How Background Check Triggers Work (Automatic vs. Manual)

POINT integrates with Checkr to help organizations easily run background checks on their volunteers. Background checks can be set as a requirement for participating in specific Events or as a required stage in a volunteer Application flow.

Depending on how a volunteer joins an opportunity, the request to complete a background check is either triggered automatically by the system or must be requested manually by an admin.

When are background checks triggered automatically?

Background check requests are automatically sent to the volunteer when the action is volunteer-initiated.

This happens when:

• A volunteer actively signs up for an Event that has a background check requirement.

• A volunteer fills out and submits a volunteer Application where a background check is a required stage.

In these cases, the system immediately prompts the user to begin their background check process.

What happens when an Admin assigns a volunteer to an event?

If an admin manually assigns a volunteer (including unclaimed contacts) to an event that requires a background check, the system will NOT automatically send a background check request to that volunteer.

This remains true even after an unclaimed contact "claims" their account. Because the registration action was performed by the admin rather than the volunteer, the automatic trigger is bypassed. The organization must manually request the background check.

Why doesn't the system auto-send requests for admin assignments?

This logic is intentionally designed to protect your organization's budget and maintain administrative flexibility.

Because each completed Checkr background check incurs a cost, we want to ensure that every check initiated is a deliberate, conscious decision by your organization. (for example, if the admin already knows the volunteer's background status is clear through external means and just wants them on the list).

How to manually request a background check

If you have assigned a volunteer to an event and need them to complete a background check, you can easily send them a request manually.

1. Go to People > Contacts in your left-hand admin menu.

2. Search for and click on the volunteer's name to open their profile.

3. Locate the Background Check section and click the button to send a manual request. (The volunteer will receive an email prompting them to securely submit their information to Checkr).