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Legal
Counsel > For Congregations >
Caring for Staff and Volunteers >
Supervising Non-Rostered Volunteers
I.
Web Resources:
Called to be a Safe Place: Addressing Sexual Misconduct in Our Church - A Web site
containing a variety of resources dealing with sexual misconduct
issues offered by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Early in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, this church expressed clearly its intention to take
whatever measures it could to help prevent sexual abuse and misconduct
within the ELCA. In other words, the church is Called to be a Safe
Place.
Safe Haven for
Children an ELCA Initiative for a New Century.
Safe Haven
Packet
Creating Safe
churches: Addressing Sexual Misconduct - A Web site containing a variety of resources
dealing with sexual misconduct issues is offered by the
Presbyterian Church.
The theme of the site is "Safe Churches."
The Web site contains sexual misconduct-related definitions,
awareness-raising resources, guidelines for creating sexual
misconduct policies for congregations, protocols for reporting
incidents of sexual misconduct, resources for rebuilding trust
that has been shattered in a religious community by incidents of
sexual misconduct.
II. Books and Pamphlets:
Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of
Child Abuse in Church
by Joy Thornburg Melton
This 80-page book provides guidance to help develop policies and procedures for reducing the risk of child abuse in the church. The book defines the scope of child abuse, outlines the different types of abuse, notes the indicators of abuse, discusses the legal requirements for reporting abuse, and provides guidelines for screening and hiring workers and volunteers. The book also outlines basic
procedures of safe ministry with children and youth and outlines a congregational plan for responding to allegations of abuse. Sample forms included for screening workers, requiring background checks, doing reference checks and reporting suspected abuse. A suggested training session plan for people who work with children and youth is outlined, and a bibliography of suggested resources is included
To order:
This book (order number DR220) can be purchased for $13.00 from Discipleship Resources, P. 0. Box 1616, Alpharetta,
Georgia 30009-1616,
Telephone: 800-972-0433;
Web Site: http://discipleshipresources.org
No Surprises: Controlling Risks in
Volunteer Programs - 2nd Edition
by Nonprofit Risk Management Center
A 100-page guide to help in preventing injuries, lawsuits, and other surprises. It provides practical strategies for controlling dozens of risks, including: staff selection and service, board functions; finances; abuse; emergencies; and information management. The guide is produced in cooperation with the American Bar Association and the Points of Light Foundation.
To order:
This guide can be purchased for $15.00 from Nonprofit Risk Management Center, 1130 Seventeenth St. NW, Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20036-5504,
Telephone: 202-785-3891;
Web Site: http://www.nonprofitrisk.org
III. Resource Kits:
Selection and Screening
Kit for Church Employees
by Richard R. Hammar and James F. Cobble Jr.
This kit provides the forms a congregation needs in the selection and hiring of
non-rostered employees. It is designed for use by congregations and contains ten complete sets of booklets and detailed instructions. Kit includes in part: employment application, telephone interview form; annual review of employment; interview form; and sample letters.
To order:
This kit can purchased
for $29.95 from:
Christian Ministry Resources
P.O. Box 2600
Big Sandy, TX 75755
Telephone: 800-222-1840
Fax: 800-882-6643
Web Site: http://www.churchlawtoday.com
Selection and Screening
Kit for Church Volunteers
by Richard Hammer and James F. Cobble Jr.
This kit provides the forms required in the selection and screening of volunteer workers. The kit can be used by congregations of any size. Forms and information includes in part are: form for driving church vehicles, assumption of risk form; review of applicable laws, and maintaining a safe environment.
To order:
This kit can purchased for $29.95 from Christian Ministry Resources, P. 0. Box 2301, Matthews, North Carolina 28106,
Telephone: 704-821-3845;
Web Site: http://www.churchlawtoday.com
Staff Screening Tool Kit - 2nd Edition
by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center
This 135-page guide provides help in screening, position descriptions and selection criteria, recruitment and applications, interviews, reference checks, record checks, other screening techniques, and the increased focus on official agency records as tools for staff screening. It features a state-by-state directory of agencies that maintain records useful for screening.
To order:
This guide can be purchased for $30.00 from Nonprofit Risk Management Center, 1130 Seventeenth St. NW Suite 210, Washington, D.C. 20036-5504,
Telephone: 202-785-3891;
Web Site: http://www.nonprofitrisk.org
A similar resource list more particularly dealing with sexual misconduct by
non-rostered persons is available. Prepared by
ELCA General Counsel's Office
October 2004 |
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