Creating a Safe Environment
Bishop Matthew Clark and the United States Bishops have made a commitment to create and sustain a healthy, protective and holy environment for our children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Following this commitment, the Diocese of Rochester has implemented this mandatory training/education and awareness strategy plan entitled “Creating a Safe Environment” beginning May of 2003.

Policies for Volunteers

  
Volunteers who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults are required to sign a Diocese of Rochester Volunteer Code of Conduct, complete the Criminal Record Check process and participate in Creating a Safe Environment training. 

All of these volunteers must participate in a renewal of training as determined by the Diocese of Rochester.

Volunteer drivers for Church programs and events must have their driving record checked every year.

Implementation

Responsibility

  1. In the Diocese of Rochester the Pastor, Pastoral Administrator, Director of Campus Ministry or Principal is responsible for ensuring the training of volunteers in Creating a Safe Environment.  They may choose to designate a staff employee or a well-qualified volunteer to coordinate and/or deliver this training.
  2. Trainers are required to attend an initial Train the Trainer session. Ordinarily, the Catechetical Leader and/or Youth Minister is designated to train all volunteers for parish/faith community programs for which they are responsible. Parishes/faith communities with an extensive network of volunteers affected may choose to designate another staff person to assist the Catechetical Leader/Youth Minister in training volunteers.
  3. Parishes must maintain the following records policy for three years after the person ceases to volunteer in the parish or school.
    • Authorization and Notification (Form A)
    • Acknowledgement from RBA of completion of Criminal Record Check
    • Acknowledgement of receipt of the Code of Conduct
    • Verification of training for volunteers bound by this policy

Scope

  1. Volunteers include but are not limited to those who are listed on the following page.
  2. Volunteers must sign the Diocesan Volunteer Code of Conduct and undergo a Criminal Record Check before they begin their volunteer work. Volunteers must complete the volunteer training within three months of beginning their work.
  3. Chaperones for overnight events must sign the Diocesan Volunteer Code of Conduct, undergo the Criminal Background Check and complete their volunteer training beforethey can serve as an overnight chaperone.
  4. Volunteer drivers also require an annual New York State DMV check before they can drive for an event. This check requires a new authorization.

 

CREATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

 Volunteers who must sign a Diocese of Rochester Volunteer Code of Conduct, undergo a Criminal Record Check, and be trained in Creating a Safe Environment, include but are not limited to the following: 

  • All volunteers who serve in a Catholic school program
  • Volunteers in religious education programs
  • Volunteers in parish youth programs
  • Volunteer drivers (these also require a New York State DMV check)
  • Overnight trip chaperones
  •  NCYC chaperones
  •  Children’s Liturgy of the Word coordinators and presiders
  •  Youth choir directors
  •  Trainers of children/youth for liturgical ministries
  •  Anyone hosting a school and/or catechetical, youth or parish-affiliated program for children off-site
  • Retreat leaders
  •  Volunteers who work with school and/or parish sport programs such as Athletic Directors and  
  • coaches of sport teams/cheerleading programs
  • Supervisors of youth work/service projects
  •  Coordinators of festivals, pageants, plays and events involving children
  •  Volunteers who visit the homebound and sick
  •  Catechists or youth ministry volunteers in a parish program
  •  Catechists/aides who work with special education programs
  •  Maintenance, groundskeepers or others who work with youth volunteers
  •  Summer Bible school or Summer Institute volunteers
  •  Family Education leaders
  •  Adults involved in fundraising or special events that work with children, youth or vulnerable adults such as book fairs, cooking crews, etc.
  • Volunteers who work with vulnerable adults in nursing homes and group homes
  •  Volunteers who run Sunday daycare during Mass

    Volunteer Code of Conduct Form  . pdf          Volunteer Drivers Information Form   .pdf