Page 1 of 5
background check
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 11:07 am
by Penny
For Camp this year we have to fill this out..
SOME of my issues with this is:
Why dose the camp need to do a credit report?
What is this other reports as deemed necessary by the COGOP?
Why do they need an employment history? Why do they need to know where I have worked
And motor vehicles records? I am not taking the kids any where why is this needed?
Who all is going to get this information?
What is your take on this?
Re: background check
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 11:19 am
by RamboPreacher
Penny wrote:For Camp this year we have to fill this out..
SOME of my issues with this is:
Why dose the camp need to do a credit report?
What is this other reports as deemed necessary by the COGOP?
Why do they need an employment history? Why do they need to know where I have worked
And motor vehicles records? I am not taking the kids any where why is this needed?
Who all is going to get this information?
What is your take on this?
all part of the new security issue that the COGOP has been trying to get going for a while (that I am aware of).
While the individual parts may not necessarily be directly related to the work someone is volunteering (or paid) to do at church and church activities, they are doing due diligence in taking preventive measures in case of legal issues.
Unfortunately that is the world we live in. You may have a perfectly great children volunteer, as example, but if they have a record of ANY kind, and something happens (in one of various, many ways) to a child in their "care", the church is probably held liable. the person may be fully repentant and a changed person from their prior sins, but that record is part of the physical ramifications of their previous sin.
You may want to get with your local region/state and ask them what they "really" need from you, based on what your particular duties are. However, with that said, I wouldn't doubt that they need (or have decided to) to run full checks on everyone, and no exceptions.
that's my understanding, anyway.
Re: background check
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 11:32 am
by KBevangelist
Penny wrote:For Camp this year we have to fill this out..
SOME of my issues with this is:
Why dose the camp need to do a credit report?
What is this other reports as deemed necessary by the COGOP?
Why do they need an employment history? Why do they need to know where I have worked
And motor vehicles records? I am not taking the kids any where why is this needed?
Who all is going to get this information?
What is your take on this?
Penny,
Because I am close to this I can probably ease your tensions.
Insurance is requiring it. Only one person will have info and that is simply YES or NO, if it is a no then that person will be able to find out why or the reason behind the no.
As far as it being as indept as the letter sounds. It will not. This is the same type of background check that is done if you were applying for a secular job or church job for that matter anymore.
No worry
If you have any questions you can email me
KB
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 11:43 am
by dolfan
If a background check including a credit report is done to work in camp, it is too much. There's absolutely no reason why anyone needs to know a camp worker's financial picture, period, unless that person is handling money.
Background checks do not typically include credit reports. They usually only cover criminal matters in a state's database and through the NCIC, and perhaps administrative child abuse data where child care is involved. That's it.
It isn't enough to say, "Well, if you don't have anything to hide ....". Churches nor their insurers need that information for the purpose of working in a camp. Somebody needs to shop around for insurance. That is not right, it is intrusive, and it is just one more chink in privacy. And, no, not all insurers are doing it. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of it.
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 12:49 pm
by Billy n NC
This Subject came up at our training session back in March. And yes as KB has said it is a requirement of our camp insurance.
The way I read the document it is a very broad release. the company that has been contracted to do the background check will do what our state camping committee requires and no more. If the company did all that the release allows , it would cost a boatload of money and our state camping program would not be able to do that on the over 200 volunteers for camp.
I suspected that it would be a Thumbs Up or a Thumbs Down situation.
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 2:56 pm
by jinjer
I highly suggest that your camping committee find out the companies liability should the information be stolen. The original company that our previous church contracted with stated on their form that if anyone associated with them stole or gave out your information they held no responsibility. We found another company. However, the church didn't really think about it until several members that have security clearances pointed it out.
Just my .02
Jinjer
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 3:16 pm
by KBevangelist
jinjer wrote:I highly suggest that your camping committee find out the companies liability should the information be stolen. The original company that our previous church contracted with stated on their form that if anyone associated with them stole or gave out your information they held no responsibility. We found another company. However, the church didn't really think about it until several members that have security clearances pointed it out.
Just my .02
Jinjer
Already been done! But that is a great point
KB
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 4:59 pm
by PastorDaniel
I'm cool with the checks...being a foster parent I've already been checked out on more than one occaision.
