Wisdom suggests that we take into account the reality of the
existence of predators in the society in which we live. While we do
not expect there to be any problems of this nature, we are going
to build in safeguards to minimize the opportunity for
even the accusation of inappropriate behavior to arise. We love our
children as well as our mentors. For the protection of both,
we will adopt the following policies and procedures concerning the
interaction between adults and children under 16 years old:
1.
Background Checks will
be completed for all Leaders . Only adults who have
actively been involved in the church for at least 2 years and who
have obtained pastoral approval will be eligible to be
Leaders. Assistants will work under the jurisdiction of
the Leaders to whom they are assigned and must have a minimum
of 2 references.
2.
No adult is to be alone or out of public sight with any of our
children. If you are in a room, leave the door open.
3.
Sleepovers.
There are to be no sleepovers among adults and children other than
those arranged as properly supervised program-sanctioned
activities.
4.
Automobile
transportation.
When any child is to be transported by car, there are to be no fewer
than 3 individuals in the vehicle (any combination of
program-sanctioned adults (only) and children). This may mean that
parents will need to bring their child to, or pick them up from
drop-off locations (like the church building) as opposed to adult
leaders picking them up/dropping them off at their homes. Parental
cooperation with this rule is a must.
5.
Two-deep
leadership.
Two registered adult leaders or one registered leader and a parent
of a participant, one of whom must be 21 years of age or older, are
required on all trips and outings.
6.
Constructive
discipline.
Discipline used in the Mentoring programs should be constructive and
never intended to hurt or humiliate a child. Corporal punishment is
absolutely never permitted.
7.
Leaders in
Training
(i.e., teen leadership apprentices) and supervision. Adult leaders
must monitor and guide the leadership techniques used by Leaders in
Training and ensure that COTR mentoring policies are
followed.
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