Volunteer Risk is a key concern for nonprofits, even though volunteers form the heart of your organization. Without their dedication, many nonprofits couldn’t meet their goals. However, volunteers can present liability risks — from on-site injuries to intentional misconduct. Just one incident may turn a successful fundraising campaign into a legal cost center.
A helpful reference here is the Volunteer Protection Act, which offers legal shields for volunteers under certain conditions. You can learn more about it here
Let’s look at the four ways to reduce volunteer risk:
1. Establish Volunteer Policies
With the help of an attorney, preferably one who donates time as an in-kind donation, your nonprofit should establish a set of policies that describe volunteer duties, as well as address legal issues such as harassment and discrimination. By clearly defining what constitutes unacceptable behavior, your nonprofit organization can receive legal protections that prevent the filing of civil lawsuits. Volunteer policies also should include language that explains the expectations your nonprofit has for its volunteers.
One of the most important sections of your nonprofit’s volunteer policies is the job description section, which includes information about your nonprofit’s mission and the duties expected for each volunteer position.
2. Require Completion of an Application
Requiring volunteers to complete an application accomplishes two important objectives. First, you gain insight into a volunteer’s background, which includes confirmation from multiple references concerning a volunteer’s skill set and character. Second, an application should include a section that waives your organization’s legal liability for any legal issues that arise from the involvement of a volunteer. Make sure to target the content of an application to the type of position sought by a volunteer. For example, an application for a volunteer responsible for child care should be more complex than the application used to screen volunteers for strictly manual labor work.
3. Properly Screen Candidates – Volunteer Risk
After you obtain the volunteer information presented on applications, conduct a comprehensive screening of each candidate. This is especially important for volunteers that want to help out with a vulnerable segment of the population or have to drive as part of their workload. Nearly 1/3 of all nonprofit organizations do not screen candidates, which leaves them highly vulnerable to legal liability.
Your nonprofit’s volunteer screening process should go beyond basic information gathering. It should include a thorough background check to identify any criminal history, past misconduct, or other red flags that could pose a liability to your organization. In addition, it’s important to verify professional credentials, such as a contractor license, especially if the volunteer will be handling specialized tasks. This added layer of diligence helps ensure that every volunteer is both qualified and trustworthy, ultimately protecting your nonprofit’s reputation and the safety of those it serves.
4. Offer Thorough Training
You should never allow a volunteer to work unsupervised without first providing comprehensive training. Hand out written materials that explain how volunteers should approach their work. In addition, assign a staff member to provide hands-on training for each type of volunteer position. Training includes defining your nonprofit’s code of conduct. You also should educate each volunteer on how to report any problems.
Create a manual that is similar to the employee manual handed out by for-profit organizations. Use the manual as an educational training tool during orientation, which can be held in both group and one-on-one settings.
At Ernst Wintter & Associates LLP, we provide comprehensive audit, review, examination and compilation services as well as tax services that fit your business needs. Our professionals have specific expertise in the financial services industry, nonprofit sector, and employee benefit plan audit requirements. Please contact us today.
