Volunteer Screening?

[Mr. Van]

Ok. First and foremost - This policy is to protect FIRST - the organization. It is written carefully to protect FIRST. I believe that a better protection would have been a waiver, but in the aftermath of any problem (i.e. sexual misconduct) the outcry of "how could FIRST have prevented this???!!!" would lead to this sort of check.

Here is my problem: As a "Team Leader", FIRST is asking me to take personal information, and check references. Upon what basis do I evaluate these references or their responses? Does this make me responsible if something does happen? I do not want to be in the position where I am doing reference checks on volunteers, mentors and especially parents - who am I to do this?

Our team has 3 "coaches", about 7 volunteer engineers, 10 or so parents and probably 5 students who are 18. I am the only one who is exempt from the screening and reference check process. Cost to the team for the checks: $250. Oh, and the matter of 72 phone calls to be made by me in my spare time.

If FIRST needs to protect itself, that's fine. It just shouldn't do it on the backs of those of us who volunteer our time and already work so hard to make our teams the best they can be.

How are other "Team Leaders" dealing with this?

-Joseph Vanderway
Coach, Team 599