Why Screen Volunteers? Treating Volunteer Background Checks the Same as Full-Time Employees

From school and community events to hospice and non-profits, volunteers are the backbone of many organizations. Volunteers willing to give their time create a meaningful impact where funds may not be available, all while forging connections with the groups they serve. However, it’s important to remember that even though volunteer work is well intended by nature, it often involves working with vulnerable populations, too. Without proper screening, organizations may unknowingly put people at risk.

The mentality around background checks is starting to shift as some employers and organizations realize that volunteers can pose the same risk as full-time employees. Full-time or not, dangerous behaviors that put others at risk leave your organization potentially liable and can happen in a split second. In fact, a recent incident with a volunteer is making a case that screening for volunteers should be the same as screening full-time employees—and why it’s becoming more common to be required by law.

A cautionary tale

In January 2025, following what may have otherwise been a peaceful ride home from a grade school basketball game in Connecticut spiraled into an unfortunate sequence of events. Police alleged that an altercation sparked from a comment that a player on the opposing team made to the coach's daughter following the game. Surveillance footage of the incident shows a parent appearing to confront the coach as he tries to leave the parking lot with his children in the car.  

The parent stood in front of the coach's car, attempting to block his exit, but the volunteer coach did not stop. The man blocking the vehicle was hit by the car before falling to the ground, resulting in a concussion and a broken nose. The coach was dismissed from his position shortly after and charged with two counts of risk of injury to a minor, second-degree breach of peace, second-degree assault, and second-degree reckless endangerment. The parent who blocked the vehicle was also charged with second-degree breach of peace for his role in escalating the confrontation. As of March 2025, both individuals are scheduled for court appearances in the coming months.

Volunteer screening is sometimes mandated by law 

Further investigation after the incident revealed that the volunteer coach has had five prior criminal convictions in the past ten years. Under a Connecticut law passed in 2021, volunteers and employees placed in instructor, athletic training, and coaching positions are required to undergo background checks. So, if the coach had five criminal convictions over the past ten years, why was he allowed to coach to begin with? In short, he was never screened. 

In this scenario, volunteer screening may have involved a child abuse registry search, a sex offender registry search, and a review of criminal records mandated by the state. Town officials acknowledged this oversight and have since pledged to enforce stricter vetting processes for volunteers moving forward. The coach was allegedly given an application for a volunteer background check, but the request was never fulfilled and never submitted. The interim town manager commented, “As the hectic cycle for getting ready for the program commencement approached, the process was not completed by recreation staff and the season went forward.” Intentions were well placed, but with a standard volunteer screening program, the coach may not have been approved for the position. 

Quick screening solutions built specifically for volunteer screening 

A common line of thought is that because contact with on-site territories is limited, the risk is less significant. Volunteers can be like visitors running in and out of a rotating door — positions need to be filled quickly at a moment’s notice. With a busy schedule and so many volunteers moving in and out of an organization, it's no surprise that volunteer screening is sometimes overlooked. Additionally, screening volunteers one by one can be time-consuming, especially when needs are ongoing, making it even more likely to slip through the cracks. Volunteers play a critical role at the heart of many organizations and programs, but knowing who you are working with and doing your best to keep others they come in contact with safe is critical, too. 

Setting your organization up for success with consistent, quick, fair, and legally compliant volunteer screening standards doesn’t have to be a hassle. A dedicated provider and system specializing in volunteer screening can help you manage the process with custom packages built for your needs. Verified Credentials’ volunteer screening services provide fast, comprehensive background checks to help you make informed decisions while streamlining the process with a user-friendly platform. A simple background check process for volunteers can make all the difference—helping organizations protect their people and reputation, reduce risks, and uphold their mission to make the world a little better, one volunteer at a time with confidence. 

Want to learn about quick and simplified screening for volunteers you can trust? Get started with Verified Credentials today.