risk assessment - volunteer engagement

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW

RISK ASSESSMENT

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What is risk assessment?The identification, assessment and prioritization of

risk followed by an action to minimize, monitor or control the effects.

To utilize pre-set plans or procedures to control situations that may be potentially harmful to your organization, program, volunteers or clients.

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Clear, Consistent

Volunteer Management Policies & Procedures

Are the first and most important steps in risk reduction.

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Areas of Risk

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What’s at Risk?

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Risk Management Process

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Principals of Risk Management

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1. Risk Analysis--Identify Review your organizations for risk potential.

Specify all risks that you can identify. Goodwill People Income Property

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2. Risk Response--Evaluate

Classify the risks in one or more of the following categoriesThe risk must be prevented.The risk can be prevented or controlled.The risk is acceptable.The risk requires insurance to limit exposure

Next. . .

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Finally. . .

3. Control Risks—Risk Review

Create a plan for controlling risks.Avoid the risk situation by not engaging in the

activity.Eliminate the risk by modifying the activity.Minimize the risk by modifying the activity.Transfer financial liability through contract or

insurance.

Policies and Procedures

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Screening to include: application, background checks, interview, reference checks

Risk evaluation of project sites and projectsSupervisionOrientationTrainingWaiver formsOthers as appropriate for position

What’s More Risky?

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Lower RiskPainting, gardeningEvent planning and

assistanceOffice/admin. supportSpeaker’s bureauSorting/distributing food,

clothing

Higher Risk1-1 Mentoring/tutoringHome visitingTransportationSurvivor/victim

assistance Meal deliveryBoard membership

What are ways that risk can be mitigated particularly for those high risk volunteer positions and tasks?

DISCUSSION

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1. There are inherent risks in running a volunteer program.

2. Volunteer positions do not all have the same level of risk and therefore will have differing risk management strategies associated with them.

3. Once the risk factors are identified in a volunteer position, preventive strategies should be incorporated into the position description, screening, orientation, training and supervision of that position.

Three Things to Remember

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What do our volunteers do? (Or what new activities do we want them to do)

What could go wrong?How probable is it that it will go wrong? How serious

an issue would it be?How can we diminish the probability or protect

ourselves?Can we still ask a volunteer to do this?

Key Questions To Consider. . .

Youth Volunteers

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Many Benefits

Engaging Youthin Lifelong Service reported that adults who engaged in volunteering in their youth give more money and volunteer more time than adults who began their philanthropy later in life. (Independentsector.org)

Special Considerations

Many resourcesNonprofit Risk Management Center—”Fact Sheet”

http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/tools/workplace-safety/nonprofit/c6/youth.htm

Contact the expertsInsurance Agent—check liability coverage

Lawyer—review policies, procedures, and formsIdentify special issues related to vulnerable

populations, use of power tools, youth engagement, etc.

Work with the organization’s Human Resources

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Note:There are few overarching legal requirements when

a group of people get together to do good work as long as appropriate steps are taken to:

Identify Potential RisksInform individuals involved of those risksTake steps to minimize risk i.e. provide

appropriate equipment, tools, and training.

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VOLUNTEER LIABILITY

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The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 provides immunity for volunteers serving nonprofits or government for harm caused by their acts or omissions if:

Acting within the scope of responsibilities Volunteer was appropriately and properly licensed, certified or

authorized to act. Harm was not caused by willful, criminal, or reckless misconduct,

gross negligence or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

Michigan Laws

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Provide some protected status to volunteers acting on behalf of governmental agencies. Some examples include:

Volunteer disaster workerPublic school volunteersMedical Good Samaritan

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Review—Appropriate Roles

A volunteer position must:Meet the needs of the organization.Have an associated risk management strategy

that the organization is comfortable with.Require a reasonable amount of training.Not replace a paid position.

Review the “Fact Sheet—Volunteer Background Checks”•Which has your organization used? What are the pros/cons?•Discuss which would be appropriate for various types of volunteer positions.

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DISCUSSION

Summary

Questions, Feedback

Please complete and return your evaluation form. Your input is appreciated.

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