By-Laws & Policies

May 2015​

​

Introduction:

 

We, the members of the Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, have a responsibility for and an investment in the protection of our children and adults from abuse imposed on them by others. We are in the unique position to listen to and assist those who may have experienced abuse.

 

By overcoming the secrecy involved and by providing a forum for the possible problems and concerns, we will create an opportunity for victims to gain the power necessary to pursue their search for help and support. We will also support in their treatment those who are perpetrators of abuse, including facilitating accountability by reporting suspected abuse.

 

Purpose:

 

We will strive to ensure the existence of a caring religious community that will be free of all forms of abuse, with special attention to sexual abuse, for our children, youth, and participating adults.

 

We will establish procedures that will make this Fellowship a safe place and one that supports survivors of abuse.

 

We will provide support for any person responsible for abuse, whether alleged or convicted. In this context, we understand ‘support’ to mean staying engaged with someone in the search for truth and healing, as well as reporting any suspected abuse to proper authorities.

 

Scope of Policy:

 

This policy applies to all committees or groups that are part of the fellowship. It applies, as well, to any groups using our meetinghouse that are not renting space but are, in effect, sponsored by the Fellowship. For example, when District Youth Conferences are held in our meetinghouse, our expectation is that all adult supervisors will have been through a screening process similar to the one described below.

 

Definitions:

 

Child Abuse: Pursuant to NH RSA 169-C: 3,II - “an abused child is any child who has been: sexually abused; intentionally physically injured; or psychologically injured so that said child exhibits symptoms of emotional problems generally recognized to result from the consistent mistreatment or neglect; or physically injured by other than accidental means.”

 

Two Deep Leadership: We intend to avoid creating situations where children and adults may be vulnerable. We will seek to have two leaders who have been through the screening process, one of whom must be at least 21 years of age, always working with our children. When it is not possible to have two leaders, the group will meet in an open area that is visible to other adults, and the adult with the overall responsibility for that function, such as the director of Religious Education, will circulate through that area.

 

Procedures:

 

• Primary Responsibility for This Policy:

  • Overall responsibility for administering this policy lies with the Religious Education Committee. Each year it will appoint a Screening Committee.

  • The minister and the Screening Committee will be knowledgeable about the available resources concerning child abuse and about reporting procedures for children. The committee will be available to all who have concerns about child abuse within the Fellowship. If a situation arises that has implications for the Fellowship, the Screening Committee will inform the Governing Board.

  • It is understood that everyone is a mandated reporter meaning “if you suspect abuse, you must report it.” It will be the responsibility of the RE Committee to educate the volunteers on how to report.

  • If the concern involves either the minister or one of the members of the Screening Committee as an alleged perpetrator, the concern should be brought to the President of the Governing Board.

​​

• Procedures to prevent abuse from occurring within the fellowship:

  • The DRE and RE Committee will be responsible for organizing and overseeing the screening process each year. This process will include police background checks for anyone working directly with the children and youth. The sex offender registry will also be checked.

  • Each year, a Screening Committee, consisting of one Governing Board member, one RE Committee member, and a third Fellowship member, will be appointed by the Religious Education Committee to handle any concerns arising from the screening process. The final responsibility for ensuring that this process is implemented resides with the Governing Board. The information screened by this committee will be regarded as confidential.

  • All staff must complete the screening process at the time they are called or hired. Volunteers and others from outside the Fellowship who are to be entrusted with the care and supervision of our children or youth must also complete the screening process before they work with children.

  • Staff and others from outside the Fellowship, as well as members and friends who volunteer to care or supervise the children on a regular basis, such as teaching in the RE program, will complete the Primary Screening Form for Children and Youth Work, the Code of Ethics, and the Request for Criminal Records Check.

  • Members and friends who volunteer to care for or supervise the children only occasionally, such as filling in one or two Sundays at the nursery, will complete the Secondary Screening Form for Children and Youth Work and the Code of Ethics.

  • The DRE will review the forms and check the responses from the criminal records check.

