Volunteers play a key role in supporting youngsters, seniors, the disabled and the community at large throughout West Central Alberta.
Whether it's coaching a minor league hockey or baseball team, providing guidance to young people through mentorship programs, or working with shut-in seniors and other vulnerable residents, volunteers are a vital part of the region's support network.
Volunteers are routinely given preferential access to those they help. As such, making sure all volunteers are properly screened to ensure they are law-abiding is an absolute must.
New volunteer screening tools being put in place in the province will reinforce and enhance the protection of both volunteers and the people they help.
Alberta Culture and Tourism's new volunteer screening program will "assist non-profit organizations with a range of resources to help reinforce existing volunteer screening practices or establish robust new ones," say officials.
The program will add another layer of scrutiny to volunteer recruitment and screening, says Minister of Culture Richardo Miranda.
"The new tools and training resources will help organizations develop practices to identify potential risks beyond police information checks," said Miranda.
The new screening program is made up of two principal components:
ï Financial support for eligible organizations to help alleviate cost burdens related to conducting vulnerable sector checks and to develop screening practices.
ï Education and training, including workshops, forums, tools, templates and other resources to share relevant information.
Liz O'Neil, executive director of Boys and Girls Clubs/Big Brothers Big Sisters, says the new screening program is certainly welcome.
"This resource will be so important to organizations that work with vulnerable people; the most important work we do is screening possible volunteers to ensure the safety of our children and families," said O'Neil.
Many Alberta youngsters in particular benefit from the tireless work of volunteers who give their time so kids can enjoy sports and other worthwhile activities.
Making sure that Alberta's volunteers are properly screened ensures that the kids they help remain safe and sound. And that, of course, is in everyone's best interest.
The province and its stakeholder partners should be applauded for this new initiative.
Dan Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
