Screening of Volunteers

[prophetdaniel]

I have read about this issue in several threads. How do you screen volunteers? Is it simply about who you know to get the opportunity to serve in ministry? Anyone conduct interviews? What is the reaction?

 

[MrS]

Bishop Chaput, the Denver Diocese, seems to think that some psychological testing could be the best answer… to determine a person’s tendancies as opposed to background checks. He seems to present the idea that too many bishops simply C/Y/A with background checks on staff and volunteers just to say they did something. But there are still too many (sadly includeing mine) who are not serious enough when they continue to keep employeed some known problem people.

 

[carol_marie]

At my old Protestant church you had to sign a form that stated you were “allowed” to work with children & then they did a background check to make sure. They weren’t taking any chances. Do you think Catholic Churches do that also?

 

[Arlene]

At our parish Everyone is fingerprinted. As soon as anyone signs up for something, off they go to the sheriff’s office. We have a co-op preschool with the director and myself as the two paid teachers, and then filled in with parents. We run about 1/2 and 1/2 between Catholic and non Catholic families. Before the parents can even help in the classroom they have to be fingerprinted.

 

[Pug]

Some volunteer positions are definitely about who you know! They get offered to a certain group of people, which is sad, I think.

I have gone to an interview for a volunteer position. I feel for some work it is necessary to have a feel for who you will be sending out there representing you. A formal interview would not be the only way. Also, it seems crucial to me to maintain contact witht the volunteers to see what is up with them, do they need anything, do proceedures need changing, do they need a break, or whatnot.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

When I worked for the government they spent several thousand dollars to investigate and clear me.

The church spent $25 for to fingerprint me and do a background check.

Somehow the church check seemed less than thorough.

 

[Pug]

The talk of fingerprints is similar to your original question. Do you think most folks looking for a volunteer position will accept being fingerprinted? I think there are those who would not. It would cut out more than just those with a record.

 

[puzzleannie]

the bishops new guidelines require a background check for all employees and volunteers whose work brings them in contact with minors. In my former diocese they have been fingerprinting volunteers for at least 15 years. Here we instituted criminal background checks and a mandatory “Protecting God’s Children-Safe Environment” orientation for volunteers 3 years ago. Parishes have one year to achieve 100% compliance. I have never had a volunteer refuse to sign a release. We are billed $5 per volunteer for this service.

For CCD volunteers I interview each applicant to determine their qualifications and what age level they work with best. I also check references, three are required, one work or school and two personal (not relatives). This, plus the record keeping and catechist formation occupies the bulk of my time, but it is what I am paid for.

Every new volunteer attends an orientation, volunteers work as classroom aides for at least a year before becoming catechists. We use a team approach and try to have two adults in each classroom. Recently confirmed Jrs. and Srs. are considered adults for this purpose, because I know them and their faith formation.

Our catechists are expected to attend monthly formation classes and have 5 years to become certified. My pastor has no confidence in the diocesan certification program, so I do my own, with his blessing. The diocesan office has approved my curriculum, so my catechists will now be certified by the diocese when they complete the program.

Since the background check is done by the state of Texas, I inquired what it covers: computer check of state and federal database for any criminal convictions, and check for registered sex offenders. So far in over 200 checks we have had no “hits”.

 

[MrS]

puzzleannie:

the bishops new guidelines require a background check for all employees and volunteers whose work brings them in contact with minors. In my former diocese they have been fingerprinting volunteers for at least 15 years. Here we instituted criminal background checks and a mandatory “Protecting God’s Children-Safe Environment” orientation for volunteers 3 years ago. Parishes have one year to achieve 100% compliance. I have never had a volunteer refuse to sign a release. We are billed $5 per volunteer for this service.

For CCD volunteers I interview each applicant to determine their qualifications and what age level they work with best. I also check references, three are required, one work or school and two personal (not relatives). This, plus the record keeping and catechist formation occupies the bulk of my time, but it is what I am paid for.

Every new volunteer attends an orientation, volunteers work as classroom aides for at least a year before becoming catechists. We use a team approach and try to have two adults in each classroom. Recently confirmed Jrs. and Srs. are considered adults for this purpose, because I know them and their faith formation.

