Nonprofit Insights: Stories & Solutions Shaping the Future of Volunteer Screening

Stories & Solutions Shaping the Future of

Volunteer Screening

Nonprofit Insights Webinar presented by:Basil Sadiq, Marketing Manager, VolunteerMatchNaomi Inman, Webinar Host, Nonprofit Consultant

Shirell Hennessy, Senior Marketing Manager, SureID

June 1, 2017

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Today’s webinar sponsor

VolunteerMatch Overview“VolunteerMatch strengthens communities by making it

easier for good people and good causes to connect.”

113,266 organizations… 102,581 opportunities…

12,096,739 connections since 1998

• VolunteerMatch has been around for 19 years, and is the top-ranked website for online volunteer recruitment and employeevolunteer programs.

• Our Learning Center offers over 20 webinar topics focused on volunteer management and VolunteerMatch tools, serving an audience of over 8,000 attendees each year.

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• Common Challenges for Nonprofits in Screening Volunteers

• Take the Stage: What’s Your Experience Screening Volunteers?

• In the News: Nonprofits and Background Screens

• Tips to help you SPOT and STOP dishonest volunteer applicants

• Best Practices and Solutions for Screening Volunteers

Today’s Discussion Topics

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Verifying Identity

• Having a foolproof identity verification process.

• Most nonprofits are currently verifying identity with information the volunteer provides (online or on paper).

Background Screening

• Not having adequate backgroundscreening criteria for vetting volunteers.

• How to implement recurring screens to manage risk.

Cost & Inconvenience

• Cost, inconvenience and lack of familiarity with background screening practices.

• Volunteer contribution as a way to offset costs.

Common Challenges for NonprofitsFrom our survey of 643 nonprofits, 2200 Volunteers (Feb. 2017)

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Screening Self-Assessment Checklist

Legal Agreements: What types of legal and service agreements have we developed involving how we identity proof and background screen volunteers?

Systems in Place: Does my organization have a system in place to properly vet volunteers before they are granted access?

Verifying Identity: Is my organization performing identity audits on volunteers to ensure our standards are adhered to?

Recurring Screens: Are my volunteers subject to recurring screens during the lifecycle of their service to my organization?

Identify Disqualifiers: Are we able to quickly and confidently identify individuals who no longer qualify to perform duties at our organization?

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“Maddie” from East Coast animal shelter.

“T.R.” from Southern US nonprofit.

“Troy” A concerned volunteer.

“Kendall” Major civic institution.

Stories we’ve heard from you…

Send your questions and comments now in the comments section on GoToWebinar.Participate in our Twitter Poll at #VMLearn.

“Evelyn” from United Way. Losing a volunteer.

“Launa” a Volunteer Manager’s experience.

“Pamela” a Volunteer Coordinator. Screening success.

TAKE THE STAGE: What’s Your Experience?

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Story #1: “Maddie” from

East Coast animal shelter.

Volunteer dishonest about criminal record. Now what?




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Story #2“TR” from Southern US

Crisis Management work.

“If they won’t consent, we don’t need them and we won’t use them.”




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Story #3“Troy” from CaliforniaA concerned volunteer.

“It reflects negatively on organizations who don’t vet volunteers.”




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Story #4“Kendall” from West Coast

Audit at Major Civic Institution

“It came to light…that the organization had no background screening policies for executives, employees or volunteers.”




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Story #5“Evelyn” from Southeast U.S.

Lost a tax prep volunteer.

“He was adamant that we didn’t need his driver’s license AND his SSN when doing a

background check.”




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Story #6“Launa” from a nonprofit for service to

homeless people and families.Serious about screening.

“As we walked through the paperwork…each had a strong aversion to the background screen.”




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Story #7“Pamela” Volunteer Coordinator

A screening success story.

“Our process has been wonderfully successful, both in reducing the possibility of inappropriate

hires and improving volunteer placement.”




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Marisa: What are pertinent screening questions (besides the normal)?

Mary: How are background checks done and how much does it cost? Our organization doesn’t have any funding yet.

Julie: The only screening we do is a phone interview and evaluation after they work with us. We wish we could do screening.

Questions and comments we’ve heard from you…



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In The News: Screened VolunteersKnowing your volunteer’s past lays the groundwork for your future relationship and opens doors to a meaningful volunteer experience.

Clyde Means volunteers 25 hrs. every week for Jude 22

“I live to be a better person so that when people look at me they don’t

see the one stupid, stupid thing that I did.” Clyde Means, Jude 22 Food Pantry (Las Vegas Review Journal , April 26, 2015)

Jeremy Domenico earned the Mayor’s Commendation

“If I have the means of which to help my neighbors, that's what I'll do.”

Jeremy Domenico (Fox43 News, Oct. 3, 2016)

https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/volunteer-work-helps-sex-offender-deal-with-past-build-a-future/

http://fox43.com/2016/10/03/harrisburg-volunteer-trashman-fighting-for-a-second-chance-and-a-job-he-was-promised/

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In The News: Unscreened VolunteersLack of due diligence in screening adults working with youth is unacceptable.

