Volunteer Screening
In order to safeguard both participants and
volunteers in our parish, the Archdiocese has implemented a
screening/registration program for all volunteers in the Archdiocese. The
purpose of the program is as follows:
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To safeguard, in
all respects, all of those to whom we minister.
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We have an
obligation to protect everyone whom we serve.
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To ensure the
integrity, safety and reputation of our volunteers. Our volunteer management
program ensures that:
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Volunteers
are working in an organized, structured and safe environment;
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Volunteers
understand their responsibilities;
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Position
descriptions are created and interviews conducted to ensure that the
volunteer is placed in role suited to her/his abilities and interests.
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To ensure that as
a faith community we fulfill all our obligations.
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The
development of screening policies and procedures is intended to meet our
legal obligations, but even more importantly adequate screening measures
will fulfill our ethical, moral and spiritual responsibilities to
promote wholeness, accountability, trust and care in our ministries.
(excerpted
from Archdiocese of Toronto, Strengthening the Caring Community Training
Manual)
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At St. John's it is
the Volunteer Ministries Team that is responsible for implementing the screening
program. The team is made up of Jim Alexander, Christine Allen (co-ordinator),
Doug Andrews, June Andrews, Debra Kennedy, Pauline Latour, and
Thomas Reid.
Volunteer Ministries Team
Christine Allen (Co-ordinator)
Jim Alexander
Doug Andrews
June Andrews
Debra Kennedy
Pauline Latour
Thomas Reid
If you
are considering volunteering for a ministry in the parish, refer to the
links on page one for specific information on the ministry and for the name of the ministry
coordinator. If a
coordinator's name is not given, simply fill out the web form at the top of the
Liturgical Ministries page & someone will contact you.
Once you have contacted the coordinator of the ministry he/she will
give you a Volunteer Information Package. The package contains the following:
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Volunteer
Information Form (VIF)
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"Strengthening
the Caring Community" booklet, which explains what it means to volunteer in
the church;
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a Consent for Disclosure
(authorization to do a police check)
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a position
description and
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an instruction
sheet.
Your
coordinator will explain what you need to fill out depending on your risk level.
All of the parish volunteer positions have been assessed at either a high risk
level or general risk level. In general, anyone dealing with children, the sick
or the vulnerable, anyone making visits to home or hospital or in a position of
authority is considered high risk. All remaining positions are general risk.
High risk positions go through the most rigorous screening process, which
involves being interviewed, having a police check done, and providing three
character references.
General risk positions simply have to fill out a Volunteer Information Form.
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New Police Check Procedures
as of October 2009
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The Archdiocese has implemented new police check procedures for high
risk level volunteers in all its parishes. The new procedures are being
implemented to facilitate and harmonize police check procedures across
the Archdiocese.
 Under
the new program all police checks and vulnerable sector screening will
be carried out with the help of a security company called TSM. The
volunteer no longer has to drop off the police check in person to the
police station. The parish will fax a special form to TSM along with a
copy of two pieces of I.D. TSM will contact the police to have them do a
check. Reports will be mailed back directly to Father Bob within a week.
As always, only Father Bob has access to this information, which is then
filed in a sealed envelope in each volunteer’s personal file. The
Archdiocese will be covering a portion of the cost of the police check
with the $15 remainder to be covered by the parish. If volunteers wish,
they are welcome to help defray the cost of the police check by making a
donation and placing it in the regular Sunday collection marked, “police
check”.
If you are uncomfortable sharing your personal information with TSM, you
may still have a police check done directly by York Regional Police.
However, it will be at your own cost.
As with other volunteer organizations across the province, the
Archdiocese is now requiring that volunteers repeat having a police
check done every five years. The volunteer ministries team will be
contacting those volunteers who need to have an updated police check
done. You will be asked to come into the office to fill out a form and
provide us with two copies of I.D. , one being photo I.D.
To save time you
may download and complete the application form for requesting a
criminal record check before visiting the parish. Right-click the
link below and choose "save target as" to download the form.
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go to frequently asked questions
back to Volunteering Opportunities (Main Page)
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