Welcome to: Doylestown United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries

About

Doylestown United Methodist Church (DUMC) believes that as a congregation we must be committed to the safety of the children and youth who attend our Church, our Pre-School, and/or other church sponsored activities. We must do everything within our power to protect these children and youth from abuse and negligence, and to protect the congregation from false claims of abuse. The Safe Sanctuaries Program at DUMC was implemented to:1. To protect the children and youth who attend our church, and are involved in church sponsored programs, from harm due to abuse or negligence.2. To protect our staff members and volunteers from the possibility of false allegations and litigation.3. To respond appropriately to concerns related to abuse or negligence.4. To educate our congregation about related child abuse issues.In order for the Safe Sanctuaries Program to be successful the cooperation of all staff, volunteers and parents is needed. We thank you for helping us to make Doylestown United Methodist Church a "safe sanctuary" for all.

Screening Requirements

1. All DUMC employees and volunteers who desire to work with, or are required to transport children and youth, must complete the screening process as outlined below prior to working or volunteering with children. The screening process includes: a) Completing the “DUMC Safe Sanctuaries Volunteer Form". Signing this form authorizes criminal background checks by “Protect My Ministry" and/or the Pennsylvania State Police every three years. b) Obtaining a Pennsylvania State Childline check, and providing copies to the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator/Church Office. c) Reading the “Safe Sanctuaries Policies and Procedures”.2. Prior to working or volunteering with children or youth at DUMC each applicant must either attend the “Safe Sanctuaries” Training Workshop (held yearly), or meet individually with either the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator, the Pastor of Student Ministries, the Director of Children’s Ministry or the Pre-School Co-Directors depending on what age of child or youth the applicant desires to work with.3. Any volunteer applicant for church activities must have been attending DUMC for at least 6 months prior to working with children or youth. - This does not apply to parent volunteers in the Pre-School program. 4. Any person who is currently under investigation for or has been convicted of a) criminal sexual conduct, b) neglect of a child or c) physical abuse of another person will not be permitted to serve as a worker with children or youth at DUMC. Church leadership reserves the right to disqualify any applicant, or review the employment status of any current staff member or volunteer, based upon application information, results of background checks or current criminal investigation.

