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Developing: Informing Applicants of Risks and Responsibilities

When you are determining if a particular volunteer will fit well with your MRC, the prospective volunteer applicant will need to decide if this is the type of commitment of time and energy that he or she wants to make. Screening works both ways.

You do not want people volunteering with false impressions. When informing applicants of risks and responsibilities:

Tell applicants how much time they will need to give to training and other exercises.
Inform them about the types of duties they might anticipate during utilization.
Tell applicants what you expect regarding availability during times of community need.
Inform them of the risks involved in volunteering for the MRC. This can be difficult, challenging work. In some cases, volunteers will be involved in work that may put themselves or others at risk for harm, and therefore at risk for being sued.

To make their best decision, volunteers will need to be apprised of your local volunteer protection statutes and any limits that may apply regarding professional or general liability. They will need to know if their volunteer activities will be covered by any form of workers compensation should they become injured while volunteering with the MRC. You will want to inform them of the measures that have been taken to decrease the likelihood of their incurring liability for behavior leading to someone’s unintended harm.

The intention is not to dissuade prospective volunteers, but to be realistic. Considering these complex issues will reassure volunteers that they are joining a responsible organization that takes the need to protect everyone from unnecessary harm seriously.

In short, as you negotiate the complex process of screening volunteers, it is important to remember that the interview will ideally be a two-way exchange. In addition to collecting information about the prospect, provide as much information as possible about the MRC to the potential volunteer.

Providing this information is as essential to volunteer satisfaction as fulfilling the MRC unit’s legal obligations.

From the start, foster a culture of no-nonsense, honest, and open communication. It will prove essential to each aspect of the volunteer’s experience with the MRC, particularly during times of highly coordinated utilization with your response partners.

Volunteer Responsibilities and Risks

Time required for meetings, training, and conducting exercises
Types of duties possible during volunteer utilization
Expected availability during times of community nee
Legal liability and other risks of harm
Available workers compensation and disability protections

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Last Updated on 8/21/2006