Please read the following rules carefully and indicate your agreement below:
PURPOSE: These guidelines and the affirmation statements which follow are instituted for the sake of the Gospel and precious children. In an unprecedented time of lawsuits for sexual misconduct it is essential that all our coaches and staff recognize the danger of any inappropriate contact and even the danger of appropriate contact when misrepresented by this nation’s legal systems. To protect our workers from legal action and to protect our church and camp from irrecoverable legal problems, please read, agree to, and sign the following guidelines and statements. It has been said that money-grubbing lawyers are no longer “ambulance chasers,” but “church chasers”.
You are not to act as the child's "friend" in a childish manner. You are his coach and/or counselor. You must keep your authority status at all times. You may be "friendly" but always conduct yourself with respect and dignity befitting an adult.
Endeavor to never touch any child. If found necessary to touch a child, please remember that in the event of a legal problem, touching will be reviewed by authorities in a very suspicious and critical manner. You may put your arm around a child’s shoulders only at the altar. 90% of all suits brought against a church are brought against males.
Endeavor to only touch children when necessary and then only from the shoulders up. This sounds impersonal, but need not be; be very conscious of our lawsuit-prone society, especially parents looking for a contrived suit that can land them hundreds of thousands of dollars.
No person should ever be alone with a child. If at all possible, always have at least two adults present. Always have doors open if it is ever necessary to deal one-on-one with a child.
Children are not to be permitted to sit on any worker's lap.
As a general policy, children should not be hugged or kissed by church workers. Be aware that a prosecuting attorney will make ANY contact appear as a sensuous evil act.
If possible, avoid assisting a child who has wet or soiled his clothes. Endeavor to instruct the child on how to clean themselves without your direct assistance (as frustrating as that may be). You may hand the child what they need, but do not directly clean or wash the child.
Avoid helping a young boy with his zipper, football pants, etc.
Do not expose yourself to children while changing in the dorms!
If anything happens that can be considered inappropriate, the camp directors should be notified at once.
As a staff member/counselor at The Midwest Christian Boys’ Football Camp, I have read and understood the above guidelines and affirm the following statements.
