Preparing and vetting volunteers is important, but it seems overly complicated & time consuming.
Imagine if AARP provided resources & infrastructure:
Online self-paced and virtual training
Listings for in-person training classes
Background checks
Records for TB test, Vaccines, etc.
Protect personal data; share only with permission.
Volunteer experiences/assignments/history.
Strengths, weaknesses, classes, certificationsโฆ
Barriers for potential volunteers:
Training exists but generally isnโt free.
If I volunteer at aone Sr Center, then help elsewhere, must I start over?
For example, if someone is good at simple visits but canโt handle challenging seniors,
Let them know and help connect them with needs that are a fit.
Potential funding:
Donations, grants
Sliding fees for Centers that want to tap a vetted pool of volunteers with records.
If someone is already providing this, who? And why are they hiding?
Whatโs your โno, becauseโ list?
Whatโs your โyes, ifโ response?
What related items should be considered?