Adapted from Volunteer Canada’s Screening Handbook, a concise version of 10 Steps to Screening. Adopt these in your screening practices and policies to help find the best volunteer match

Watch our webinar on the 10 Steps to Screening and learn tips and tricks to incorporate these steps in their screening practices

Thanks to work funded by City of Calgary FCSS and the ongoing work and friendship of Dr Moyo Mutamba, Volunteer Connector was able to complete the start of a deeper dive into understanding the colonial structures inherent in volunteerism. Here is an excerpt from the report:

“We can assume that asking racialized people to interact with the police to request a police check could be triggering, but we would be remiss in not understanding more about this experience. How many people are affected by this potentially harmful practice and what other barriers do BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) volunteers face in the sector? We knew that to get a clear picture of these issues in our sector, we needed concrete data from volunteers.”

This insights report explores the motivations, benefits, challenges, and supports that shape volunteer participation. Based on responses from over 800 volunteers, this report centers how highly engaged individuals and volunteers define, experience, and reflect on volunteering—in their own words. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, policymaker, or volunteer yourself, we hope this report deepens your understanding of what makes volunteer experiences meaningful.

Organizations can use this Audit Tool to analyze their volunteer program and to identify and prioritize areas for development. In its most formal application, the Audit Tool can be used as part of a process within an organization to formally adopt the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement

During 2022, the Volunteer Screening Program (VSP) conducted various evaluations and research activities to deepen our understanding of Alberta’s volunteer screening and engagement practices and the shifting landscape that has occurred since 2017. This included identifying shared understanding, gaps in knowledge, and drawing connections between the lived experiences of the volunteers and the organizations that engage them. From these evaluative conversations, we have identified evolving good practices and issues to consider further.

During 2022, the Volunteer Screening Program conducted various evaluations and research activities to deepen our understanding of Alberta’s volunteer screening and engagement practices. This included identifying shared understanding, gaps in knowledge, and drawing connections between the lived experiences of the volunteers and the organizations that engage them. From these evaluative conversations, we have identified evolving good practices and issues to consider further.

This report details our approach, methods, analysis, and dives into what was asked and what was heard from our various evaluations and research activities, including focus groups and large benchmark surveys.

Managing background checks can be challenging; we totally get it. That’s why we are excited to invite you to learn about background checks in a fast, interactive session—gameshow style! Learn what background checks reveal, common misconceptions, and pick up a few new facts, all while testing your knowledge in a fun way.

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:

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

Learn the basics of developing volunteer position descriptions and explore a relationship-based approach to volunteer screening and learn how to craft roles that resonate. This 2023 webinar covers:

• Elements of a Volunteer Position Description: Create roles that match your organization’s goals with the skills of potential volunteers
• The Volunteer HR Process: Learn how policies and legislation come into play when crafting volunteer roles
• Concrete Examples: Gain insight from real-world examples so that you can begin to draft your own volunteer positions
• Current Volunteer Trends: Learn what research says volunteers are interested in and who they are

In this quick 12-minute learning opportunity, we discuss what your organization might consider when requesting Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSCs) for volunteers and also share points around general good practices for screening volunteers.

Learn why newcomers engage in volunteering, understand what inspires them to volunteer, and how organizations can craft opportunities that align with their unique goals. Join us for a conversation with Immigrant Services Calgary as they share strategies for supporting newcomers and creating meaningful connections through volunteer screening and as we present preliminary data from our 2024 Newcomer Volunteerism survey.

Use this tipsheet to showcase different ways to get involved for first-time volunteers. Start a conversation or use this tipsheet as part of your recruitment presentations and highlight current opportunities you have available

Learn an alternative approach to the 10-step volunteer screening process. Placing emphasis on safety and trust, this flexible approach will empower organizations to cultivate meaningful connections and adapt screening practices to reflect their unique community, fostering a more inclusive and collaborative volunteer environment.

This tip sheet highlights some good practices for organizations to consider when screening volunteers during a pandemic.

This tip sheet highlights ideas for consideration when sharing volunteers between organizations

This tipsheet highlights Volunteer Alberta’s good practices for safely volunteering during Covid-19

Organizations are struggling to attract more volunteers, but doing more of the same types of things isn’t working. Social media posts seem to go ignored. Traditional media isn’t what it used to be. Putting up posters, if you can even find a place, doesn’t seem to produce results. So what can you do differently? Join Scott Lundell, Volunteerism and Programs Specialist with ECVO to explore different thinking that will enhance your existing recruitment strategies.

A 2023 report by Volunteer Canada advocating for the development of a National Volunteer Action Strategy. This report identifies a national strategy as essential to unify all of Canada to work towards a shared vision for inclusive participation and systems that recognizes, amplifies, and supports the ways in which volunteerism builds a stronger Canada.

Join us for a 20-minute webinette that makes understanding background checks easier. You’ll learn about the types of information disclosed, how to manage the process, and how to respond to findings. We hope to build your confidence in managing background checks effectively!

Guidelines for police information and vulnerable sector check disclosures for police and RCMP detachments in Alberta from the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police

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.

Join us in this version of our Risk Assessments and You presentation, customized for specifically those watching virtually and not part of a live recording. In this presentation, you will learn more about the myths of risk, what a risk assessment can look like, and helpful tips to help your organization address risks.

This workbook is a step-by-step guide to developing policies and processes for effective volunteer screening

Let’s face it – effective volunteer screening practices are the most important part of volunteer engagement work. It is vital to the success of your organization, and its mission, to find the best people for your volunteer roles. Implementing an effective screening and engagement process is a daunting task. This recorded webinar presentation provides an overview of the screening process and will help you learn about screening from a variety of different perspectives.

Volunteer Canada created the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement (CCVI) to support organizations that engage volunteers. The CCVI is a guide for involving volunteers in all levels of an organization. This includes volunteers working in leadership, direct service and virtual roles.

From Volunteer Canada, this guide is a valuable resource to better match people and organizations,improve the safety and quality of programs in communities, and reduce risks and liability

With the Three Keys to Screening webinar series, take a high-level approach to the ’10 Steps to Screening’ and find the right fit for your organization by screening volunteers in, not out.

Watch this 30-minute insider session to explore parts of the Volunteer Screening Policies Guidebook, practical tips you can apply right away, and guidance on where to start.

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.