Our catechists are expected to attend monthly formation classes and have 5 years to become certified. My pastor has no confidence in the diocesan certification program, so I do my own, with his blessing. The diocesan office has approved my curriculum, so my catechists will now be certified by the diocese when they complete the program.

Since the background check is done by the state of Texas, I inquired what it covers: computer check of state and federal database for any criminal convictions, and check for registered sex offenders. So far in over 200 checks we have had no “hits”.

sounds good to me… in our diocese you need to be with kids over 4 hours a month to be “suspect”. Weird huh?

at the same time… the diocese “overlooks” some heretical teachings in their own deaconate program… overlooks the preference of their catholic education director to wear “designer-type” secular clothes instead of her habit and she prefers Dr. to Sr. … and maintains the employment of an active homosexual in one (or more?) of its catholic schools.

Thank God, God is God

 

[prophetdaniel]

puzzleannie:

Recently confirmed Jrs. and Srs. are considered adults for this purpose, because I know them and their faith formation.

I am mentoring a few Jrs who frequently and deliberately skip Mass. Does this mean they are not ready to be involved in the ministry of religious education? I think they should know and demonstrate why the community gathers together on Sundays. This is happening too often. After a while, I will not even know the person.

PS: They tell me they have not go to any church since I last saw them, which can be 3+ weeks.

Any advice?

 

[puzzleannie]

prophetdaniel:

I am mentoring a few Jrs who frequently and deliberately skip Mass. Does this mean they are not ready to be involved in the ministry of religious education? I
Any advice?

all our catechists have to meet the same qualifications, I just happen to know the newly confirmed teens better than I know most of the adults of the parish, I know what their formation has been for the last 3 years, who is attending Mass etc. also most of them don’t have divorce/remarriage problems. I have had to remove some for conspicuous public misbehavior of various types. It they are not attending Mass they are not ready for the sacrament and we make that clear during CCD and at the Confirmation meetings. Each candidate is interviewed at least once before Confirmation and if the catechist, parent, sponsor, student or me feel they are not ready, we go talk to Father about it. I have had to ask some adults to step down from teaching for various reasons: not attending Mass, attending services regularly at another denomination, cohabiting, disregard of rules and policies, disregard for safety of children, statements in class or to parents disparaging Catholic teaching are some examples. If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it, and if you don’t believe it you can’t teach it.

 

[kaymart]

When I worked with the CYO I had to have a backround check and fingerprinted. Also when I was a Den Mother for Cub Scouts same thing. I don’t mind in the least bit. I prefer this then having an unsavory character around my children and grandchildren.

 

[prophetdaniel]

puzzleannie:

I have had to ask some adults to step down from teaching for various reasons…If you don’t live it, you don’t believe it, and if you don’t believe it you can’t teach it.

Thanks puzzleannie! I just needed someone I don’t know to let me know it is alright for me to ask people to step down.

I’ve known these people for years. It is dissapointing to have to ask friends to step down.

 

[puzzleannie]

In a well run parish all volunteers would serve 3 year rotations, then be asked to step aside for new people to come forward to serve. This would eliminate one of the major problems in parishes - ownership of ministries, i.e. one couple “owns” the 9:00 Mass choir, the same 3 couples are “always” lectors at 10:30, so new volunteers never get a chance, the leadership of parish council bumping among 2-3 people. If the pastoral leaders do not remove catechists who are not doing the job, they are blocking the action of the Holy Spirit who is calling new people.

what helps me is that I am “not from here” which means I am not emotionally tied to the parish and the people, I can be much more clear headed about recruiting, evaluating and firing volunteers.

 

[prophetdaniel]

puzzleannie:

In a well run parish all volunteers would serve 3 year rotations, then be asked to step aside for new people to come forward to serve. This would eliminate one of the major problems in parishes - ownership of ministries, i.e. one couple “owns” the 9:00 Mass choir, the same 3 couples are “always” lectors at 10:30, so new volunteers never get a chance, the leadership of parish council bumping among 2-3 people. If the pastoral leaders do not remove catechists who are not doing the job, they are blocking the action of the Holy Spirit who is calling new people.

what helps me is that I am “not from here” which means I am not emotionally tied to the parish and the people, I can be much more clear headed about recruiting, evaluating and firing volunteers.

