TEN
QUESTIONS EVERY PARENT SHOULD BE ASKING THEIR CHURCH
ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN’S SAFETY AND SECURITY
1. Do we have policies and procedures
in writing addressing the hiring/selection, training and supervision of
those people working with our children and youth?
2. Do we have everyone working with children and youth fill out an application?
3. Do we check references of the volunteers and employees working with
our children and youth?
4. Do we have new visitors and members wait a period of time (six months
recommended) before we allow them to care for and interact with our children
and youth?
5. Do we conduct criminal background checks on everyone employed in our
organization that may have any direct or indirect contact with children
and youth?
6. Do we strictly adhere to the rule that no adult should ever be alone
with a child?
7. Do we have safe and recommended adult/child ratios for all activities?
8. Do we have a clear child check-in and check-out procedure in classrooms
where only designated people are permitted to do either?
9. Do we have a policy that states that no minor should care for children
in a church-related activity without the direct supervision of an adult?
10. Do we have a clearly stated and posted sexual misconduct reporting
procedure that meets our state required guidelines?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY CUSTODIAN
SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT THEIR CHURCH’S SAFETY AND SECURITY
1. Are the stairways and hallways well-lit
to prevent falls?
2. Do I place warning cones out when I mop or wax the floor?
3. Are there mops, buckets, rags and cones easily accessible to others
when I am not in the church?
4. Are all paints, thinners, and other flammables locked up, ventilated,
and well marked?
5. Do I check for slip, trip and fall hazards both inside and outside?
6. Are my tools and equipment inspected regularly and in good working
order?
7. Do I use safe, appropriate ladders for any job that I need to reach
heights?
8. Do I utilize the buddy system when climbing or doing any potentially
dangerous jobs?
9. Do we have a clearly defined system for me and others to report hazards
and get them corrected quickly?
10. Do I do a walk-around visual inspection of every room at the end of
every day?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY USHER SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT
CHURCH SAFETY AND SECURITY
1. Before anyone arrives, has the parking
area been inspected for hazards (cracks, debris, ice/snow, etc)?
2. Before anyone arrives, have the entry areas been inspected for hazards
(steps in disrepair, loose railings, ice/snow, carpets and entry pads,
lighting, etc)?
3. Before anyone arrives, have the halls and worship areas been inspected
for any hazards (loose or wrinkled carpet, wet floors, debris, electrical
concerns, etc)?
4. As people arrive, am I watching for suspicious people who may be there
to do harm or something other than worship?
5. Do I have a way to communicate with other ushers or people in other
places in the church should there be an emergency?
6. Do I know where the fire extinguishers, first aid kits, defibrillators
and access to outside phones are in case of an emergency?
7. Have I been trained on how to administer CPR?
8. Once the service starts, am I or other ushers walking the other areas
of the building for security issues?
9. If there were an act of violence, robbery or emergency, would I know
exactly how to respond and how to assist others in staying safe?
10. Once the service is over, do I make sure everyone exits the facility
safely and have I inspected for hazards before I leave?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY TREASURER
AND FINANCIAL SECRETARY SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH SAFETY AND SECURITY
1. Do I make sure that there are always
at least two unrelated adults with the money from the time of the collection
to the time of deposit?
2. Do I make sure the counters always reconcile the offering and sign
off on the counters sheet?
3. Do I make sure that money is always locked up in a safe or behind at
least two locks?
4. Do I ensure that when the money is taken to the bank for deposit that
at least two people take it and that they follow safe practices?
5. Do we keep petty cash locked up and reconciled with receipts?
6. Are we using signed, authorized vouchers to make purchases?
7. Do we have adequate separation between ushers, counters, financial
secretary and treasurer?
8. Do we conduct regular, documented audits of all accounts?
9. Are those people handling money bonded?
10. Is there a written policy for the handling of funds?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY MEMBER
SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH SAFETY AND SECURITY
1. Do I always lock my car in the parking
lot?
2. After dark, do I enter and exit the church building with another person?
3. Do I always look around for suspicious people before exiting my car
in the church parking lot?
4. Do I keep my purse and valuables with me or locked up while in the
building?
5. Do I keep my keys with me and remember never to leave them in my coat
pocket hanging on the coat rack?
6. Do I know where all emergency exits are located in case of an emergency?
7. Do I always do physical duties at church with another person present?
8. Do I always lock the facility when I am last to leave?
9. Do I always keep the church keys secure?
10. 1. Do I report hazards or suspicious and dangerous activities when
I see them?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY YOUTH PASTOR SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH SAFETY
AND SECURITY
1. Have we completed background and reference
checks on all youth workers?
