Criminal Background Checks

[Nuts4Scouts]

National will be requiring background checks on those volunteers who have not had one done as of yet. The affected volunteers will have from June 1 - Aug 1, 2008, to consent to a background check and provide the necessary information (SSN). Anyone who does not consent, will loose their registration until they turn in a new BSA application.

This will cover all BSA units and LFL Explorer posts.

[wagionvigil]

ABout Time

[AquilaNegra2]

*sigh* This will make it even MORE difficult to recruit volunteers. The checks are not limited to charges involving children - under the current system, everything comes up.

The best protection is two-deep leadership and supervision. Period.

[wagionvigil]

SHould we not want the same checkson our scout leaders as we do our educators? If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to worry about. Pa does not report Traffic Violations unless it is a DUI or a suspension offense

[ThunderingWind]

It was my understanding the United Methodist Church already required this of all adults involved with any youth program the church sponors.

Many insurance companies that cover our Chartering Organizations require this.

[evmori]

Great idea! Shoulda been done all along!

[ThunderingWind]

But who is paying for the checks? Are you going to ask your volunteers to pay the fee? Or is this now going to be part of the larger fund raising effort by FOS and national/Corporate sponsors? Or the BSA going to "require" teh COs to pay as part fo the Chartering experience?

Some police departments charge as little as $25.00, some as much as $250.00. Private security firms can go even higher (mine was $15,000, yes, $15,000 but I was getting a Defense Department TS clearance).

[wagionvigil]

Pa. is 10.00 for each one 10 for criminal check 10 for Child Abuse. You can deduct it from your taxes. It is simple. If you wish to stay in the program you will have the background checks done.

[DadScout]

Our CO already makes us submit to a background check and take their version of Youth Protection Training. It's about time National made sure the Councils did it to.

[evmori]

Pa. is 10.00 for each one 10 for criminal check 10 for Child Abuse. You can deduct it from your taxes. It is simple. If you wish to stay in the program you will have the background checks done.

Bingo!

[Quailman]

I don't get it. You mean not everyone gets one when they enrol? I know mine was done about 4 years ago, as I received a courtesy copy from the firm that provided the check.

[Nuts4Scouts]

National has been doing Criminal Background checks on new volunteers since 2003. This is NOT NEW.

They have a vendor they use for this and NATIONAL pays for it.

This is targeted strictly at those Scouters who have never filled out a NEW membership application with SSN and permission to run a background check.

[AquilaNegra2]

They have contracted with a branch of Equifax. No, it is not simply whether or not you have a criminal record. And, the form you sign absolves anyone of any responsibility for misuse, whether intentional or not.

"You shouldn't care if you have nothing to hide."

I have nothing to hide, but it's a privacy issue; and I resent the use of the SSN as an identifier. We've gone over this before, and no one is likely to change their minds. Most abuse is committed not by strangers, but by people known to the victim.

This is one more hoop for VOLUNTEERS to jump through; a big one that's going to make the pool even smaller.

[evmori]

They have contracted with a branch of Equifax. No, it is not simply whether or not you have a criminal record. And, the form you sign absolves anyone of any responsibility for misuse, whether intentional or not.

"You shouldn't care if you have nothing to hide."

I have nothing to hide, but it's a privacy issue; and I resent the use of the SSN as an identifier. We've gone over this before, and no one is likely to change their minds. Most abuse is committed not by strangers, but by people known to the victim.

This is one more hoop for VOLUNTEERS to jump through; a big one that's going to make the pool even smaller.

Then don't volunteer.

[FrankJ]

They have contracted with a branch of Equifax. No, it is not simply whether or not you have a criminal record. And, the form you sign absolves anyone of any responsibility for misuse, whether intentional or not.

At least in Georgia, you cannot sign away your right to sue. If some one does something illegal or negligent with the information, they are still potentially liable hold harmless clause or not.

I have the same issue with giving out my SSN, but I balance that with the need for organizations like the BSA to screen its leaders.[/b]

[wagionvigil]

PA now requires your DRivers # and SSN for a Fishing License.

[pipestone1991]

PA now requires your DRivers # and SSN for a Fishing License.

Geez...talk about all that info.......I remember in Philmont N.M. only required that you filled out this sheet which included the basics (name,address,birthdate, that was it!)

[deweylure]

Background checks have been policy for years,I do not see what the big deal is. As a matter of fact the Catholic Arch Diocease of Chicago requires all adults working with children even as athletic coaches and scouting activities have a background check. Illinois fishing licenses require you to answer questions about child support.

I think its a good policy,remeber this bad press can give a black eye to an organization that stays visible for a long time.

dewey

[AquilaNegra2]

Then don't volunteer.

Sadly, Ed, I am seeing this happen more and more.

[lifescoutforlife]

PA now requires your DRivers # and SSN for a Fishing License.

I just got my Pa fishing license the other day, I could not believe how much they wanted to know just to be able to go fishing.