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Safe Volunteers

The safety of the children, youth, and vulnerable adults in our ministries is very important to us. All volunteers must pass a background check before working with these populations. Follow the directions below to start the process.

 

Those who work regularly in these ministries must get their Safe Gatherings and Rio Texas Trusted certification and recertify every two years.

Volunteering with an Event

All volunteers must pass a background check before working church events with children, youth and vulnerable adults. Download the background check form, fill out, and return to Pat Crawford, our Business Manager.

Volunteering in a Ministry

Those who work regularly in Children's, Youth, or our Respite Ministries must get their Safe Gatherings and Rio Texas Trusted certification and recertify every two years.

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Safe Gatherings Step 1:
Background Check

Register with Safe Gatherings

  • Go to safegatherings.com

  • Click on the red "Get Started" button at the top of the page.

  • Fill out the online application (see Application tips below)

  • Safe Gatherings will go to work processing the background check and reaching out to the applicant's designated references.

 

Need help? Check out this Tutorial 

Safe Gatherings Step 2:
Online Training Course

Complete Safe Gatherings Training

  • Go to safegatherings.com

  • Login using the blue button at the top of the page.

  • Click on the link to the right of the "Safe Gatherings Training Course." Alternatively, you can click the blue button under the list that says "Click here for Training Course."

  • Watch approximately 60-90 minute presentation of information on safety guidelines and best practices.

  • Take a test at the end of the training to show mastery of the course.

Safe Gatherings Step 3:
Attend a TRUSTed webinar for certification

Complete your Certification with TRUSTed con Confianza Online Training

  • Go to safegatherings.com

  • Login using the blue button at the top of the page.

  • Click on the "Click here to register" link to the right of "Trusted con Confianza Training"

  • This will take you to riotexas.org/safetrainings where you can select and register for an upcoming webinar. The Rio Texas Conference typically offers this training two to three times each month.

Step 4: Recertify Every Two Years

Trusted certification lasts two years. 90 days prior to the expiration of your certification, Safe Gatherings staff will contact you regarding your upcoming renewal. For information on the recertification process check out: steps for recertification.

Tips for Certification/Background Check

Filling out your application
(Begin Background Check)

  • Choose your organization

    • laity should choose their church

    • clergy should choose their district as their organization

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  • References:

    • One reference will automatically be sent to your senior pastor or the designated person for your organization's account (check with your organization if you are unsure of who this is)

    • Applicant will need to provide 2 additional references:

      • 1 personal or vocational reference

      • 1 clergy reference (other than your senior pastor, or the clergy administrating your organization's account), or another vocational reference.

    • Alert your references and encourage them to watch for an e-mail from Safe Gatherings. The reference will only take 2-3 minutes of their time.

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  • Cost: The conference is subsidizing the application fee and a portion of the background fee. Therefore individuals or their church are asked to pay $10 towards the background check fee. If an individual will be driving vulnerable persons, individuals or their church are asked to pay an additional $10.50 for the driver record check. The total cost to an individual and/or their church is either $10 or $20.50.

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Completing the certification process quickly:

(Full Safe Gatherings Certification)

Applicants should:

  1. Take the Safe Gatherings training as soon as possible upon application submission

  2. Inform their references so they will be responsive to calls and/or emails from Safe Gatherings.

  3. Verify the references contact information as up to date and current.

  4. Monitor progress by logging into their Safe Gatherings account

 

Church leadership should:

  1. Make sure staff and volunteers understand the 3 step certification process

  2. Check their church's Safe Gatherings account regularly to monitor progress of their ministry leaders

  3. Respond to any reference requests from Safe Gatherings as soon as possible (references take an average of 2-3 minutes to complete)

Tips
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