Fellowship Reformed Church Summarized CHILD PROTECTION POLICY.
For a copy of the policy in its entirety, please contact the church office.

Conduct and Guidelines for Kid's Ministry Volunteers

VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT

  1. My first priority in leading children or youth will be to provide an environment that assures the best welfare for children physically, socially, educationally, and spiritually.

  2. I will teach the approved curriculum to the best of my ability and will discuss any difficulties that I have with the curriculum with the Education Director and/or Education Team.

  3. I will not do anything that damages the trust and respect of children or youth for each other or for those in leadership or allow other youth to do so.

  4. I am aware that any sexual harassment of others will not be tolerated.

  5. I will follow the two adult rule: Two unrelated adults should be present whenever ministry is taking place with children or youth. If that is not possible, the door is to be left open or have a window in the door and a hall monitor in the halls.

  6. I will have all Off-Site activities pre-approved by the Education Director or the Youth Director.

  7. At least two unrelated volunteers shall be present at or before the time that any function or activity is scheduled to begin. At least two unrelated volunteers shall remain present at the conclusion of the activity until all children or youth are picked up by their parent or otherwise leave the activity.

  8. All music, songs, skits, games, literature, and videos shall not contain any obscenity, inappropriate sexual talk, or off-colored jokes.

  9. I will refrain from all conversation containing verbal abuse, demeaning comments, obscenity, inappropriate sexual talk, and off-colored jokes.

  10. I will use humor in a way that is edifying, and not at the expense or self-esteem of another person.

  11. I will follow Fellowship’s Discipline Procedures and will not use corporal punishment or force.

  12. No alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances shall be permitted at any church activity. (Doctor’s prescriptions do not apply.)

  13. I will refrain from any contact between workers, children, or youth that may have the appearance of impropriety.

  14. I will not pursue a dating or romantic relationship with another leader in the same ministry area.

  15. Young children must be escorted to the bathroom by an adult or helper who will remain outside the bathroom. The door will be left open if you must assist a child.

  16. I will be familiar with the emergency procedures and exit routes listed in my classroom.

  17. Very young children (through 1st grade) will be released only to those having proper id, or at the parent’s discretion.

  18. I will report any instance of physical or sexual abuse of which I am informed or witness at a church sponsored activity to the appropriate person(s).

  19. Fellowship’s understanding of appropriate sexual conduct come from the Scriptures which affirms intimate sexual activity between married heterosexual partners. It is quite natural, appropriate, and desirable for Christians to express and share their love and affection for each other. Expressions of love are essential for emotional and spiritual well-being and the development of a caring Christian community. The normal expression of Christian love to a child, youth, or adult will not be considered to be abuse, or be in any way prohibited or restricted by this Code of Conduct.

  20. Appropriate expressions of Christian love:

    1. Verbal expression of one’s Christian love to a child, youth, or adult

    2. Appropriate holding and comforting a child, youth, or adult

    3. Appropriate hugging or embracing, especially when initiated by the child or youth

    4. Allowing a child to sit on a worker’s lap; older children, youth, and adults will be asked to sit next to a worker

    5. Sharing emotional and spiritual concerns

    6. Using technology to encourage and edify a child or youth in their daily application of God’s Word.

    7. A same-sex mentoring relationship with a child or youth; All mentoring conversations must be in compliance with this Volunteer Code of Conduct as well as the Child Protection Policy of FRC.

    8. Providing necessary medical care and attention

    9. Encouraging a child, youth, or adult to express and share their Christian love for one another

    10. Communicating via phone call, text, email, face-to-face interactions, or public interactions on social media.

  21. Prohibited conduct:

    1. Sexual exploitation, harassment, or molestation of a child, youth or adult

    2. Displaying or disseminating any sexually explicit material. (Excluding approved curriculum to be used within our church)

    3. Hitting, kicking, slapping, shoving, or in any way physically harming a child, youth, or adult.

    4. Selling, giving, or furnishing a child or youth with any tobacco substance, alcohol, or controlled drugs

    5. Using profanity, obscene, foul, or sexually explicit language in the presence of a child, youth, or adult.

    6. Demonstrating, or even thinking about, a romantic or sexual interest in a child or youth.

    7. Removing clothing from a child, youth, or adult, except when appropriate under necessary circumstances.

    8. Using technology to communicate with a child or youth in order to develop a relationship beyond mentoring.

    9. Wearing anything but appropriate attire in the presence of a child, youth, or adult, as outlined in FRC’s dress code.

    10. Kissing a child or youth on the lips or in an intimate area.

    11. Extended or unwanted hugging or embracing of a child, youth, or adult

    12. Remaining in a room, parked vehicle, or private place alone with a child or youth unless circumstances make it unavoidable.

