Why Screen Your Volunteers?
Why screen your volunteers? More than 185 volunteers and staff from a variety of organizations around the province received the answer to that question -- the easy way. They attended screening workshops facilitated by the Volunteer Resource Centre and learned about the 11 elements of screening that can help protect the safety and security of both their volunteers, and the people they serve.
Based on the success of Phase 1, the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission and the departments of Justice, Health and Community Services are providing a second year of funding to ensure that the highly rated screening workshops continue.
Volunteer Resource Centre representatives worked with the Department of Justice and police agencies to develop a protocol for obtaining police record checks in appropriate cases.
"Such checks are only one component of the screening process," said Charlotte Cochran, co-ordinator of the project. "Voluntary agencies should also conduct comprehensive interviews and reference checks; provide job descriptions, orientation and training; and follow up with supervision and evaluation."
Later this year, the Volunteer Resource Centre will offer followup sessions on interviewing and supervisory skills, areas in which participants believe further training and tools would be valuable.
Although the screening process helps organizations identify areas of risk, develop appropriate policy and implement screening methods, many organizations are slow to adopt the screening process. They fear losing volunteers and incurring prohibitive costs from conducting checks and followups. However, as Ms. Cochran states, "The costs of denial and of not acting can be far higher, as we see all too frequently on the news."
The centre is the only site in Nova Scotia designated by Volunteer Canada to deliver its National Education Campaign on screening volunteers working in positions of trust with children and other vulnerable people, such as seniors and persons with disabilities.
A registered charitable organization, the Volunteer Resource Centre is mandated to recruit and refer volunteers to community agencies that pay to receive the service.
In addition to effective screening, the Volunteer Resource Centre offers workshops in volunteer management and an awareness program for seniors.
Charlotte Cochran Volunteer Resource Centre 902-423-1368
Barbara Klass Sport and Recreation Commission 902-424-7658 E-mail: [email protected]
Michelle McKinnon Department of Justice 902-424-6811 E-mail: [email protected]
Peter Lawton Department of Health 902-424-7664 E-mail: [email protected]
Peter Lerette Department of Community Services 902-424-6072 E-mail: [email protected]