Volunteer Program Intake and Screening
The prompt
$18
Why this works
Designing the intake process around the populations served (youth, vulnerable adults, general public) before defining screening requirements ensures the level of screening is proportionate to the risk — volunteer programs serving children require criminal background checks and reference checks that a food bank volunteer program does not. The training-before-placement step prevents volunteers from interacting with clients before they understand program protocols, which is both a safety and quality issue. Including an application volume estimate prevents designing a process that can't be sustained at scale.
Risks & review
Background check requirements for volunteers working with vulnerable populations may be legally mandated in your state or by your funders — confirm applicable requirements with your legal advisor before finalising your screening policy. Also ensure your background check process complies with applicable fair chance hiring laws, which are increasingly applying to volunteer screening as well as employment.