“[no one]…responded to multiple efforts for comment about whether Leedy had his background checked to be volunteer.”

“It’s just so easy for a predator to find their way into your organization and take advantage and

exploit children if they’re not background checked,” said Leslie Sheward, president of the Twin Towers Neighborhood Association... “You have to be

vigilant from all aspects.”(Source: Dayton Daily News, April 13, 2016)

http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/news/crime--law/registered-sex-offender-faces-federal-child-sex-charges/MuuKd9ZrJBLUXHDo221F5J/?ecmp=daytondaily_social_facebook_2014_sfp

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In The News: National Legislation

Many states, Senators, and organizations are proposing new laws to enforce mandatory access to FBI criminal background checks on organizations working with children and vulnerable populations.

2003 PROTECT Act of 2003

• Helped volunteer groups obtain national and state fingerprint based criminal history records

2003-2011 Child Safety Protection Pilot Program Findings about volunteer applicants conducted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and FBI

• 6% of 78,000 potential volunteers had criminal records• Over 40% of these had committed crimes in other states than

where they applied to volunteer• 23% provided a different name or DOB

2017 Child Protection Improvements Act of 2017 Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Al Franken (D-MN)

• Establishes a national criminal history background check system for organizations to screen employees, volunteers, and coaches serving children and other vulnerable populations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PROTECT_Act_of_2003

https://ric-zai-inc.com/Publications/cops-p260-pub.pdf

https://www.hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/releases?ID=CE523338-72CC-4382-933D-2DF69E602045

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SPOT & STOP

They apply to volunteer in a state where they do not have a criminal record*

They provide a different name or date of birth on their application*

They don’t report some or all of their criminal past*

They don’t report sex-offender registry status

They ask unusual questions or act offended about your screening process

*Indicates findings of the Child Safety Protection Pilot Program (2003-2011) report by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

They never return for your screening process, then apply at other organizations

They refuse to provide multiple identifying documents (i.e. both SSN and photo ID)

They omit or embellish past references or experience

They transpose a digit in SSN, phone, address or other identifying information

They omit past names, address history, etc. in another state or county

SPOT common tactics to avoid volunteer screening STOP risky recruits with identity + background screens

http://www.mentoring.org/new-site/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/SafetyNet_Fact_Sheet.pdf

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Best Practices for Choosing a Screening Provider

1. A professional background screenprovides unbiased vetting and a full-service, background search on your behalf.

2. In-person verification and collection of biometrics increases transparency and deters wrong-doers.

3. Verifies identity before screening to prevent inaccurate results.

4. A comprehensive nationwide search using professional and proprietary sources and verification at county courthouses to confirm findings.

5. Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliance to protect applicant from mistaken identity.

6. Offers recurring screening.

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Today we’ve discussed

• Challenges nonprofits face in screening volunteers

• A self-assessment tool to help you implement screening in your organization

• Stories from webinar attendees and stories in the news

• Tips to spot and stop common tactics by wrong-doers

• Best practices for comparing a background screen provider

• New identity solutions for screening volunteers

Identity Solutions for Volunteer Screening

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• Vetting and credentialing for managing volunteers

• Identity proofing solution helps protect your nonprofit's reputation

• Applied best practices deliver an effective risk management solution for nonprofits

The SureID

SOLUTION

SureID Certified Edge™ for Volunteers

A trusted identity that includes an optional recurring background screen on a subscription basis.

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PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION

Registrant registersonline and receives QR code

REGISTER ONLINE

• Documents reviewed

• Identity verified

• Screening occurs

IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Credential printed and shipped to volunteer

CREDENTIALING

Credential verification occurs

SCANNING

• Registration is completed onsite

at a local

Registration Station

• Biographic information (SSN,

DOB, etc.)

• Biometric (fingerprint collection)

• ID Documents captured

COMPLETE ON-SITE

In-person Registration and Verification for Volunteers:

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Easy Validation for Volunteers and Nonprofits

Scan Results:

Active: Passed background

screen, valid identity, active

with organization

Inactive: Failed background

screen, credential expired,

no longer active

with organization

Equipment:

• Conveniently located SureID Registration Stations

• Smart phone with QR reader

Credential: • QR Code

• Picture

• Name

• Issue and expiration date

• Tamper resistant

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Nonprofits: ENROLL your organization at

info.sureid.com/nonprofits

Recommend SureID to your Volunteers:

REGISTER into the program at

info.sureid.com/volunteermatch-volunteers

Getting Started with SureID is Easy

The SureID program is an end-to-end high assurance identity solution that helps

strengthen an organization’s confidence that individuals are who they claim to be.

