1. VOLUNTEER SCREENING
The presentation will begin momentarily.
Please be certain that you have
speakers connected or dial in using the
phone number provided then enter the
access code followed by the # sign.

2. Presenter: Sandra Miller
Consultant/Trainer,
Volunteer Centers of Michigan
saltzmiller@gmail.com
Administrator: Chelsea Martin
Program Manager, Volunteer Centers of Michigan
cmartin@mivolunteers.org

3. Michigan Community Service Commission, Michigan
Nonprofit Association, Volunteer Centers of Michigan,
Michigan Campus Compact, and the LEAGUE
Michigan with support from the Connect Michigan
Alliance Endowment Fund and the Corporation for
National and Community Service, are proud to
support the ENGAGE Volunteer Management training
series.

4. Goals
• Identify the purpose and importance of
volunteer screening.
• Provide specific examples for each
step.
• Share tips and tools.
4

5. THE PURPOSE IS TO
Recruit and place the right person in
the right position.

6. Resulting in. . .
• Risk Management
• Rapid Onboarding
• Puts a Face to the Organization
• Effective Engagement
• Increased Retention

7. Risk Management
Vulnerable • Children
• Elderly
Populations • Disabled
High Degree • Confidential
Information
of Trust • Money/Finances
Highly • Licensure/Certificate
Skilled • Other

8. Volunteer Positions Description
Recruitment Messaging & Strategies
Application
Interview
Background & Reference Checks

9. Follow up the volunteer inquiry with
THE APPLICATION

10. Information Example
• Contact
• Availability Hospice of Michigan
• Skills ―Volunteer Tab‖
• Interests
• Relevant Experience
• References
Greater Lansing Food Bank
• Agreements
– Volunteer Code
– Background Check
– Confidentiality
• ―Truth Statement‖
(verification/consequences)

11. Other Examples
• What are your expectations?
• What do you hope to gain?
• A skills checklist
 Languages other than English
Technology Skills
Writing
Speaking
Artistic
• Any additional skills

12. Use Technology
Acrobat FormsCentral
Volunteer Registration Software—HandsOn Connect, Volunteer Match

13. Phone, in-person, team
THE INTERVIEW

14. Two Types
• Explore prospective volunteer’s
interests, skills, and expectations
• Match a volunteer’s skills, interests, and
expectations to a particularly volunteer
position.

15. Interview Steps
Create A Connection Assessment Respond to Questions
Thank the volunteer Ask about skills Anything you’d like to know
Make Introductions Determine expectations Asks about concerns
Introduce Purpose Set expectations
Brief Orientation
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
 What are your hobbies?
 What is your experience with ___
 What attracted you to our organization?
 Would you rather work alone or in a group?
 What type of volunteer work have you done before?
What did you like best about it?
 Case studies/situation—How would you deal with

16. Questions not to ask
• Age/Birthdate
• Birthplace
• Height & Weight
• Nationality
• Sex
• Martial Status
• Sexual Orientation
• Race
• Religious Affiliation
• Arrest Record  Anything not directly associated
with the position

17. Establish a policy and a process
BACKGROUND & REFERENCE
CHECKS

18. POLL
Do your volunteers work with any ―vulnerable populations‖?
• Children
• Elderly
• Disabled
• Those in health care settings

19. Health Care Facilities
“Nursing homes, county medical care facilities, hospitals with
swing bed services, Medicare-certified home health agencies,
intermediate care facilities for mentally retarded, and
psychiatric facilities and inpatient programs shall comply with
Section 333.20173a of the Public Health Code. . .These laws
state that criminal background checks, including fingerprint
checks, be conducted for staff hired after April 1, 2006.
Individuals who have regular direct access to patients
and/or their medical records or provide direct services to
patients, including independent contractors and those with
clinical privileges, are to be included”
www.michigan.gov

20. Michigan.gov
―If your program utilizes volunteers or
members who work with vulnerable
populations such as children or the frail
elderly, it is important to perform a criminal
history background check on every person
who works with them. This is necessary both
for the safety of those you serve and for the
credibility of your program.
The Michigan State Police provides the
Internet Criminal History Access Tool, or
ICHAT”

21. Background Checks
Volunteers for Child
Protection Act RESOURCES
• Volunteers may be • iCHAT
– Free to nonprofits
fingerprinted, but are not – 2-3 week turnaround
required to be. – Michigan crimes only
• PSOR
• Michigan provides – Free and accessible list of those
fingerprint checks for a on sexual offender registry
reduced fee
• CREDIT REPORTS
• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD

22. Reference Check
Sample Reference Questions:
• In what capacity have you known the
applicant and for how long?
• What strengths would this person bring to
the volunteer position?
• How does the candidate handle frustration
and criticism while on the job?
• Do you know any reason why this person
should not be considered for a volunteer
position?

23. Engage them or lose them
THE ONBOARDING PROCESS

24. Map Your Organization’s Onboarding Process
Coyotecommunications.org

25. Speeding it up
• Use volunteer leaders
• Train staff in the process
• Establish email contact with
electronically generated ―welcome
messages‖ and newsletters
• Use technology—online applications,
email reference forms,
• Move volunteers into short-term
positions

26. Sharing
Does you organization have any
suggestions or examples of
• Ways to speech the screening process
• Application or interview questions or
methods that may serve to make a good
match.
• Other resources for a background check

27. THANK YOU
Please respond to the evaluation that you
will receive by email.
Your input is valuable
January 31 —
Volunteer Orientation & Handbook
27