When you think of parks and recreation programs, images of children playing sports, summer camps, and community events likely come to mind. However, have you ever considered the important behind-the-scenes work that goes into keeping kids, seniors, and all participants safe?
Parks and recreation departments across the country rely heavily on the selfless efforts of volunteers to coach youth sports teams, lead exercise classes for seniors, organize community gardens, maintain trails and facilities, and more.
While the majority of these volunteers have the best intentions, the unfortunate reality is a small percentage may have criminal histories that could jeopardize the safety and well-being of your vulnerable populations.
That's why comprehensive background screening is absolutely vital for any parks and recreation organization.
An adequate background check can uncover previous convictions for violent crimes, sexual offenses, fraud, and other troubling issues that automatically disqualify someone from working with your community.
Why Background Checks Matter
While no one wants to think the worst of volunteers, the fact is a significant portion of the population has criminal records that often go unreported or undetected without proper screening. According to a report by the National Employment Law Project, roughly 1 in 3 American adults have some type of criminal record.
Parks and recreational facilities are commonplace settings where predators could have access to potential victims, especially children and seniors who are more vulnerable.
Even something as seemingly minor as a theft conviction should raise red flags when evaluating volunteers who may have unsupervised access to facilities, equipment rooms, or cash boxes.
The bottom line is while most volunteers are upstanding individuals, it's impossible to know someone's full background without a formal screening process.
Comprehensive background checks are absolutely essential in order to maintain a safety-first environment for everyone involved.