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Overview
Overview
Screening and placing of volunteers is intended to ideally match them to the best position for their strengths and motivations. However this process often presents barriers for many individuals. The classic process usually involves an application, interview, and background check which may be unappealing for some with minimal free time or under the impression that they would fail. Being transparent and approachable when it comes to barriers for individuals to volunteer will help your organization onboard a diverse volunteer population. This section provides strategies to address some of these barriers while ensuring that your members are meeting university and partner requirements.
Screening and placing of volunteers is intended to ideally match them to the best position for their strengths and motivations. However this process often presents barriers for many individuals. The classic process usually involves an application, interview, and background check which may be unappealing for some with minimal free time or under the impression that they would fail. Being transparent and approachable when it comes to barriers for individuals to volunteer will help your organization onboard a diverse volunteer population. This section provides strategies to address some of these barriers while ensuring that your members are meeting university and partner requirements.
Objectives
Objectives
As you plan how you will screen and place your volunteers, consider the following objectives and how your organization can best accomplish them. A SMARTIE goals worksheet is available to provide you with a document to identify goals for each objective and assist in maintaining accountability for accomplishing them.
Match member skills to the needs of K-12 students as much as possible
All members can relate to the mission of the organization
Each member connects with the teacher or staff member they will be working with prior to the first day to begin to develop a relationship, prepare, and lower the burden on that teacher or staff member for the first day
Place members or your program with schools or organizations which serve populations impacted by inequities like poverty or racism
Adopt equitable screening procedures
Learn more about this in Addressing Issues of Equity in Volunteerism, and Power, Privilege, and Volunteerism
Key Concepts and Guiding Questions
Key Concepts and Guiding Questions
The following key concepts are intended to help you assess how your organization is addressing the guiding principles of K-12 partnerships and community engagement.
Relationships
Fostering Long Term Partnerships
Do the services your program offers meet the needs of the host site and community?
Moving From Individual To Collective Action
Is there another program or student organization your group could volunteer or partner with which shares a similar mission?
Equity
Starting With Community
Is your organization providing services where they are most needed?
Centering On Equity
Do all U-M students have the same opportunity of and access to volunteering with your organization?
Compliance
Have all of the volunteers completed required background checks for U-M and the host site?
Check with the site you will be volunteering with for their requirements
Awareness
Connecting Civic Learning Across Contexts
Does your organization collaborate with community members to individualize your screening and placing practices?
Power
Acknowledging Power
Do all volunteers feel comfortable with the screening and placement process?
Research
Research
Research on screening and placing volunteers identifies some select practices which assist in developing prepared and engaged volunteers (Robinson et al., National Student Support Accelerator).
Relationships between volunteers and K-12 students are most successful when there is shared interest between volunteers and students.
Successful relationships are built when volunteer skills meet the needs of students.
Background checks are required by U-M for organizations working with minors, but be aware that many individuals experience discomfort around them.
Offerings
Offerings
Below are a few extra resources to assist in equitable screening and placing of volunteers.
Transportation Options
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