SureID has partnered with VolunteerMatch to help nonprofit organizations increase

their ability to protect their communities and their reputation.

http://info.sureid.com/nonprofits

http://info.sureid.com/volunteermatch-volunteers

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THANK YOU

from your friends at

VolunteerMatch& SureID

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APPENDIXNonprofit Insights Webinar presented by:

Basii Sadiq, Marketing Manager, Volunteer Match

Naomi Inman, Webinar Host, Nonprofit Consultant

Shirell Hennessy, Senior Marketing Manager, SureID

June 1, 2017

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Selected Nonprofit Survey ResultsCurrent Landscape of Nonprofits (643 responses, Feb. 2017)

• Of nonprofits surveyed are concerned aboutvolunteer trustworthiness

• Have 26 or more volunteers per year

Always, often, sometimes perform a background screens

Do not verify identity

78%

57%

11%

1/3 never or rarely perform a background screen

1/3 lack familiarity with background screening services

3/4 of nonprofits say background checks are not run because they are too expensive and inconvenient

9/10 of nonprofits pay for the background screens

Rely on applications, interviews, and referencesprovided by volunteer

67%

Perform recurring background screens

32 %

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Selected Volunteer Survey ResultsCurrent Landscape of Volunteers (2200 responses, Feb. 2017)

Volunteer at two or more organizations per year

Volunteer two or more times per month

Were not required to verify identity

60%

44%

27%

9 in 10 expressed neutral or positive feelings about identity verification and background screens!

8 in 10 said they were more likely to volunteer for an organization requiring identity verification and background screens.

5 in 10 are interested in obtaining a verified identity and screen to use for multiple organizations.

Have received a background check

74%

Volunteer two or more times per year

77%

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In The News: Fraud & Embezzlement

Accounting Professional and “Volunteer Treasurer” embezzles over $30,000.

“The board plans to repair credibility by hiring a professional accountant for the next two years

at …$300 to $400 a month.

Now, it’ll cost what would otherwise cover a couple of student scholarships each year.”

(Source: Akron Beacon Journal March 2015)

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/stow-schools-foundation-accuses-volunteer-treasurer-of-stealing-student-scholarship-money-1.578257

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In The News: Fraud & EmbezzlementThe Washington Post reported (Oct. 26, 2013)

• from 2008 to 2012, more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations disclosed hundreds of millions in losses attributed to theft, fraud, embezzlement… of assets. Nonprofits and religious organizations suffer one-sixth of all major embezzlements.

Venable LLP Nonprofit Alert

• Background checks on new employees and volunteer leaders can unearth things such as undisclosed criminal records, prior instances of fraud, and heavy debt loads that can make it more likely that an employee or volunteer leader might succumb to fraud…

Mondaq Report (May 12, 2017)

• Not-for-profit organizations should conduct background checks on… anyone else who might handle cash… Keeping a would-be fraudster out of the organization is well worth the cost of a background check.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/inside-the-hidden-world-of-thefts-scams-and-phantom-purchases-at-the-nations-nonprofits/2013/10/26/825a82ca-0c26-11e3-9941-6711ed662e71_story.html

https://www.venable.com/snapshotfiles/ff648290-c087-4fad-b870-11d5f9c6f35c/subscriber.snapshot?clid=c2d1036d-648d-4bf6-9ef1-4e6f4e391844&cid=eb105385-e130-4192-baac-645b9103555b&ce=j/yrgk+auwmbpes8l+x5khe97hychxsw

http://www.mondaq.com/unitedstates/x/593726/Charities+Non-Profits/Fraud+and+the+NotforProfit+Organization+How+to+Counter+Your+Vulnerabilities

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Today’s webinar sponsor *Includes multi-facility

SureID® is the leading provider of proven high-assurance identity solutions for individuals, professionals and enterprise. The SureID program combines registration, identity authentication, biometrics, recurring background screening, credentialing and identity management.

SureID has identity proofed and credentialed over 1.4 million employees of more than 78,000* small, medium, and large companies actively participate in SureID programs.

Company Overview

RAPIDGate Wins Best

Integrated System, 2014

RAPIDGate Earns

SAFETY Act

Certification, 2014

SureID Certified Edge

Wins Best Hosted /

Managed Service, 2017

SureID Earns FBI Fingerprint

Certification 2017

FoundedNovember 2001

HeadquartersHillsboro, Oregon

Corporate OfficesAlexandria, Virginia

Minot, North Dakota

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Initial Screen

• Name, SSN Validation and Address History Search (7-year development)

• National Criminal Database (NCD): Nationwide criminal search of all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam

• National Sex Offender Registry: Search registries of all 50 states

• Government Watch Lists: Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC), FBI Most Wanted, I.C.E., Interpol Most Wanted, etc.

• County Criminal Search: Review of County Court Records for counties lived in the last 10 years, including verification of any possible hits found in the NCD

• Federal Criminal Search: Search of federal court records.

Recurring Screen

• Automatic check performed quarterly

• Automatic “inactive” status upon failure

Background Screen Overview

SureID Background Screen

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Disqualifications

• SSN Fail

• Registered Sex Offender

• Open Criminal Warrant (Felony and Misdemeanor)

• Confirmed hit on Watch List

• Felony conviction in the past seven years

• Misdemeanor convictions in the past seven years

Redress Process

• Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) compliant process

• Registrant receives copy of results and takes steps to redress if something is incorrect

Disqualification Criteria

Government & Nonprofit

Nonprofit Insights: Stories & Solutions Shaping the Future of Volunteer Screening