We all would like to think our volunteers are loving people eager to help. For the most part that’s true, but we have all heard the horror stories of what could and unfortunately has happened. As nonprofit leaders, the buck stops with us, and we need to carefully evaluate the volunteers who are working with our patients, children and the elderly.
The corporate world has learned not screening their employees could result in corruption, theft, costly litigation and investigations.
Nonprofits should be thinking the same way. In many cases, the nonprofit environment is even riskier. Nonprofits often serve the most vulnerable members of society and it’s our job to protect those we serve.
Technology has advanced, and as a result, screening has become less expensive. In many cases, background screening companies, have reduced nonprofit rates while still maintaining crucial FCRA compliance.
For many nonprofits, their volunteers are the face of the organization. In many ways, they are your brand and certainly impact your image. Any negative incident even one of your volunteers is involved in can damage your brand and potentially be extremely costly.
Certain volunteer positions are more sensitive than others and certain volunteers may not qualify for one position, but could do another. Think about the volunteer positions you need to fill and what you need to know about the volunteer candidate. For example, an MVR screen would be appropriate for a volunteer who would be driving a company-owned vehicle versus a position dealing with sensitive financial information where a credit check and criminal screen could be necessary.
Nonprofits tend to work with tight budgets. Reducing risk can ensure that unexpected penalties and fees don’t occur in the future. But there are also other serious risks to avoid, like compliance, liability, public safety and unwanted media attention and ultimately the protection of those we work with and those we serve!
Axcet HR Solutions partners with leading background screening providers to help you recruit the right volunteers and employees while minimizing risk. Our certified HR consultants bring deep talent management consulting expertise to every step of the hiring process—from recruitment to retention—so you can build a strong, reliable team.
Learn how we support Kansas City organizations like yours: Visit our Recruiting & Hiring page or call us at 800-801-7557.
Written by
Jeanette Coleman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the Director of Human Resources at Axcet HR Solutions, where she has contributed her expertise for over 21 years.
As a leader in the HR industry, she holds advanced certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Jeanette oversees HR strategy and operations, ensuring Axcet delivers exceptional HR services that help small and mid-sized businesses stay compliant and grow.
With a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Keller Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Kansas State University, Jeanette is well-equipped to lead and support clients in navigating complex HR challenges.
Throughout her 15-year tenure as Director of Human Resources, she has been instrumental in positioning Axcet as the Midwest’s largest and premier Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Her previous roles at Axcet include Director of Employee Benefits and Senior HR Consultant, where she gained extensive experience in HR outsourcing, payroll administration, and employee risk management.
Jeanette’s leadership reflects her deep commitment to helping businesses thrive through strategic, compliance-driven HR solutions. Through her writing, she shares insights on HR strategy, compliance, and best practices to help employers confidently manage their workforce.
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