Whether it’s local, traditional, onsite volunteering, or volunteering abroad in another country, or virtual volunteering, risks for volunteers – whatever kind of volunteering – staff and clients must be assessed and considered, and policies and procedures must be developed to appropriately address risks and better ensure everyone’s safety. Otherwise, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization, charity, school, youth group, community of faith, WHATEVER the program, is putting people at risk.

Safety isn’t about bureaucracy or red tape. It isn’t about doing only what is required by law. It’s also not about managing programs from a place of fear. It’s about exploring risk honestly and openly, it’s about staying fact-based, it’s about listening and it’s about always being open to questions and discussions about absolutely any subject.

My blogs and resources regarding safety in volunteering programs include the following, and these link to resources by many other people:

Safety in Service Delivery/Client Support by Online Volunteers. Includes guidance regarding online meetings.

Your right to turn away volunteers who won’t adhere to safety measures (& your right to refuse to volunteer at an unsafe program)

My wakeup call regarding risks in volunteering programs – a blog that may change your mind about how to think about risks in volunteer engagement programs

Letting Fear Prevent Volunteer Involvement is Too Risky” (a guest blog by me for Energize, Inc. and Susan Ellis)

Have you enabled a Larry Nassar?

Keeping volunteers safe – & keeping everyone safe with volunteers (includes a list of my favorite resources regarding safety in programs that involve volunteers and/or children; I consider many of these resources mandatory reading for managers of volunteers

Safety in virtual volunteering

Supervising online volunteers in court-ordered settings

Safety of volunteers contributes to a shelter closing

Survey for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Re: Safety

volunteer managers: you are NOT psychic!

Your organization is NOT immune to sexual harassment

Creating a Speak-up Culture in the Workplace

Why don’t they tell? Would they at your org?

With volunteers, see no evil?

Fearing your own colleagues in the field

Survey for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Re: Safety

Evaluation Re: Peace Corps’ Sexual Assault Risk Reduction & Response Program

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