Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Volunteers are an integral part of society. Unfortunately there is that small percent of volunteer contact that is actually harmful. Volunteers are not the only segment that nonprofits need to be concerned with. Employees and board members can also harm an organization and its clientele.
Savvy nonprofit organizations realize that there are ways to mitigate the risk of letting the wrong person be a volunteer, employee, or board member; in turn mitigating the risk of fraud, abuse, illegal activity, and negative influence. Background investigations are one of the best ways to mitigate those risks.
Savvy nonprofit organizations also realize that a properly implemented background investigations policy and procedure carries with it the concerns of being time consuming, requires the gathering of sensitive data, is paper heavy, and can be costly.
Learn how to implement an effective volunteer, employee and board background investigations policy and procedure, while learning the ins and outs of background investigations, how to evaluate current background investigations, and how to get buy in from within your organization to enhance or implement a background investigations program.
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
2. About
Me
Michelle Pyan is the owner
of CI and has been a licensed
private investigator in the
states of Wisconsin, New
York, and Florida since 1991.
She has experience in human
resources since 1993.
Michelle is passionate about
background investigations
and has been examining the
Fair Credit Reporting Act
and other applicable state and
federal laws since 1998.
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
3. About
Us
Commercial Investigations is a New York State and
Florida State licensed private investigative agency.
CI provides the Proactive Truth regarding applicants,
reducing turnover and limiting exposure to civil liabilities.
Services include:
Employee Background Investigations
Volunteer Background Investigations
Board Member Background Investigations
Medical Staff Background Investigations
Tenant Background Investigations
Merger and Acquisition Background Investigations
Full Due Diligence Investigations
Opposition Research and Political Investigations
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
5. About
You
What are you doing today to screen volunteer applicants?
Employees? Board members?
How many volunteers do you handle in a year or
monthly? Employees? Board members?
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
6. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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1. Are you aware of current industry
standards?
2. How can you strengthen your volunteer
screening process?
3. Do you have a comfortable understanding
of how background investigations work?
17. Origin
A multidimensional inquiry that combines our
Multijurisdictional Criminal inquiry with known aliases
provided from our SSN & Address Information
inquiry.
We report the state and the approximate date that the
SSN was issued and run the SSN through the Social
Security Administration’s Death Master File.
Next, we run the SSN trace to obtain a list of alias
names, including maiden names.
Then use this information to make a final pass
through our Multijurisdictional Criminal inquiry
instant database on the primary name supplied and all
aliases revealed in the SSN & Address Information.
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
19. Cursory
Indicator
New York
In July 2011, Commercial Investigations launched
Cursory Indicator New York, after being in
development since 1999.
Commercial Investigations worked with New York
State law enforcement to bring this to the non-law
enforcement world.
Commercial Investigations is the exclusive provider of
Cursory Indicator New York to its clients and other
background screening organizations.
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
20. Cursory
Indicator
New York
Proprietary inquiry allows CI clients to quickly assess
when additional criminal record research is needed in
New York.
Positively identifies the subject.
CI's expert investigative staff handles the tiered
inquiry.
Automatically proceeds to tier two if Cursory
Indicator New York indicates that it is necessary to
perform more comprehensive inquiries.
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
21. Cursory
Indicator
New York
Why consider Cursory Indicator New York:
New York Statewide Law Enforcement Criminal Data
available in one Inquiry to Non Law Enforcement
Entities
Cost Effective
Tiered System indicates when more comprehensive
Inquiries are needed
Positively identifies the subject
Includes Misdemeanor and Felony Convictions
Discloses Misdemeanor Convictions that might be
missed in County Criminal searches
Reduces costs associated with New York Statewide
(OCA) searches
Most results available within 2 to 4 Hours
Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Compliant
Proprietary to Commercial Investigations LLC
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
22. Sex Offender Registry
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
23. Sex
Offender
Registry
Although some sex offender registry data is part of the
Multijurisdictional Criminal part of Origin, however
a state specific sex offender registry inquiry is important
to cover all levels of sex offender data publically
available.
