Volunteer Screening
It is preferable that your Community Adult Learning Program has several screening steps in place before welcoming a volunteer into your program. Screening is your opportunity to evaluate an individual’s suitability for the role of volunteer tutor. Recently Volunteer Alberta introduced a Goals-Based Approach to Volunteer Screening: How to Nourish Relationships and Trust in Volunteer Programming:
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. Screening is a process with complementary goals.
Opportunities for early relationship building include:
- Volunteer application form
- Volunteer interview (telephone and/or in person)
- Resume
- References
- Police Information Check
- Orientation
- Training
While this list may seem daunting, these steps are scalable. An interview can be a casual conversation, orientation might mean showing the volunteer around, and an application form could just capture name and contact information so you have it for your records.
Downloadable Resources
- Sample Volunteer Application with Tips for CALP Staff
- Customizable Volunteer Application Form Template (WORD)
- Sample Volunteer Tutor Reference Check Template
Find out more in this 10 Steps to Screening video from Volunteer Canada.
Also available from Volunteer Alberta, adapted from Volunteer Canada’s Screening Handbook, a concise version of 10 Steps to Screening handout.