2. Do all volunteers have to attended church for at least six months before
they can work with minors?
3. Do all of the youth workers, including myself, always adhere to the
“never-alone- with-a-minor” (or two-adult) rule?
4. Do we have all participants in risky activities and trips complete
a “Consent to Treat Form” and a “Permission Slip?”
5. Do we always have sufficient supervision (ratios) in all activities?
6. Do we screen those who drive youth on trips and to activities?
7. Do we adequately train participants and leaders in any risky or physical
or physical activities?
8. Is all equipment and activity area inspected prior to any activity?
9. Are all youth and workers aware of the reporting rules and procedures
for your state?
10. Is safety more important to me than being popular?
If you answered “no” to any
of these questions, corrective action is highly recommended.
TEN
QUESTIONS EVERY CHILDREN’S WORKER SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH
SAFETY AND SECURITY
1.
Do we screen all children’s workers?
2. Do all volunteers have to attended church for at least six months before
they can work with children?
3. Do we train all volunteers and employees who work with children?
4. Do all of the children’s workers, including myself, always adhere
to the “never-alone-with-a-minor” (or two-adult) rule?
5. Do we always have sufficient supervision (ratios) in all activities?
6. Do we inspect the nursery and children’s are each week for hazards
(and document it)?
7. Is someone responsible for inspecting and documenting the inspection
of equipment (inside and outside)?
8. Are all “tip hazards” secured?
9. Are all children’s workers aware of the reporting rules and procedures
for your state?
10. Are we doing everything we possibly can to protect the children of
our church?
If
you answered “no” to any of these questions, corrective action
is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY PASTOR SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH SAFETY AND SECURITY
1.
Have I appointed a person or committee to oversee all safety, security
and risk management issues for the church?
2. Have we allocated funds to educate our team and members and implement
adequate safeguards?
3. Is our church facility, members and personnel secure at all times?
4. Do we have written policies and procedures for safety, security, risk
management and personnel (paid and volunteer)?
5. Is someone responsible to routinely inspect the facility and document
the inspection?
6. Do we screen (backgrounds checks and/or reference checks) all workers
that have contact with minors?
7. Do we have an emergency response plan for all emergencies?
8. Has the staff been trained on their role in regards to emergencies,
allegations, sexual misconduct and harassment, and hazardous activities?
9. Do I recognize that by not having safety, security and risk management
practices and procedures in place I am putting the entire ministry of
the church at risk?
10. Am I willing to commit the time, energy and resources necessary to
make sure I am a good steward of the people, property and resources God
has entrusted to my care?
If
you answered “no” to any of these questions, corrective action
is highly recommended.
TEN QUESTIONS EVERY BOARD MEMBER SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH
SAFETY AND SECURITY
1.
Does our church have a practices and procedures (or by-laws) manual that
addresses operations, church safety, security, and ministry protection?
2. Do we always follow the practices and procedures (or by-laws) manual
when making decisions?
3. Does our church have an employee manual and job descriptions for all
volunteer and employee positions?
4. Do we have a designated person or committee responsible for the communication,
education and oversight of the safety, security and ministry protection
of our church?
5. Is our church incorporated to protect it and the board from lawsuits?
6. Have we had our insurance coverage analyzed to determine if we have
adequate levels of coverage (especially directors and officers, liability
and property)?
7. Do we insist on safeguards and levels of protection when it comes to
the handing and reporting of church finances?
8. Do we have an accurate accounting of all equipment and resources within
our facility? And is such an inventory list kept off site in case the
building is destroyed?
9. Does our church have a designated attorney that we rely on when making
major decisions?
10. As a board member, am I quite confident that I have a clear understanding
of decision-making process, ministry, and operations of my church?
If
you answered “no” to any of these questions, corrective action
is highly recommended.
TEN
QUESTIONS EVERY CHURCH OFFICE WORKER SHOULD BE ASKING ABOUT CHURCH SAFETY
AND SECURITY
1.
Do I feel safe at all times when I am at work?
2. Do we have an emergency plan in place should I ever feel threatened
or fearful?
3. Have I ever had an ergonomics review of my work area?
4. Does our church have a sexual harassment or misconduct policy in place?
5. Has the office area been inspected for any safety/fire hazards?
6. Is cash (personal and church) locked up behind two locks?
7. Do I have an advocate or committee that I fell comfortable going to
(other than the pastor) about concerns I may have about the church in
general, office operations and personnel issues?
8. Are emergency contact numbers posted near my work area?
9. Do I have a data back-up procedure where critical data is either copied
to a disc and taken off site or electronically sent to an off-site server
10. Does the church have a written job description for my position?
If
you answered “no” to any of these questions, corrective action
is highly recommended.