This document discusses risk assessment and management for volunteer programs. It identifies key areas of risk including what activities volunteers engage in, what could go wrong, and how likely and severe potential issues may be. The document recommends identifying risks, informing volunteers, and taking steps to minimize risks through proper screening, training, supervision and other policies and procedures. Certain volunteer positions like mentoring and home visiting require special attention due to higher inherent risks. The document also outlines legal protections for volunteers under acts like the Volunteer Protection Act.

1. INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW RISK ASSESSMENT

3. 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.

4. Clear, Consistent Volunteer Management Policies & Procedures Are the first and most important steps in risk reduction.

5. Areas of Risk

6. What’s at Risk?

7. Risk Management Process

8. Principals of Risk Management 1. Risk Analysis--Identify Review your organizations for risk potential. Specify all risks that you can identify. Goodwill People Income Property

9. 2. Risk Response--Evaluate Classify the risks in one or more of the following categories The risk must be prevented. The risk can be prevented or controlled. The risk is acceptable. The risk requires insurance to limit exposure Next. . .

10. 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.

11. Policies and Procedures Screening to include: application, background checks, interview, reference checks Risk evaluation of project sites and projects Supervision Orientation Training Waiver forms Others as appropriate for position

12. What’s More Risky? Lower Risk Painting, gardening Event planning and assistance Office/admin. support Speaker’s bureau Sorting/distributing food, clothing Higher Risk 1-1 Mentoring/tutoring Home visiting Transportation Survivor/victim assistance Meal delivery Board membership

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

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

15. 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. . .

16. Youth Volunteers 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 resources Nonprofit Risk Management Center—”Fact Sheet” http://www.nonprofitrisk.org/tools/workplace-safety/nonprofit/c6/youth.htm

17. Contact the experts Insurance Agent—check liability coverage Lawyer—review policies, procedures, and forms Identify special issues related to vulnerable populations, use of power tools, youth engagement, etc. Work with the organization’s Human Resources

18. 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 Risks Inform individuals involved of those risks Take steps to minimize risk i.e. provide appropriate equipment, tools, and training .

19. VOLUNTEER LIABILITY 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.

20. Michigan Laws Provide some protected status to volunteers acting on behalf of governmental agencies. Some examples include: Volunteer disaster worker Public school volunteers Medical Good Samaritan

21. 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.

22. 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. DISCUSSION

23. Summary Questions, Feedback Please complete and return your evaluation form. Your input is appreciated.