Background checks for volunteers and staff

Just as the children and youth in ELCA congregations need to be protected from harm, so do the youth who participate in the ELCA Youth Gathering. In an effort to build a safe environment and manage risk responsibly, we must conduct background checks on everyone who serves the churchwide organization in New Orleans.

Our intent is twofold:

1. To improve the safety of youth who participate in the Gathering, and
2. To ensure the ability of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to accomplish its mission through the ministry of the ELCA Youth Gathering for years to come.

To serve in a volunteer capacity at the 2009 ELCA Youth Gathering, you must agree to submit to a background check by the ELCA. No other background check can be used or submitted. Choosing not to participate in a background check will prohibit you from serving at the Gathering. The ELCA Youth Gathering staff also participates in this screening and is held to the same standards.

All background check and reference materials will be held confidentially by the ELCA. Your application is not considered complete until the screening result is acceptable. A negative screening result will be dealt with individually by phone.

(Back to volunteer information)

Learn more about volunteering:

• 4 different opportunities for volunteering:
  • Community Life
  • Gathering Volunteer Corps (GVC)
  • Servant Companion
  • Youth Servant Corps (for congregations in the host synod, 4F)
• Play in the House Band (August 1, 2008 application deadline)
• Be an emcee for the Gathering program (apply now)
• Volunteer Servant Covenant (code of conduct)
• Background checks for volunteers and staff

	BEGIN the Gathering volunteer application process
	Register to be part of the Youth Servant Corps

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