Screening Requirements

Policies and Procedures

1. The “Staff/Volunteer ID Rule” All staff and volunteers of the church will be required to wear ID badges at all times while in the church.2. The “Members and Friends Rule” All members and friends of Doylestown United Methodist Church who enter the church between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, will be required to sign in at the office and wear a “DUMC” sticker. The only exception to this rule is any person who is attending a Church sponsored program (such as “Cross Points” or Wednesday Morning Bible Study). “DUMC” nametags will be made available at these programs for attendees to wear during the time that they are in the church building. The wearing of these nametags will enable them to enter rooms where small groups are being facilitated, as well as the bathroom areas. - Exceptions will be made to these rules for special events such as funerals, luncheons etc. Procedures will be adjusted as necessary according to the nature of the event.3. The “Visitor Rule” All visitors to the church between the hours of 8:30am and 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, will be required to sign in at the office and wear a visitors badge. - One exception to this rule is Pre-School parents who are bringing children to their classrooms between 8:55am and 9:10am, and between 12:25pm and 12:40pm. The Lobby area will be monitored during this time by the Pre-School Co-Directors. - Other exceptions may be made for special events such as funerals, luncheons etc. Procedures will be adjusted as necessary according to the nature of the event. 4. Annual Orientation for Volunteers/Staff All volunteers/staff working with children and youth will be required to attend a yearly orientation session facilitated by the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator in which they will be informed of: - DUMC’s policies for the prevention of child abuse. - DUMC’s procedures to be used in all ministries with children and youth. - appropriate steps to report any suspicions or incidents of child abuse. The Pre-School will provide annual orientation for their staff facilitated by the Pre-School Co-Directors. 5. No Volunteers under age 18 without an Adult Supervisor A youth volunteer will always be supervised by an adult when working with younger children. This applies particularly to the church nursery and Sunday School.6. The “Two Adult Rule” There will be no fewer than two adults present at all times during any church sponsored program, event or ministry involving children under age twelve. Where youth over the age of twelve are involved in a church sponsored program, event or ministry, one adult may be permitted. However, under no circumstance, should one youth be in a situation where he/she is alone with an adult at any time. There should always be at least one other youth or adult present at all times. 7. The “Buddy System” Children and youth will not be allowed to roam the church building and grounds by themselves. The “buddy system” will be encouraged at all times. Children under the age of six should always be escorted by a parent. If a parent is not available the child will choose a “buddy” and will be escorted by an adult volunteer/staff member. Children and youth over age six should always be with a “buddy”. 8. Registration of all Children in Sunday School All children attending Sunday School classes need to be registered so parents or guardians can be contacted in an emergency situation. All classrooms will have extra registrations forms on hand in the event that a new student enters Sunday School without prior registration. Visitor forms will also be provided for parents of children who are visiting the Sunday School.9. The “6 Month Rule” All volunteers (does not apply to staff members) must have been attending DUMC for at least 6 months before they are eligible to apply to work with children and youth. - This does not apply to parent volunteers in the Pre-School program.10. The “Open Door Rule” If, due to extenuating circumstances, an adult volunteer/staff member is left alone with children under the age of 12, the door to the room will be left open and the other volunteer/staff member will return as soon as possible or alert another adult to provide assistance.11. The “Sunday Morning Rule” No child or youth will be permitted to roam the hallways on Sunday mornings. All children and youth must be with a parent or guardian, in worship, or in Sunday School during these times. - Children in 5th Grade and above, who have signed permission forms on file with the Director of Children’s Ministry, may be excused from Sunday School to meet their Parents. Children will use the Lobby/Narthex of the church as a meeting place. This also applies to youth who are waiting for their parents.12. Counseling Sessions Any counseling sessions involving staff members/volunteers and children or youth must be conducted in a staff member’s office or a room with the door open, or in a public place. Another staff member must be notified when a session is in progress. - This also applies to events such as choir/music rehearsals and auditions. 13. The “Eye-to-Eye Pick Up and Drop Off Rule” At all church events involving children in 6th grade and below, parents or guardians must drop off and pick up their child by entering the building and touching base with the adult in charge of the event. Children WILL NOT be released to the parking lot to meet parents or guardians. This applies especially to Children’s Choir and Bell Choir practices. Parents are asked to be on-time for pick-up so that an adult staff member/volunteer is not put in a position where they are alone waiting with a child.14. The “Transportation Rule” No child or youth may be transported alone in a vehicle by an adult staff member or volunteer without the verbal permission of the parents or guardian directly to the adult driver. If parents or guardians cannot be contacted, alternative transportation must be found.15. Overnight Activities On overnight activities involving children and/or youth, there must be at least two leaders of each gender. Separate changing areas and sleeping accommodations must be designated for males and females and designated as off limits to members of the opposite sex. When leaders are sharing sleeping accommodations with children/youth, care should be taken to ensure the privacy of children and/or youth16. Displays of Affection Proper displays of affection are an important means of demonstrating our love and concern for children. “Touching should be in response to the need of the child and not the need of the adult. Touching should be with the child’s permission – resistance from the child should be respected. Touching should avoid breasts, buttocks and groin. Touching should be open and not secretive. Touching and other physical contact should be governed by the age and developmental stage of the child. Refrain from tickling and never touch a child under his/her clothing.” From “Child Abuse Prevention for Your Organization” by John Patterson.17. Suspicious Behavior All staff and volunteers will be instructed to introduce themselves to individuals who are not properly identified and/or are wandering or loitering around areas where children or youth are present. Suspicious behavior will be immediately reported to church leadership.18. Reporting of Suspicion of Child Abuse Any volunteer or staff member who suspects that there has been an incident of child abuse will report their suspicions directly to the Sr Pastor and the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator for further investigation. - Pre-School staff will report to the Pre-School Co-Directors who will then inform the Sr Pastor and the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator.

Policies and Procedures

Forms

Childline Form.pdf

DUMC Safe Sanctuaries Volunteer Application.doc

Please click on the above forms. Print out, fill out and mail or drop off to the church office (320 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown PA 18901) in a sealed envelope marked: Attn. Safe Sanctuaries.

Please also enclose $10.00 to cover the fees and a photocopy of your current Pennsylvania Drivers License.

Thank you!

Forms

Contact Us

Questions? Concerns?

Please call the church office at 215-348-5225 or fill out the information below to contact the Safe Sanctuaries Coordinator at DUMC. Thank you.

Safe SanctuariesBecause We Care

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