Unfortunately, you cannot simply trust that every individual who applies for a volunteer position truly has the mission of the organization at heart. We hope that volunteers have a sincere interest in providing quality service and the character to represent your non-profit well. Sadly, this is not always the case.
You must maintain a safe and professional environment in your organization and conducting the appropriate volunteer background checks before putting a candidate into service is the best way to accomplish this. PrescribeHire offers a range of background checking services to meet the needs of non-profits and businesses that utilize volunteers.
Verify the name, address and social security number of a volunteer in order to confirm identity.
Search for criminal history at the national level and ensure the volunteer does not appear in the sex offender registry.
Perform geographic-specific criminal and civil court checks for a volunteer to ensure no criminal charges or civil judgments have been filed against the individual.
Verify the work history and education of a volunteer, especially as it pertains to the service he or she will be providing for your organization, and authenticate the information shared on the resume or volunteer application completed by the individual.
Learn what past employers, non-profit administrators, and professional and personal references have to report on the volunteer candidate. Verify the individual’s motives, character and dedication to your cause or mission.
Rule out drug and alcohol issues with volunteers, ensuring they will represent your organization well and are safe to have around your other volunteers and the people you serve.
Verify the license and driving record of any volunteer that will be operating a vehicle while in your service, especially if they are transporting other volunteers or people you serve or operating a vehicle your organization owns.
Review the credit history of any volunteer that will hold a position of fiscal responsibility and those who have direct money handling responsibilities.
