How do I volunteer with a school(s) in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school district? Individuals interested in volunteering in WS/FCS must first register online by using the online volunteer services application form, which is available by clicking here. Complete the sections applicable to your volunteer duties and level.
What is the process for screening and approval of volunteers after they register online, and how does each school coordinate with individuals once approved? Each school's principal designates a staff person and, in most cases, a non-staff person to coordinate the registration, screening and training of volunteers. The designated school contact first screens the Level 1 and 2 volunteer applicants' names using the Department of Justices national sex offender registry. If the person is not a listed sex offender, the school contact then completes the "school authorization" section of the volunteers online form and submits for approval by WS/FC Schools human resources department. (In addition to the sex offender check, Level 2 volunteers also receive a criminal background check, which is processed by the WS/FCS human resources department, along with a reference check/sex offender check, which is coordinated by the schools volunteer coordinator/faculty adviser). The school contact then provides the applicant with their approval status and other information specific to starting their volunteer duties.
How often will I have to complete the online Volunteer Services Application form? Once a Level 1 or 2 volunteer has completed the online form and has been screened and approved for their requested level, their form/screening is good for the lifetime of their service in the school district. A yearly sex offender check is made by the school contact for all returning Level 1 and 2 volunteers. Volunteer drivers must submit an online Driver Approval form and be approved each school year, prior to driving students.
Our school is going on an overnight field trip. How long will it take for HR to process the criminal background check for the volunteer to be approved? The average amount of time it takes for the district's HR dept to process and approve a Level 2 volunteer (including an overnight field trip, in or out of Forsyth County) is 45 days. Please make sure you have registered online at least 45 days before your school's overnight trip.
How will I be contacted to know when my application to volunteer has been approved? The school(s) where you have applied to volunteer will contact you when your online form has been approved. If you have general questions about volunteering at a school, or need status on your online volunteer application/approval, contact Jennifer Cobb with the W-S Chamber of Commerce at 728-9219.
How many volunteers served in WS/FCS last year and how many hours of service did they provide? During the 2011-12 school year, 14,311 Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School volunteers provided 317,727 hours of service.
