Volunteering

St. Paul said: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”  1 Cor. 12: 4-7

How To Get involved?

Those interested in serving should contact the Parish Office.

Before Volunteering Can Begin:

In order to undertake ministry in a parish or the diocese, volunteers must satisfy particular requirements depending upon volunteer frequency and the risk level of their position. The volunteer must satisfy the requirements for the ministry with the highest risk.

Those who volunteer regularly must satisfy the requirements of the risk level pertaining to their ministry or service. Those who volunteer for an annual one or two-day event prior to the event must read and sign the “Safe Parish & Community Pledge” and, if the ministry/service is categorized high risk, undergo a Criminal Record Check and it indicates children, youth, vulnerable adults and finances are not at risk. There are no requirements for those who offer “on the spot” help while at an event, but they are not to take a supervisory role.

Procedure for volunteers undertaking a ministry or service designated General Risk:

• The volunteer completes a Volunteer Application form and provides two references from parish members
• The pastor and/or parish staff may serve as references for a long-time parishioner of good reputation who has volunteered previously in the parish
• Named references complete and submit a Ministry Letter of Reference form to the pastor
• If there are any concerns expressed on the reference form, the pastor or his delegate follow up
• The volunteer reads and signs the “Safe Parish & Community Pledge”
• The pastor is responsible to decide if an existing general-risk level volunteer requires documented references
• The pastor approves the volunteer for ministry and notifies the volunteer
• Completed “Volunteer Application” and “Ministry Letter of Reference” for volunteers are kept in a secure file in the parish office
• Completed “Safe Parish & Community Pledge” forms are sent to the Diocesan Office where they are kept in a secure file

Procedure for volunteers undertaking a ministry or service designated High Risk:

• The volunteer completes the requirements of the General Risk volunteer, as noted above, and in addition, is required to
• Complete a Criminal Record Check and it indicates children, youth, vulnerable adults and finances are not at risk
• Attend a mandatory orientation session: “Developing a Safe Parish & Community”
• Completed Criminal Record Checks are sent to the Diocesan Office where they are kept in a secure file

Criteria for determining risk level

Ministries are assigned a risk level of either General Risk or High Risk based on four criteria as outlined in the following chart.

If any ONE of the criteria applies, the position is considered High Risk; if none apply, it is considered of General Risk.

Participant: 

• child under 19 years of age
• a physically/mentally/emotionally vulnerable person
• a non-able-bodied senior

Setting:

• an isolated place (private home, cabin, tent, etc.)
• a room without windows
• an automobile
• a private one-on-one setting

Activity:

• visits in a home, hospital or nursing home
• overnight events
• activity that is of high physical or emotional intensity (for example: coaching or counselling)
• direct handling of money
• access to church buildings, offices, computers, files or property (includes those entrusted with a key to parish buildings)
• access to confidential information

Supervision:

• little or no direct supervision
• no documentation of meetings or events

Note: Young people under the age of 16 are never given tasks that would categorize their ministry or service as High Risk. As volunteers or employees they are ALWAYS under supervision and therefore categorized as General Risk.