| Five members of
Deep River Community Church attended a workshop of the
Presbytery of Lanark and Renfrew of the Presbyterian Church in
Canada on protecting vulnerable people in 2003 October.
The Policy to protect vulnerable people in Deep River
Community Church was passed by Council 2003 11 30.
POLICY For Protection and Care of
Vulnerable People
It is the policy of Deep River Community
Church that all persons, in particular children,
youth and vulnerable adults, who participate in
and/or use the facilities of Deep River Community
Church, shall be cared for with Christian compassion
and be safe. This shall be achieved by following
procedures that prevent or mitigate against unsafe
actions or situations, that prepare (train and
exercise) people to prevent or minimize unsafe
actions, that respond with the legal and
compassionate steps should any unsafe situation
occur and that provide recovery with Christian
compassion for all parties affected should there be
any unsafe occurrence.
This policy covers federal and provincial
requirements under their laws and regulations,
insurance requirements, due diligence and Christian
compassion.
2003-11-30
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An agreement for those renting space in our church buildings was
prepared and use started in 2004. It covers release of
liability, etc. Also police checks were started in 2004 with Bea
McIntosh as Secretary and Rod Delaney as Co-ordinator CMD as the
two authorized by the OPP to receive the police checks on behalf
of Deep River Community Church.
Two documents were drafted in 2005 November, "Leading with
Care" and "Supporting with Care", and the membership of the
Leading with Care Committee was passed by Council on 2005
December 11. The membership comprises the Chair (who must be
knowledgeable in "Leading with Care"), the Minister, the Chair
of Council, and the Chairs of Christian Education and of
Membership. In the first document, it is stated that the
Ministers and Council will set an example and will model to the
congregation their commitment to safety and prevention including
agreeing to a Police Records Check. Also in the first document,
the method of reviewing risks are outlined. The italicized
portion of the policy is the focus of the "Supporting with Care"
document..
Rod Delaney attended the subsequent workshop at the Renfrew
Presbyterian Church in 2006 February 18. It was lead by David
Phillips, the Leading with Care Co-ordinator for the
Presbyterian Church in Canada. The main body of the workshop was
three scenarios which were to be considered by the individual
churches. As the only representative of Deep River Community
Church, Rod sat with the representatives of the host church.
As part of the Kids' Church Leaders workshop in the fall of
2006, a presentation on Leading with Care was given to the
leaders.
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