Should we screen potential leaders of the program?
Yes. In addition to selecting potential leaders that you and your congregation know and feel comfortable with, we recommend conducting background checks on leaders of Our Whole Lives, and of all Sunday School teachers, to determine whether they have been charged or convicted of sex or abuse-related offenses. Creating Safe Congregations, published by the Unitarian Universalist Association and available at the UUA Bookstore, is a good resource that can help your congregation establish a church-wide safety policy. Most local police departments would be able to assist your congregation in conducting such a check. National Background Investigations can conduct nationwide (U.S.) background checks. They frequently work with non-profits and can be reached at (800) 798-0079.In addition to congregation-based screening, when potential leaders attend training workshops and concerns arise about a leader's appropriateness for facilitating Our Whole Lives, the trainers leading the workshop will speak to the potential leader and to the professional leadership of your congregation about their concerns.
Last updated on Monday, June 4, 2007.
