By eSigning my name below, I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in the Code of Conduct for Adult Volunteers as a condition of my providing services to the children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth of our diocese. I understand that as a volunteer working with children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth, I am required to attend VIRTUS training and to have a thorough background check including criminal history. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct for Adult Volunteers may result in my removal as a volunteer/chaperone with children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth.
As a volunteer, I will:
• Treat everyone with respect, professionalism, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity and consideration, using positive reinforcement rather than criticism when working with children and/or youth.
• Consider a vulnerable adult(s) who habitually lacks the use of reason equivalent to a minor.
• Avoid situations where I am alone with children and/or youth at Church activities.
• Refuse to accept expensive and/or inappropriate gifts from children and/or youth or their parent/guardian without prior written approval from the pastor/administrator.
• Refrain from giving expensive and/or inappropriate gifts to children and/or youth without prior written approval from the parents/guardian and the pastor/administrator.
• Report suspected abuse to the vicar/pastor, administrator or appropriate supervisor.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth.
• Chaperones may not bring non-participating children on the trip/to the event.
As a volunteer, I will not:
• Smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth.
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol at any time while volunteering.
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time.
• Engage in sexual intimacies with the persons counseled. This includes consensual and nonconsensual contact, forced physical contact, sexting and inappropriate sexual comments.
• Use, possess, purchase or give pornographic material to a minor.
• Use physical force, humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth.
• Touch a child, vulnerable adult(s), and/or youth in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
• Use any discipline that frightens or humiliates children, vulnerable adult(s), and/or youth.
• Use profanity in the presence of children, vulnerable adult(s) and/or youth.