Volunteer risks – Get the myths OUT and the management IN William Henry, Volunteers Insurance Service Association

WHAT WE WILL LEARN... The myths that often inhibit effective volunteer activity, and create risk exposures The four kinds of insurance claims that result from volunteer engagement, and how to prevent them. The six building blocks of a risk management system, beginning with the question, "What could possibly go wrong?"

The background check and Motor Vehicle Record are clean, so we’re home free.  

It’s all about empowerment with volunteers now It’s all about empowerment with volunteers now. They will use their experience and judgment to chart their own course. If they need something or have a question, they will ask.  

But if we spend so much time on training, or if we discipline volunteers who don’t follow our procedures, they’ll quit. We need those people!  

OK, but if we do safety training, we’re admitting we know there are risks in the volunteers’ work. Doesn’t that increase our liability if something really does go wrong?  

The lawyer on our board says volunteers have immunity, under the federal Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, and our state laws. So if they hurt somebody accidentally, they can’t be sued.  

OK, but at least our liability insurance policies will protect us if a volunteer causes an accident.  

We have a waiver of liability We have a waiver of liability. Volunteers have to sign that before they can lift a finger for us. So none of these concerns really apply to us.  

MOST COMMON RISKS Injuries to the volunteer Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property) Automobile liability Dishonesty

PREVENTER PAPERS   One-page and two-page documents on how to prevent common accidents Index included in session handouts Contact William Henry at Volunteers Insurance Service Association – 800.222.8920, or william.henry@visvolunteers.com. We will email you the papers you select.

MOST COMMON RISKS Injuries to the volunteer Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property) Automobile liability Dishonesty

MOST COMMON RISKS Injuries to the volunteer Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property) Automobile liability Dishonesty

MOST COMMON RISKS Injuries to the volunteer Liability (injuring someone or damaging their property) Automobile liability Dishonesty

RESOURCE: VEHICLE SAFETY AND OLDER DRIVERS Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence: http://www.thehartford.com/mature-market- excellence/family-conversations-with-older-drivers American Automobile Association – http://seniordriving.aaa.com AgingParents.com – “How To Handle a Dangerous Older Driver”-- http://agingparents.com/products.aspx?id=22 American Occupational Therapy Association – www.aota.org  

ESSENTIALS OF A RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM “What could possibly go wrong?” – Identify and evaluate risk scenarios Eliminate, reduce and transfer risks Develop incident responses Select, orient, train and supervise volunteers Hold volunteers accountable When something bad happens, learn from it  

ESSENTIALS OF A RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM “What could possibly go wrong?” – Identify and evaluate risk scenarios Eliminate, reduce and transfer risks Develop incident responses Select, orient, train and supervise volunteers Hold volunteers accountable When something bad happens, learn from it  

ESSENTIALS OF A RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM “What could possibly go wrong?” – Identify and evaluate risk scenarios Eliminate, reduce and transfer risks Develop incident responses Select, orient, train and supervise volunteers Hold volunteers accountable When something bad happens, learn from it  

ESSENTIALS OF A RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM “What could possibly go wrong?” – Identify and evaluate risk scenarios Eliminate, reduce and transfer risks Develop incident responses Select, orient, train and supervise volunteers Hold volunteers accountable When something bad happens, learn from it  

WHEN INCIDENTS HAPPEN Reporting responsibilities The importance of timely action

THE INSURANCE PIECE Insurance protecting the organization Insurance protecting volunteers  

HANDOUTS FOR TODAY’S SESSION Questionnaire to help you determine where you are now, in managing volunteer risks Index of “Preventer Papers” on injury prevention and vehicle safety Preventing acts of dishonesty by employees and volunteers  

William Henry Executive Director, Volunteers Insurance Service Association william.henry@visvolunteers.com 800.222.8920