However...this particular form is kinda scary...it states that "you release" them from "any" damages that could come from compliance with that particular check.
Does that mean...they lose the data or it's stolen by an employee....that they are not liable either...that's the way it reads to me.
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 5:04 pm
by KBevangelist
PastorDaniel wrote:I'm cool with the checks...being a foster parent I've already been checked out on more than one occaision.
However...this particular form is kinda scary...it states that "you release" them from "any" damages that could come from compliance with that particular check.
Does that mean...they lose the data or it's stolen by an employee....that they are not liable either...that's the way it reads to me.
I have one of the forms myself. And like I responded to Penny earlier, this is not the major thing everyone thinks it is. I could post more but not everything needs to be said and if there are questions, they should contact state office or camp coordinator.
Hey Daniel
I hope you are doing good and the church is doing good by the way
KB
Posted: April 25th, 2008, 6:21 pm
by dolfan
If you sign a document authorizing someone to do something, they can do it. I don't care what some committee says they say they or someone else will do. I care what they CAN do. That door is too wide for this circumstance. Criminal and child abuse background checks are the right thing, but there's no need to do financial searches on people. If there is an agreement as to the lack of any need to do that, then use a different form. This is precisely where things go awry. You cannot trust people to do what they say they will do to your face, but you can always count on them to do what you allow them to do on paper.
Posted: April 26th, 2008, 1:44 am
by Penny
dolfan-
could one sign the paper and write on the bottom of it they do not agree to the credit check, or mark through that part?
Posted: April 26th, 2008, 3:03 am
by jinjer
I'm cool with the checks...being a foster parent I've already been checked out on more than one occaision.
However...this particular form is kinda scary...it states that "you release" them from "any" damages that could come from compliance with that particular check.
Does that mean...they lose the data or it's stolen by an employee....that they are not liable either...that's the way it reads to me.
This is what I was talking about in my previous post. Yes if it states that, that is what it means. Our previous pastoral staff just glossed over that until my husband and some others that have security clearances questions what liability the company and it's employees hold. When questioned further, the company confirmed that the statement meant what it said, they and their associates are released from any damages as the result of any lost or stolen information.
Jinjer
Posted: April 26th, 2008, 5:54 am
by Full Quiver
it would cost a boatload of money and our state camping program would not be able to do that on the over 200 volunteers for camp.
What happens if the insurance company does not approve of the 200 applicant's backgrounds?
Could you explain what on earth one's credit has to do with tucking kids in at night, doing a craft class, making pb&j sandwiches, or teaching Bible classes?
I am for criminal background checks but somethings are just intrusive, ridiculous, and unethical. Everyone should always be concerned,
worry, when handing over their SS#, birth date, mother's maiden name, and banking info to ANYONE!
I have done background checks for employment and not authorized the credit search portion. Those forms were different and separate though and allowed for such.
I had a job once that "required" that I list any and all pains, sicknesses, injuries, health issues that I had ever had. I considered it none of their business and answered as I pleased.
Posted: April 26th, 2008, 6:16 am
by pastorables
Full Quiver wrote:
Everyone should always be concerned, worry, when handing over their SS#, birth date, mother's maiden name, and banking info to ANYONE!
Oh no, didn't we just give out our birthday on the American Idol Song Search contest?
pa
Posted: April 26th, 2008, 7:57 am
by Billy n NC
Full Quiver wrote:it would cost a boatload of money and our state camping program would not be able to do that on the over 200 volunteers for camp.
What happens if the insurance company does not approve of the 200 applicant's backgrounds?
Read KB post. We will get a YES OR NO. Period. no details. from background company. Not insurance company.
Could you explain what on earth one's credit has to do with tucking kids in at night, doing a craft class, making pb&j sandwiches, or teaching Bible classes?
Nothing they are doing a background criminal check only.
I am for criminal background checks but somethings are just intrusive, ridiculous, and unethical. Everyone should always be concerned,
worry, when handing over their SS#, birth date, mother's maiden name, and banking info to ANYONE!
They ask for SS# and Drivers license number. no banking info asked for. read the form.
I have done background checks for employment and not authorized the credit search portion. Those forms were different and separate though and allowed for such.
I kind of agree there. The form should have blocks where the person can check off what permission is being given for. Going forward our state camping committee may generate a form with more specific info being requested.
quote]