impression that it was federal mandate when working with a vulnerable population. However, with some other organizations I’ve volunteered for, I wonder. One case in particular happened just this year. I have known this man for about 5 years. Great guy. Helped beyond belief in several organizations. Last year, one organization initiated background checks on all volunteers. He didn’t show up. Then, another organization, taking their example, ran an even deeper background check and found a conviction on this man way back when he was very young - I think 19. He’s now in his 60’s. All the organizations dropped him as a volunteer. So, did they drop him because he was a risk (after almost 40 years of a clean record) or was it organizational image? In Aroostook County, someone would remember this happened 40 years ago, I’m sure. And what is right?

As a person who wants to make sure everyone is safe, hum… If this man came to my aide, would I let him help - you bet.

It’s a very confusing issue, that’s for sure.

]]> By: Trudy Hamilton http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-291 Trudy Hamilton Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:01:52 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-291 I would argue that Criminal Background Checks should be done on any volunteer working with a vulnerable population, not just children. If it must be done for your employees, it should be done for your volunteers. Another issue is contractual law. If you are working with some state or federally granted programs, it may be required by contract. And then there is honesty...if a person states they have no record, and then one shows up, how can you, as their Volunteer Manager, trust them? Additionally, if they say no history and you do not follow through, and then an issue arises that could have been brought to light from a background check, how much credibility do you and your program lose? What risk are you placing yourself and your organization at? $15.00 for a basic Criminal Background check. Fixing bad PR and paying the price to repair your organization's reputation? Priceless. I would argue that Criminal Background Checks should be done on any volunteer working with a vulnerable population, not just children. If it must be done for your employees, it should be done for your volunteers.

Another issue is contractual law. If you are working with some state or federally granted programs, it may be required by contract.

And then there is honesty…if a person states they have no record, and then one shows up, how can you, as their Volunteer Manager, trust them? Additionally, if they say no history and you do not follow through, and then an issue arises that could have been brought to light from a background check, how much credibility do you and your program lose? What risk are you placing yourself and your organization at?

$15.00 for a basic Criminal Background check. Fixing bad PR and paying the price to repair your organization’s reputation? Priceless.

]]> By: Joan Bailey http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-288 Joan Bailey Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:03:38 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-288 Risk Management is an integral part of my work as a volunteer coordinator, and I enjoyed this post. However, this line from troubled me: “You will often deter unwanted volunteers simply by asking “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” directly on the application.” I struggle with criminal background checks. While I certainly see their validity, one of my concerns is that a question like this would deter a potential volunteer. Someone who may have much to offer and much to gain by working with us will self-select out of volunteering. A pair of capable hands that are perhaps most in need of gaining self-confidence and a place in our society will shift away from meaningful work with us. I realize my responsibility to those our organization serves, our volunteers, our staff, and our community, but am I not working for an organization that does what it does because so much of our society is poorly served and discriminated against for one reason or another? If someone has been convicted and served their time (paid their dues to society, as it were), is it right to assume that now they are forever bad? What if they want to volunteer in an effort to be truly helpful, to make a positive change where perhaps they made a negative impact previously? I understand liability and risk management. I care deeply about the work our organization does in the community and our mission. I want our volunteers, tenants, staff, and community to be as safe as possible. Yet, I do not want to deter a potential volunteer who may have much to offer and much to gain by working with us. Risk Management is an integral part of my work as a volunteer coordinator, and I enjoyed this post. However, this line from troubled me: “You will often deter unwanted volunteers simply by asking “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” directly on the application.”

I struggle with criminal background checks. While I certainly see their validity, one of my concerns is that a question like this would deter a potential volunteer. Someone who may have much to offer and much to gain by working with us will self-select out of volunteering. A pair of capable hands that are perhaps most in need of gaining self-confidence and a place in our society will shift away from meaningful work with us.

I realize my responsibility to those our organization serves, our volunteers, our staff, and our community, but am I not working for an organization that does what it does because so much of our society is poorly served and discriminated against for one reason or another? If someone has been convicted and served their time (paid their dues to society, as it were), is it right to assume that now they are forever bad? What if they want to volunteer in an effort to be truly helpful, to make a positive change where perhaps they made a negative impact previously?

I understand liability and risk management. I care deeply about the work our organization does in the community and our mission. I want our volunteers, tenants, staff, and community to be as safe as possible. Yet, I do not want to deter a potential volunteer who may have much to offer and much to gain by working with us.

]]> By: Sue Massey http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program/comment-page-1#comment-283 Sue Massey Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:23:30 +0000 http://www.volunteermaine.org/blog/better-safe-than-sorrymanaging-risk-in-your-volunteer-program#comment-283 I like your writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you. - Sue. I like your writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.

- Sue.

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