    13. Denying anyone, who is not a threat to a child or youth, access into a room, vehicle, or other place in which a worker is present with a child or youth.

    14. Sleeping in any room or an enclosed area with a single child or youth or allowing a child or youth to sleep in any area with another child or youth or the opposite sex.

    15. Communicating with youth between the hours of 9:00pm and 7:00am unless in an emergency.

    16. Communicating via social media private messaging.

MINISTRY GUIDELINES

  1. An adult volunteer or an approved youth leader will be present and in charge at all times during Youth/Children’s programming.

  2. Doors will be attended at all times so children do not exit Children and Worship unattended.

  3. Only adult female volunteers may assist children with additional bathroom needs.

  4. It is recommended that each classroom be staffed by at least one approved volunteer and one helper.

  5. When speaking privately with a student, the classroom door is to remain open and another adult is to be in close proximity.

  6. It is recommended that all preschool children be escorted to the bathroom door by a volunteer.

  7. Junior Helpers may begin serving in Children and Worship when they enter fifth grade, after they have attended appropriate training provided by Fellowship. All other helpers in Children and Worship must be 12 or older.

OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITY GUIDELINES

  1. Any off-campus activity must be approved by the appropriate ministry team. For off-campus activities another approved volunteer other than a family member must be present.

  2. Proper written consent and medical release forms (attachment 3) are required for each student participating in off-campus activities.

  3. Whenever possible, there must always be two adults present when bringing kids home from an outing, unless prior arrangements have been made and parents know the time of arrival.

  4. Appropriate adult/student ratios shall be ensured by the volunteer in charge:

    1. Preschool – 4th grade = 1 adult per 6-8 students

    2. 5th = 1 adult per 8-12 students

  5. Any one-on-one meeting between a youth sponsor and a student is to be held in a public place with others present, and parent approval.

  6. Volunteers will protect the privacy of children or youth, as well as their own, in regards to lodging and bathing.

DRESS CODE

The task of a ministry leader is to honor God and present the Gospel of Christ. Anything that calls attention away from that prime task should be eliminated. I Cor. 12:23b “…the parts (of our body) that are unpresentable (private) are treated with special modesty. Therefore, we present the following dress code for those in a leadership position:

Inappropriate dress for women:

  • Halter tops/dresses

  • Strapless or spaghetti strap tops/dresses

  • Going bra-less

  • Showing cleavage

  • Too revealing (apparel which is too tight)

  • Nothing shorter than approximate knee length

  • T-shirts with inappropriate graphics or political advertisements

  • Short tops showing midriffs

Inappropriate dress for men:

  • Tank tops

  • Sleeveless shirts

  • T-shirts with inappropriate graphics or political advertisements

  • Short shirts showing stomachs

  • Low ride pants that reveal undergarments

ABUSE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Any worker who suspects that abuse has occurred during or surrounding a Fellowship Reformed Church sponsored activity must report such suspicions to a current Fellowship Reformed Church Elder or the Pastor as soon as possible, not to exceed 24 hours.

  • The worker suspecting such abuse should keep his suspicions confidential telling only the Elder or Pastor.

  • The worker should take the child or youth seriously. Even if the child or youth has fabricated the claim, help is needed.

  • The worker should get only as much information as is necessary to determine the nature of the alleged abuse.

  • The worker should not attempt to undertake an in-depth factual investigation of the accusations. He should not use leading questions or questions which suggest an answer. Questions like “Tell me what happened” are appropriate.

  • The worker should make his report to the Pastor or Elder promptly and give as many details as he can remember.