  • If, upon reviewing the forms or checking of references, the DRE feels there is a need for an interview, she or he will contact the Screening Committee. That committee will conduct an interview with the applicant.

​​

• Criteria for determining whether an applicant can be entrusted with the care or supervision of children or youth:

  • Before a new member or friend can be considered as a potential volunteer who may be entrusted with our children, he or she must have participated in the Fellowship with some regularity for a minimum of six months.

  • Adults or youth who have legal charges pending, who appear on the sex offender registry, or who have been convicted of or have pleaded guilty to either sexual abuse or physical abuse, will not work with children or youth.

  • Those instances in which adults or youth have been charged with, but not convicted of, either child sexual or physical abuse will be independently evaluated by the Screening Committee.

  • The DRE will apprize the Governing Board of all who have successfully completed the screening process.

​​

• Procedures for reporting suspected abuse: The child/person tells their story to the minister, an RE teacher, the Director of Religious Education, another child, a Board Member, friend, or an adult in the congregation. Here’s what to do:

  • Listen carefully.

  • If a child begins to reveal abuse during a RE Program, be honest with the person telling the story. Don’t make promises you can’t keep, but offer support and hope.

  • Volunteers need to avoid interviewing or encouraging children to continue to disclose. Instead, validate the child and tell him or her that you are going to help make sure that he or she is safe. You can mention that he or she will be telling a caring adult about the situation, but you want to make sure the child only has to tell his or her story once.

  • If you are concerned for a child’s immediate safety, contact local law enforcement. F. The entire matter must be kept confidential.

​​

• Procedures for working with and caring for a person against whom allegations have been made:

  • If an incident occurs within the realm of the Fellowship, we will do all we can to support the victim. However, we cannot disregard the well being of the alleged perpetrator. We may need to set limits on the participation of the alleged perpetrator, such as outlined below, but we will not rush to judgment or ostracize that individual.

  • If a reported incident of child abuse involves either a paid staff person or volunteer, the Governing Board will suspend the person from all activities involving the supervision of children. This is true for an incident that allegedly occurred either within or outside the realm of the Fellowship. Again, because we cannot disregard the wellbeing of the alleged perpetrator, we will not rush to judgment or ostracize that individual.

  • Suspension from activities involving children will continue, pending the outcome of the investigation by the appropriate authorities.

  • Regardless of where or under what circumstances the alleged incident takes place, if a paid staff person is involved and convicted, or legal charges are brought but not acted upon for reasons that leave too many questions unanswered, it may be considered as job related and affecting job performance.

  • Reinstatement of a paid staff member or volunteer will occur only after all allegations have been cleared to the satisfaction of the Governing Board.

​​

• Procedures for working with and caring for a person who has been convicted of abusing a child:

  • Because we “affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person,” we do not believe any person should “automatically” be excluded from our Fellowship because of his/her past actions. However, we also believe we have a responsibility to ensure the well being of all our participants, especially the most vulnerable. To date, it is our understanding that the ability of pedophiles to change their behavior is problematic. If someone who has been convicted of sexually abusing a child, regardless of where it occurred, wishes to participate in this Fellowship, we will welcome him or her, but their participation may be limited in ways – to which all parties agree – to ensure the safety of our children.

​​

• Responding to the media:

  • If you are contacted by the media, you need only to say that our church has adopted Youth and Adult Protection Guidelines, and that we are following those guidelines at this time. If more information is requested, suggest contacting the minister or President of the Governing Board. To speak about the specifics could significantly alter the ability to prosecute.

​​

• Procedures for transporting youth to Fellowship events:

  • Drivers should be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver’s license.

  • Every person transported in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.

  • Regardless of where or under what circumstances the alleged incident takes place, if a paid staff person is involved and convicted, or legal charges are brought but not acted upon for reasons that leave too many questions unanswered, it may be considered as job related and affecting job performance.

  • There should be two unrelated adults in each car for every trip.

​