Safe Gatherings Resources

Policy Models and Samples:

Policy for Protection of Children, Youth and Adults from Vulnerable Populations — This boiler plate allows a church to fill in the blanks to create a policy for the protection of children, youth and adults from vulnerable populations in the local church. (Word) (PDF)

Local Church Computer and Internet Use guidelines — This is a list of guidelines for computer and Internet use in the local church. 

• Download a sample policy and covenent, courtesy Cedarville UMC in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.
   
• Social Media guidelines — Ideas shared in this document are meant to help church leaders, particularly those who work with children and youth, safely engage parishioners using social media in a responsible way.
   
• Parental Permission to Contact Youth — These are some guidelines for obtaining permission from parents to contact youth in the church through electronic means such as cell phone, email and social networking sites.
   
• Talent and Model Agreement — This document can serve as a guideline for crafting a permission slip to allow you to video or photograph children and vulnerable adults. It's also good for presenters whose material you hope to record and show at a later date.

United Methodist Resources:

United Methodist Sexual Ethics website

United Methodist Book of Resolutions 2012 — Resolution #2044 "Sexual Misconduct Within Ministerial Relationships" pp 134-140

State of Kansas:

Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children - This law applies to this area of ministry
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
Kansas Bureau of Investigation offender site

State of Nebraska:

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Children and Family Services
Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry search

CyberSafety Training Kit for families and churches:

A new training CD developed by the General Board of Disicpleship (GBOD) is now available to help churches and community groups protect children and youth from the perils of the digital world of cell phones and cyberspace.

The CyberSafety for Families Training Kit allows the church to be more directly involved in providing awareness and training around technology to help ensure children and youth are protected as they navigate the Internet world.

The training kit's CD includes a section on "what you need to know first," a planning guide, teaching plans with schedule options, handouts and a slide presentation. Subjects include safety in the high tech world of computers, cell phones, video games and social networking Web sites.

The kit is available for $35 plus shipping from The Upper Room (www.upperroom.org) and Cokesbury (www.cokesbury.com) and also at Cokesbury bookstores nationwide. The kit also is available from the Church Resource Center in the conference office.

Other:

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence.