Updates from GSEM and GSUSA
KEEPING GIRLS SAFE
After attending a GSEM training yesterday, the NR Service Unit was
provided with clarification as to when GSUSA membership and criminal background
(CORI) is required by adults. EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, adults who attend
troop meetings, chaperone, drive girls and attend overnights and/OR
troop/service unit events/activities MUST COMPLY with the Criminal Background
Check Policy and be registered and CORIed screened volunteers. This
information is included in the Volunteer Essentials as well. This
REPLACES AND ELIMINATES “adults can attend one meeting or event”!
WHO IS A VOLUNTEER
- VOLUNTEERS MUST BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OLD AND NOT BE REGISTERED AS A GIRL MEMBER.
- Volunteers must be registered adult members of Girl Scouts with a current, eligible CORI/SORI which must be submitted for approval three weeks prior to having ANY contact with girls, access to their personal information, or managing funds.
- Troop leaders and assistant troop leaders must have completed necessary training as listed in the CORE Learning Plan for Troop Volunteers and Camping Learning Plan for Volunteers.
Families who participate in “public events” do not require
membership or compliance with CORI’s when participating exclusively as a
family. However, if the event is an overnight, then membership and criminal
background check is required for family/all adults.
TRAVEL SAFETY WHEN
TRANSPORTING GIRLS
As detailed in Volunteer Essentials, page 15, when
transporting girls to planned Girl Scout field trips and other activities that
are outside the normal meeting place, EVERY driver must be an approved
volunteer, over 21 years old, have a good driving record, valid license, and
registered/insured vehicle. Everyone must be in a legal seat; wear a seat
belt at all times and adhere to state laws regarding booster seats and
requirements for children in rear seats. When driving girls, there MUST
BE AT LEAST TWO (2) UNRELATED, APPROVED VOLUNTEER IN EACH VEHICLE, ONE OF WHOM
IS FEMALE, and the girl-volunteer ratio must be followed. For approved
volunteers, see the paragraph above. Annual permission or medical forms
for each girl should be kept in the vehicle in which the girl is riding.
UPDATED CAR TRAVEL PROCEDURES
If
a group is traveling in one vehicle, there must be at least two
unrelated, approved adult volunteers in the vehicle, one of whom is
female, and the girl-volunteer ratios in the “Knowing How Many
Volunteers You Need” from Volunteer Essentials section must be
followed.
If
a group is traveling in more than one vehicle, the entire group must
consist of at least two unrelated, approved adult volunteers, one of
whom is female, and the girl-volunteer ratios in the “Knowing How Many
Volunteers You Need” section must be followed. Care should be taken so
that a single car (with a single adult driver) is not separated from the
group for an extended length of time
VOLUNTEER-to-GIRL-RATIOS IN
VOLUNTEER ESSENTIALS
For clarity on which adults can participate in Girl Scouts while
girl members are present, the former “adult-to-girl ratios” are now called
“volunteer-to-girl ratios.” The language reflects their Criminal
Background Check Policy. Volunteer-to-girl ratios have been updated by
GSUSA beginning with the 2016-2017 troop year and the number of required
volunteers has decreased from last year’s levels. Check out Volunteer
Essentials, pages 13 and 63 to see the new ratios and to get an overview of
volunteer requirements. Remember, girl members who are 18 years old CANNOT serve
as a volunteer. They are girl members and count in your girl count, not
the volunteer count.
MEETING IN HOMES FORM
The Meeting in Home Forms has been updated and
troops/groups seeking to meet in homes WILL NEED to request approval
ANNUALLY. Public meeting spaces are always preferred and meeting in homes
is limited.
ONLINE VOLUNTEER AGREEMENT
The Online Volunteer Agreement has been updated for
2016-2017. Every volunteer is required to complete the Online Volunteer
Agreement ANNUALLY.
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