CI’s Sex Offender Registry inquiry helps mitigate a
company’s risk of workplace violence and potential
negligent hiring or retention lawsuits.
CI recommends that its clients conduct a Sex
Offender Registry inquiry in every state the subject
has lived in, and by every name the subject has used,
within the previous ten years.
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
25. Reveals a suspended/revoked license, patterns of
reckless behavior, insurance risks and/or substance
abuse
If your employee is irresponsible or negligent, with a
motor vehicle, or otherwise, your organization may be
held responsible for any accidents or incidents that
occur as a result
Motor vehicle information can be very beneficial to
obtain on all applicants
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
27. Highly recommended as a minimum criminal record
search to ensure the discovery of any misdemeanor or
felony charges
CI conducts County Criminal inquiries by submitting a
query to a professional court researcher who physically
retrieves the records
Uncovers “minor” convictions such as theft, drug
possession or shoplifting that are very relevant to
employers seeking the best applicants
Examples of charges that can be revealed through a
County Criminal Inquiry:
Assault,
Robbery
Murder
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
28. Consists of information from the New York State Office
of Court Administration (OCA)
Results include data from all 62 NY counties pertaining to
misdemeanor and felony convictions and open/pending
cases
Some town and village criminal disposition data is also
included. Since 2003 approximately 20% of all NY town
and village Courts have been reporting disposition data to
OCA
All NY City and County courts are required to report
criminal disposition data to the NYS Office of Court
Administration
Cases are updated within New York City approximately
every 24 hours and outside NY City at least once a week
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
29. An important step for eliminating an employer's liability
for negligent hiring
Federal searches often reveal serious violations of federal
law that state or county searches do not encompass
Examples of federal crimes:
Drug trafficking
Embezzlement
Carjacking
Kidnapping
Crimes committed across state lines
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
31. Provides information on individual health care providers
Conducts a search of the sanction information compiled
by Office of the Inspector General (OIG), General
Services Administration (GSA) and other federal
agencies
Meets requirements for sanction screening set forth in
the OIG's Compliance Program Guidance
More thorough than only checking the OIG and GSA
databases established by these governing agencies
because it includes historic, as well as current sanction
data
Office of the Inspector General sanctions
General Services Administration sanctions
State licensing agency actions
Global Scan anti-terrorist data
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
32. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Reduce turnover
Increase productivity and employee morale
Pre-Employment
Pre-Promotion
Annual Physical
Random
Post Accident
33. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Access to company or customer cash, assets, credit cards,
valuables or confidential information
Can demonstrate responsibility and reliability levels
Reveals if subject may be tempted to commit larcenous
action
Should only be used with established company policies
and procedures
34. Level 1
Level 2
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
35. Determine if applicant meets qualifications for
position
Side-by-side of applicant supplied data to verified
data
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
36. Validates employment including dates, position, etc.
Customizable interview questions
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
37. Comprehensive interview with subject’s references
Gives information beyond facts of employment
Insight into performance
Information about character traits and/or habits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
38. CI utilizes experts of foreign court procedures
Records from all 6 continents as well as Mexico,
Canada, Puerto Rico
CI ensures compliance with international access
and privacy data laws
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
39. Recommended for employers in industries which
require employees to be certified & licensed
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
43. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Volunteers
Employees
Board Members
Vendors
Contract Labor
Temporary Employees
Clientele
44. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Time of Service
Regular Intervals
Random
45. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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7 Years
10 Years
All Available Years
Primary Name
All Names
Current Jurisdiction
All Jurisdictions
46. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Consent Form
Request
Preadverse Action
Adverse Action
Disclosure Request
59. Confirmation
Email
Dear Sample,
Your background investigation report has been successfully ordered and
forwarded to Test Customer for review. You can also see a copy of the same
report by clicking here. The entire background report may not be complete at this
time, but you can still see the status of each item and then you can check back
later, as often as you like to see the recently finished items.
