Hallmark #5: Cultivates a ‘Can-Do’ Attitude among Paid and Volunteer Staff

Tools

• Establish a contest to reward staff and volunteers who report and problem solve to address safety concerns or other risks.
• Recognize staff and volunteers who have a ‘can-do’ attitude about risk management in an internal newsletter or even as a small feature in the annual report or external newsletter of the organization.
• Click here to review a template Open Door Policy.
• Click here to review a template Whistleblower Protection Policy.
• Encourage staff to adopt a ‘can-do’ attitude by:
• Designing safety training that is relevant for all new employees and volunteers.
• Add safety as a training topic to periodic in-service training sessions and meetings.
• Offer “in the moment” awards for staff and volunteers who address risks on the spot.
• Publicize or otherwise communicate safety efforts that have been fruitful.
• Walk around with safety awards for instant encouragement
• Reward participants in safety programs with pins to wear or items to display on their desks.
• Use bulletin boards, newsletters, intranets and blast emails to staff and volunteers to feature reminders about safety measures and policies.
• Extract ideas from the tools and resources of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center that can be communicated to staff and volunteers as examples of how to promote safety in the nonprofit.
• Develop an incentive program for staff and volunteers to identify and provide solutions to risk management concerns.
• Have fun-oriented contests among staff to identify the “things that could go wrong” with prizes for the most outlandish or the  most beneficial, etc.
• Recognize staff teams, departments or program areas that have operated safely or reported risks or suggested ways to reduce risks.
• Click here for a sample “Whistleblower Protection Policy.” Note: whistleblower protection is an area that is very sensitive to state law requirements. Before adopting a whistleblower protection policy at your nonprofit, do the research and make certain you understand your state law. Who is defined as a whistleblower? Does the whistleblower have to first raise a concern internally in order to be afforded protection from retaliation under state law?
• Click here for an Accounting Tool/Guidance on how to track volunteer time.
• Click here to read an Article on "How To Make Good Use of Your Treasurer and Finance Committee," published in Nonprofit World, written by Kate Barr, Executive Director, Nonprofit Assistance Fund in Minnesota.