I agree and disagree with some points. I do understand the purpose of 3 year rotations.

Majority of volunteers are emotionally tired to the parish and the people. Those who are successful, humble, and professional about serving the community know when to step down or begin mentoring someone to replace them. Coordinator/President positions should never be passed on to family members, even though most qualified.

Volunteers get fired when they show there is no need to take volunteering at the parish as serious as volunteering at a non-religious organization.

I have fired friends. I make it clear to new volunteers that people have been fired.

My viewpoint was like this even before I had an idea of wanting to have a career in the education industry.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Re Three year rotations. Good in theory. However in my time running RCIA and EMHCs to the Sick I have always been short at least 4 or 5 volunteers. Until I can get enough to fill all the slots I am most reluctant to let anyone go.

Especially, I tried to find a way to give myself a three year term. Heart surgery finally got me out of it.

 

[prophetdaniel]

Joe Kelley:

Re Three year rotations. Good in theory. However in my time running RCIA and EMHCs to the Sick I have always been short at least 4 or 5 volunteers. Until I can get enough to fill all the slots I am most reluctant to let anyone go.

Especially, I tried to find a way to give myself a three year term. Heart surgery finally got me out of it.

Good point! I had a few assistants who gambled I am not going to do anything because if I do the program will be short of volunteers. Big mistake!

As a response, the remaining team members came together to make sacrifices for one another and the children.
:clapping:

Last time I let anyone go I asked 2 questions: what is the offical name of the program, and name the first names of two children in the program. Response: clueless.
:nope:

 

[puzzleannie]

it’s not a numbers game, 12 apostles who really stuck with it were more valuable than hundreds who signed a commitment card, came to the first meeting and left in droves with the going got tough.

when I made my first call for new catechists I actually asked for 12 people (I needed at least 25) and told the congregation if Jesus could manage with 12 so could we.

One person in the wrong spot can do so much damage it is not worth keeping them on. A child’s faith and spirituality is precious but fragile, and our first job is not to damage it, but nurture it. The same thinking “if we boot a bad priest we won’t have enough pastors” led to to the exponential growth of the abuse crisis.

as the sister who directs adult ed is always telling me, it is the HolySpirit’s job to bring you volunteers, tell Him to get to work.

in a former parish, my first catechist assignment was to teach Kinder, I was told I would not need Spanish all the kids speak it in school. Wrong, the first night 5 children, Spanish-speaking only, new arrivals came in. the director came in told the kids and parents they only had Spanish classes for first communion. I piped up and said: no child is going to be turned away. We had already had a game, snack, song, story and the kids were bonding. One of the parents, a teacher in the districts one and only bilingual school volunteered to stay and help.

from that beginning, the parish went to the only full service Spanish language program for all grades, children, youth, adults including RCIA. Courage, the Holy Spirit will handle it.

 

[Lisa_N]

I’ve had background checks for various board and volunteer positions. I am also a CASA (court appointed special advocate) and not only do you have to go through 45 hours of training, background check and fingerprinting, your work is always monitored by a supervisor. Puzzleannie is correct, a bad volunteer is worse than no volunteer. For CASA people who are not really dedicated basically wash out during the training as we were told over and over what is expected of us and that if we failed in one of the critical elements (divulge confidential information for example) we are out of the program.

I also had a background check to volunteer for my parish in the financial area. This is one thing that amazes me, how many organizations don’t do something to check backgrounds and then let people handle money. We hear all of the time about this Little League or that Community Garden center having all their funds embezzled by the ‘treasurer.’ I realize money isn’t anywhere near as important as our children but most organizations seem to screen those working with kids but think everyone is honest when it comes to handling OPM (other people’s money).

I’d rather volunteer for organizations that DO background checks. They tend to continue on…

Lisa N

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Parish related- I had to go through “Protecting All God’s Children” and have a background check by the Illinois State Police. I also had to sign a form that said if I knew of a child being abused, or was aware of somebody abusing a child in any way, I would report it immediately.

Girl Scouts (which has improved greatly since my daughter was a girl)- In addition to some form of background check, I had to have three references- whcih were also checked.