Automated character references (free)

Turn on automated character references — VolunteerBadge invites, verifies, and collects references and video for you.

Reference checks are one of the most valuable — and most skipped — steps in volunteer screening, because calling references is tedious. VolunteerBadge can do it for you, free: your applicant lists the people who can vouch for them, and we reach out, confirm who each reference is, and collect their answers and an optional video testimonial.

Off by default — you turn it on

Automated character references are off until you enable them, so nothing changes on your applications unless you want it to. Turn it on under Settings → Screening → “Automated character references (free).” Once on, volunteers you invite are asked for character references and the outreach runs automatically.

How to enable it

Go to Settings → Screening.
Under Invite personalization, switch on “Automated character references (free).”
Save. New volunteer invitations will now include the character-reference step.

Or just ask Victor

You don't have to hunt for the toggle — open the in-app assistant and say “turn on automated character references.” Victor explains what it does, confirms with you, and flips it on. He can turn it back off the same way.

How it works

The applicant lists a reference. On their application they choose and authorize a personal character reference — a name and mobile number.
VolunteerBadge sends the invite. We text the reference automatically (SMS) — no phone tag for your team.
The reference verifies their identity. A free biometric facial scan (a photo of their ID and a live selfie) confirms the reference is who they say they are — and that's shown to you.
They answer a few questions. A short set of honest, opinion-based questions about the applicant's character and reliability. References may decline any question.
They can record a video testimonial. Optionally, the reference vouches for the applicant on camera (up to 5 minutes), recording right in their browser or uploading a clip.
It appears on the profile. The verified reference, their answers, and the video show up on the volunteer's profile for your team to review — separate from the background check.

If a reference hasn't responded, open the volunteer's profile and use “Invite again” next to their Invited — awaiting response status to text them one more reminder. To protect everyone from spam complaints, each reference can be reminded only once (two texts total); after that the button shows “Reminder sent.”

What your reference experiences

From the reference's side it takes about two minutes, all from the link we text them:

They tap the link and see the applicant's name and which organization it's for. They can decline right there — it's completely voluntary.
They confirm it's really them with the quick, free ID + selfie check, then return to the flow automatically.
They answer the character questions in their own words and may skip any that aren't required.
They optionally record or upload a short video — or skip it — and they're done.

A character reference — not a background check

A character reference is a personal opinion offered voluntarily by someone the applicant chose. It is not a consumer report, not an investigative consumer report, and not governed by the FCRA, and it is kept separate from the background check. VolunteerBadge acts as a conduit — we relay the reference's own words and don't verify the accuracy of what they say. How you use references is your responsibility, including equal-opportunity and anti-discrimination laws. See our Terms (§13B) and Privacy Policy (§7B). Learn more on the Character Check feature page.