Volunteer Application Form

All persons who, for the first time, are applying and/or being considered for a volunteer position with Haven Community Church that will require or result in frequent interaction with children or youth (more than 15 contact hours per year) shall be required to complete this application. The application shall be submitted to the Sunday School Director or the individual responsible for child and youth event.
Date

Please enter as State - License #. If no license, please enter NONE.

Safe Child Policy Agreement & Procedures

I have been provided with, read and agree to abide by the Haven Community Church Safe Sanctuaries Manual. I understand that the guidelines, policies, and procedures contained within are intended for the safety and protection of all the children, youth, employees, volunteers, and leaders involved in the programs and services of Haven Community Church.

Parent of children being served, ministers and administration/professional staff of the Church have the right to observe any activity or programs of Haven at any time. At no time will anyone working with children have a one-to-one meeting behind closed doors.

All staff and volunteers working with children must wear a photo ID provided by Haven. All infants and children through Kindergarten must wear a check-in nametag. The class, program, or activity leader will keep attendance.

At no time shall less than two unrelated child with one unrelated adult volunteer. If there is only one child, the volunteer should escort the child back to the parent/guardian or another age appropriate group.

When a preschool child needs assistance using the bathroom, an adult may assist and must follow these guidelines: no person under thirteen should help children unless accompanied by an adult; the bathroom door must be left open while the adult/assistant is present.

An adult should escort a group of elementary school-aged children to the restroom. Except in cases of emergency, volunteers should avoid taking a child to the restroom alone. If it is necessary to take a child to the restroom alone, the volunteer shall observe the open door policy. If a child must be sent to the restroom alone, without an adult, the volunteer who sends the child to the restroom shall establish a short time-frame for the child’s return.

Physical contact with children should be appropriate to their ages and development. Adults shall avoid initiating full contact, body-to-body hugs/kisses. Children five years or younger may sit on an adult’s lap. Lap sitting should be discouraged with school age children while youth (6th grade and older) shall not be permitted to sit on an adult’s lap. Gentle contact during activities may occur in the forms of pats on children’s backs, shoulders, arms or hands.

I agree that child discipline will be carried out through instruction, training, correction and positive reinforcement. PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT AND HUMILIATION SHALL NEVER BE USED. The following steps will be followed upon observing inappropriate behavior:

Discipline Steps

* Identify the inappropriate behavior and explain why it is inappropriate;
* Suggest an alternative behavior;
* Remind the child or youth that if the action continues a consequence will ensue;
* Physical contact should be limited to a gentle restraint;
* For second offenses, follow-through with the consequence;
* After taking action, remind the child or youth of an alternative behavior, and;
* For third offenses, the child or youth should be removed from the activity and the parents of the child or youth shall be contacted.

Certification and Authorization

I agree to comply and assist with Haven Community Church's requirement for annual background checks of all volunteers and staff who interact with our children.

I certify by my signature below that (1) I have never been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony; (2) no civil, criminal, ecclesiastical complaint has been sustained* or is pending** against me for sexual misconduct or child abuse; and that I have never resigned or been terminated from a position for reasons related to sexual misconduct or child abuse.

Electronic Signature

By my electronic signature below, I hereby certify and affirm that the information in this form is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further certify and affirm that I have read the above certification form and fully understand that the information obtain may be used to deny me appointment as a volunteer of Haven Community Church. I also agree that I will hold harmless Haven Community Church and its agents, employees, the employing or judicial authority or any other entity from any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action for legitimate release of any information related to sexual misconduct, child abuse or felony criminal history.
Date

Legal Definitions

For purposes of this form, the term “sustained” shall mean: (1) in a criminal court “sustained” means that there has been a guilty plea, a guilty verdict or plea-bargain; (2) in a civil court, “sustained” means that there has been a judgement against the defendant. For purposes of this form, the term “pending” shall mean: (1) in a criminal court, “pending” means a criminal charge before a grand jury, in the process of being prosecuted, or in a case in which there is not yet a verdict; (2) in a civil court, “pending” means a case in which there has not been a decision or judgment.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.