In order to view your report you will need to provide:
• Report Number (listed on the subject line of this email)
• Last Name
• Date of Birth
• Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
If you have any questions about the accuracy of the completed report, you may
send Test Subscriber a letter indicating the part of the report that you believe to
be incorrect to the address below. Test Subscriber will re-verify the results if
reasonable grounds exist. If parts of the report are deleted or changed due to the
re-verification process, you will receive a corrected report. Should you have any
questions, please contact us at staff@commercialinvestigationsllc.com or call us at
1-800-284-0906.
Receipt of Payment
Thank you for your payment of $24.95.
Your payment authorization code is 00009999.
We appreciate the opportunity to serve you!
Commercial Investigations LLC
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
60. Benefits Volunteer Enters Personal Information
Eliminates Organization Data Entry for Volunteer
Screenings
Volunteer Owns the Information
Reduces Duplication
Protects Sensitive Volunteer Data
Volunteer Donation Option
Ensures Compliance with FCRA
Volunteer Handles Dispute of Adverse Data
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
61. Client Report Retrieval
Optimized for Internet Explorer
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
72. Benefits Volunteer Enters Personal Information
Eliminates Organization Data Entry for Volunteer
Screenings
Volunteer Owns the Information
Reduces Duplication
Protects Sensitive Volunteer Data
Volunteer Donation Option
Ensures Compliance with FCRA
Helps Avoid Negative Press with Proper Due Diligence of
Screening
Volunteer Handles Dispute of Adverse Data
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
74. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Qualifications
Compliance
Federal and State Laws
National Association of
Professional Background
Screeners
76. Benefits of Screening your Volunteers
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
77. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Discourages Undesirable
Applicants
Encourages Open
Communication
Eliminates Uncertainty
Demonstrates Due Diligence
Promotes Workplace Safety
Excellent Return on
Investment
78. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Job Postings Notice about
Background Check
Application Paperwork include
Consent Form
» Discrepancies
» Incomplete Information
79. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Indicates to Employees
and Applicants that Past
Actions are Important
Provides an Opportunity
for an Applicant to
Discuss their Past
Increases Moral
80. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Second Impression
Confirms Application
and Resume
Industry Standard
Operating Procedure
81. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Negligent Hiring
Negligent Retention
Negligent Referral
82. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Woman Attacked in
Her Home $2.5 Million
Child Sexually
Assaulted $1.75 Million
Unlicensed Nurse
$235,000
83. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
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Mitigates Risk
» Abuse
» Security Breaches
» Identity Theft
» Bad PR
Everyone Feels Safer
84. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Peace of Mind
Less than First Day’s Pay
Insurance Discounts
87. Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Commercial Investigations LLC
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96. Presented by Michelle Pyan
President
Licensed Private Investigator
(800) 284-0906
www.commercialinvestigationsllc.com
facebook.com/commercialinvestigationsllc
twitter.com/CI_LLC
linkedin.com/company/commercial-investigations-llc
info@commercialinvestigationsllc.com
97. The information provided in this presentation does
not constitute legal or accounting advice. It is for
information and discussion purposes only.
This presentation may not be reproduced without
the written consent of the author.
Commercial Investigations LLC
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Background Investigations: A Primer for Nonprofits
Notas do Editor
Press Release – NYSAHAThe New York State Amateur Hockey Association has chosen Commercial Investigations as their preferred provider for background screening of volunteers, coaches, and officials because of Volunteer Screening Solutions and Cursory Indicator New York, two of its innovative new services launching this year. Joe Baudo, President of the New York State Amateur Hockey Association said “the information we are getting from the system is terrific. It has flagged those volunteers who don't meet our criteria for working with minors. It is helping us protect our youth and providing a safer environment for our sport. The entire CI staff is very responsive and helpful. It's a pleasure working with them.”