We ran into an interesting situation with volunteer background checks this year. Our district requires every volunteer to have a TB test on file and that they fill out a form with minor background info. I don't believe they do a real background check, but they do ask if you've ever been convicted of a felony.

We have one mom at our school who is just a wonderful, bright person who we wanted to be on the board of our PTO. When we contacted her she said she couldn't - she is not allowed to volunteer in the school because she refuses to fill out a volunteer form. Turns out she was convicted of a felony many years ago (I didn't ask what for) and is afraid if she fills out the form she will get rejected, but she doesn't want to lie on the form.

We talked it over and decided that since being on the board did not involve actually working with the kids (she would only go into the school for PTO meetings) that it was ok to have her be secretary. We would never let her handle money and obviously she can't have signature authority on the checks, but at least this way she can contribute.

Forgot to add, some school districts require background checks of their volunteers. I would contact yours to see if a policy such as that is in place. For example Houston Independent School District requires background checks. Nevada PTA passed a resolution in 1996 against fingerprinting and background checks for the reasons I stated because it was being discussed throughout our school districts. (National doesn't have any position)
Now, there's the devil's advocate standpoint. The 1998 Volunteers for Children Act stated that if a volunteer did something to a child and if they had a previous record for it, the organization could be held liable. But with good policies in place, like the rule that no volunteer be left alone with a child, a background check wouldn't be necessary.
Missed your second question entirely, all of the schools in our school district use a volunteer log and our PTAs are to use them.

I agree with Tim, I think the background checks would slow parent involvment. Not just embarrased of what might be on their record, but more time consuming paperwork. Any way, volunteers should never be alone with children, there should always be school staff in the same general areas as volunteers. I taught preschool for many years and have had many background checks and fingerprinting done, in a small town like where I live, they only do these things once a week at the police dept. and what a line!!

Here's a column I wrote on this topic back in the fall:

www.ptotoday.com/0903tim.html

CBrooks wrote: "If a volunteer is discouraged by this, perhaps it's best they stay away from children, money, etc."

CBrooks -- I think this is an unrealistic involvement philosophy. One of the biggest obstacles to building involvement is getting new people in. Many times the first steps for new people are 5 or 10 or maybe 30 minute stretches of helping. It's great to offer easy entry points. I do believe that a lot of folks would simply not make that entry if it required advance planning and paperwork weeks ahead of simple volunteer first step. Doesn't make them bad people; but it does really hurt involvement at your school.

Tim

I called them to ask if they need to have a members list with pertinent info for their records, and they said, "no--not until you file a claim." :confused: As far as know they don't need a background check--if they do they certainly never told me about it. I doubt they'd require that--it would be costly, and most groups couldn't afford that.

I was going to call them to ask about coverage of monies at an event--with PTA (at least in our school)the only people who can technically handle the money and be covered if there's a "loss" are the pres, Treasurer, and Fundraising chair :eek: . I'm thinking having a drawer with a countdown at the end of the shift (like in retail)--at least that way you have a person associated with a time and amount.

our school district has just started in the last couple of years checks on people who are in the building on a weekly basis in classrooms. as far as our pto it really hasn't effected us...yet!