Two of the biggest hiring challenges many large, well-known businesses are facing is handling consent for background checks and disclosing reasons related to background check results why someone may not be hired for a position. Considering their size, and we’re assuming, human resources departments, it’s surprising that so many of these big names keep finding
When Will It Stop? More Sex Abuse Charges Against Former Church Youth Leader
A Virginia church is at the center of every congregation’s worst nightmare; One of its former volunteers is accused of sexually abusing several children he met through the church. The worst part is that these newest charges come six years after similar allegations plagued the man and the church. Although no charges were ever filed
Pope’s Visit to America Renews Quest to Have Priests Background Checked
Millions of U.S. Catholics applauded Pope Francis when he first arrived on American soil, but for families at the center of the Catholic Church pedophile scandal, it was another opportunity to condemn the church’s actions and to hold it accountable for priests’ crimes. It’s a sobering reminder of the importance of background screening for all
What’s OK and What’s Not? Why Abuse Prevention Education is Needed in Every Church
An upstate New York church is rallying together after one of its former volunteer leaders was indicted on sex abuse charges. The youth ministry volunteer is accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with two teenage boys; the alleged incidents of sexual abuse happened at the man’s home and did not take place on church property
Three Key Elements to a Screening Policy
If you don’t already have an employee/volunteer screening policy, you need one. It’s non-negotiable. A thorough screening policy will not only help protect your religious organization and the people within it from psychopaths, it will safeguard your church against any legal action that might be taken should a predator/thief/fraudster/etc. slip through your ranks. But not
Improve the Safety of Your Vacation Bible School
Ministries across the country are becoming increasingly concerned with protecting the children they serve. Pennsylvania has really lead the charge because of a new state law overhauling its child protection policies. The new law expands the requirements for, and scope of, background checks for people who work or volunteer with children. The law demands that
Do Your Volunteers (and employees) Wonder Why They’re Being Screened? Here’s What to Tell Them.
National Volunteer Week is just around the corner and that means many people will be seeking useful ways to volunteer their time and help their communities. This year, National Volunteer Week runs April 12 – 18. Any group – like a non-profit agency or faith-based organization – who could benefit from a few more helping
Child Safety Training More Important Than Ever Thanks to New Laws
It’s always a step in the right direction when states move to protect our innocent children from abusive predators. Even though the details might be overwhelming or confusing at the start, it’s imperative that organizations, including all faith-based groups, implement them as soon as possible. Pennsylvania took such action in 2014 when its state legislature
Three Reasons Why Every Church School Should Screen its Staff and Volunteers
Protect My Ministry takes seriously the need to vet anyone – ANYONE – who is hired by, or volunteers for, a faith-based organization. In particular, we feel strongly that employees and volunteers within schools who are sponsored by, or run on the campus of, a religious organization must maintain high standards of conducting thorough and
Student Ministry Makes Smart Move – Background Checks for Volunteers
There is a beautiful resurgence happening on a longtime religious property in Northwest Georgia. The Polk Haralson Christian Life Center in the Antioch Community, locally known as Camp Antioch, is now blossoming with visitors and wildlife after a major facilities upgrade project and a wildlife habitat certification from the The National Wildlife Federation. More than