Requiring Clearances

[wagionvigil]

How many troops if any are requiring Background checks of new leaders or adults that are camping with them
In PA. we have two different ones we can use with ease. One is the Child abuse check and the other through the PA. state police. each is $10.00
I have been a band director for 33 years and until recently anyone that wanted to chaperone on a trip was Ok. WEll things have changed. For the Past 8 years everyone getting on a bus to go anywhere MUST have both the above clearances on file in my office. I must see the original and copy it for my files.These are at the expense of the adult that wants them. The adults that request these are from all walks of life so being a single mom on welfare is not a hinderance if you want to do something.

[commish3]

Since National already does the background checks on the registered adults the troop does not duplicate that service. The only adults allowed on outings are registered leaders, and parents of scouts. Youth Protection policies are strictly enforced so background checks are largely uneeded.

The biggest problem with background checks are they are mostly cosmetic. In case of a lawsuit they show that precautions were taken. Rarely will a background check expose a child molester.The sad staistics are that a very small fraction are ever reported let alone prosecuted and and found guilty. They are the only ones that a background check will expose. most molesters are like the largest portion of an iceberg, below the visibility line.

[Lynda J]

Our troop's Charter Org is the Lion's Club. They do a back ground check on every adult that registers. When I was first registering with the Pack I knew our Rep. through my business. He made the comment that he didn't need to run one on me. I told him I would prefer he did. THis way no one could ever say there was any problem. Let it all be part of the record. Since I have been a Notary for over 20 years and have to clear a BGC every 4 years through the state I don't worry.
I think it should be a National requirement.

[RWSmith]

Hmm... Notice anything? Three different methods address one issue.

First, the burden was placed upon the participant.
Second, the burden was left to the parent organization (BSA).
Third, the burden was taken up by the Sponsoring Organization.

Each has it's own advantages and disadvantages.

[wagionvigil]

I can truthfully say that councils do not complete a back ground check.

[Lynda J]

I am not sure that our Council does complete BGC but the Lion's club does. To the extent that one leader had some problems nearly 20 years ago with bad checks and it showed. The COR decided that it was long enough ago and she is still with the Pack. Thankfully because she is a great leader.

[teepeeayy]

How many troops if any are requiring Background checks of new leaders or adults that are camping with them
In PA.

Our chartered org. is an RC church here in PA. The diocese requires all adults in ANY organization that works with youth to also Safe Environment training for the prevention of child abuse.

I'm curious to see if any other diocese outside of Philly do the same.

[wagionvigil]

Many times just handing them the form to fill out and mail in solves the problem.In Pa. ther are two forms. One goes to the Pa state police and the other goes to the Child Abuse Center. Each Cost 10.00 at the applicants expense.

[commish3]

All Catholic diocese in the US require that any adult having direct contact with youth get a background check and take their Youth Protection course. Now where do you suppose they got a great idea like that from?

[Guneukitschik]

I thought that all councils were now required to complete a background check of all leaders...

I believe that is why the adult application was changed to now include the social security number.

[wagionvigil]

ASk in your council and see. Iknow several that are not due to cost.

[ICanCanoeCanU]

Even if not all councils check I'm sure it helps deture some people from signing up.

Our troop is sponsered by a catholic church which now requires everyone involved with the youth (even drivers during a carvan trip) to take a "Safe Environment training". Unfortunately our council and the church won't agree to count one of the other so all of us have to do both trainings.

[optimist]

Some councils may not be doing checks but our council does a background check on all new applicants. This is mentioned often by our DE along with the importance of getting those adult applications turned in as quickly as possible.

Also worth mentioning, we are in the process of starting a new cub pack at the local Methodist Church. We have been informed by their leadership that they also have contracted background check services and all leaders for that unit will go through their check as well.