Resources

Information, research, and resources strengthen the nonprofit sector.

We have gathered some key resources that shed light on the different ways the nonprofit sector, volunteerism, and civic engagement support our society. We continue to monitor social trends, explore statistical information, and gather inspiring resources that support you in your day-to-day work.

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Top Resources

Video

Developing Screening Policies and Assessing Risk

Join us in this recording as we delve into the essentials of crafting effective policies and risk assessment in your volunteer program. Here’s what we’ll be covering:

  • Good Practices for Writing Policy – Learn how to set the foundation for a successful volunteer program
  • How to Perform a Risk Assessment – Use VA’s risk assessment matrix to evaluate and manage risks
  • Policies to Mitigate Risk – Explore policies that can help minimize potential risks

Learn the basics of policy development and understand how to identify potential risks and liabilities as it relates to volunteer screening.

TemplateTool

Virtual Volunteer Risk Assessment Matrix

Using the Virtual Volunteer Risk Assessment Matrix, you can determine the level of risk for program participants and virtual volunteers, and the necessary level of screening for your volunteer positions according to multiple categories. Your organization can use these levels of risk to develop screening policies and procedures.

Template

Risk Assessment Checklist

This template aims to guide you along with some important questions to ask when conducting a risk assessment of your volunteer program, simplified into two easy steps: Risk Identification and Making a Plan.

TemplateTool

Virtual Volunteer Position Description, Risk and Policy Considerations: Template, Discussion, Examples

This template supports virtual volunteer position descriptions to include risk assessments and policy considerations. Aligning the various responsibilities of virtual volunteer positions with potential risks and related policies can inform screening processes and the development and/or refinement of policies. Includes a blank template, discussion, and three examples: Friendly Caller/Visitor, Online ESL Conversation Facilitator, and Social Media Coordinator.

TemplateTool

Volunteer Risk Assessment Matrix

This template supports volunteer position descriptions to include risk assessments and policy considerations. Aligning responsibilities with potential risks and related policies can inform the screening processes and the development and/or refinement of policies

TemplateTool

Volunteer Position Description, Risk and Policy Considerations: Template, Discussion, Example

This template supports volunteer position descriptions to include risk assessments and policy considerations. Includes a blank template, discussion and example of Head Coach for a Sports Organization

Video

CONNECT Call: Insurance & Volunteers 101

Our friendly and knowledgeable partners from the Co-operators will be available to provide an overview of volunteer risk management and will be happy to answer any questions you may have about volunteer screening and mitigating risk, insurance when developing volunteer programming, and the basics of insurance that volunteer specialists should be aware of.

This is a members-only resource. Log in or become a member to access this content.

Other

Sector Source

Sector Source is a project of Imagine Canada and the legacy of the Nonprofit Library and Risk Management and Insurance and Liability Resource Centre. Their resources range from practical tools that support organizational effectiveness to current research about the charitable and nonprofit sector.