When it comes to child and youth programs, such as boy scouts/ girl guides, or church child/ youth ministry programs, to what extent do you think the volunteers who work with the children should be educated and checked out regarding their work? With my church, they have what they call plan
to protect, which is design to protect not only the children I will be working with, but also my church and myself. We have to read a “Plan to Protect”policies and procedures manual, go through a course/ seminar and have a criminal reference check done. I think this is good, for all parties involved. I don't believe any organization, church or otherwise should be, or wants to put themselves in a position where they are legally liable for what their volunteers do with regards to children. Any organization could say truthfully that they 'didn't know' about what kind of person a particular volunteer was. But if that organization neglected to enasure such people couldn't volunteer for them, in order to safeguard the children in their care, how can they NOT be liable? What do you think? Do you think that churches (in regards to children and youth) and organizations like boy scouts/ girl guides go too far when they do things like this, or is it a good idea?
JFG