Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Criminal Background Checks Protecting You, Rotary, and Our Students

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Rotary District 7770 and its member districts are committed to the safety and security of each of the young people who is in our care through the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Our Commitment

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Our Procedures  Personal references  In-home interviews  Orientation and training  Criminal background checks  Monthly student contacts

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Who do we check?  Anyone volunteer who has direct one-on-one unsupervised contact with students  Host family members 18 or over

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Ineligible  Anyone who does not provide references  Anyone who does not authorize a criminal background check  Any host who is not visited at home before and during the exchange

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Our Primary Concern  The primary concern is always to safeguard the best interests of the exchange students.

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Exclusion Discretion  To exclude altogether or limit a prospective volunteer’s/host’s participation in the District is exclusively at the discretion of the District

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Decision Factors  Considerations of the criminal conduct include, but are not limited to: Nature of offense(s)Nature of offense(s) SeveritySeverity Lapsed timeLapsed time

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Volunteers and hosts must sign a Youth Exchange Volunteer Affidavit authorizing District 7770 to conduct a background check

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Application must be accurate False information means automatic exclusionFalse information means automatic exclusion

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  District will rely on information in background report District has no control of or liability for information receivedDistrict has no control of or liability for information received

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  District requests National Criminal Background and Sex Offender Registry checks plus Social Security verification District is currently paying for all background checksDistrict is currently paying for all background checks

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  District obtains report from Spectrum Security and communicates results to Club YEO Positive reports notified by Positive reports notified by Negative reports sent to Alan Walters – his committee will review report and make a determination of the proper course of actionNegative reports sent to Alan Walters – his committee will review report and make a determination of the proper course of action

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Discussion and Decision by Alan Walter's Committee In some cases, may discuss disqualification with DG, District Chair, and Club YEOIn some cases, may discuss disqualification with DG, District Chair, and Club YEO

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Automatic disqualifications Crimes against childrenCrimes against children Felony offenses against personsFelony offenses against persons Felony offenses against the familyFelony offenses against the family Crimes of public indecencyCrimes of public indecency Crimes using weaponsCrimes using weapons ArsonArson Violent Crime or felony drug-related offensesViolent Crime or felony drug-related offenses Residing with a registered sex offenderResiding with a registered sex offender

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Possible disqualifications First offense DWI, DUI, or possession of a controlled substance under two ouncesFirst offense DWI, DUI, or possession of a controlled substance under two ounces Crimes involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, and forgeryCrimes involving theft, fraud, embezzlement, and forgery For all other criminal offenses (except traffic violations classified as misdemeanors)For all other criminal offenses (except traffic violations classified as misdemeanors)

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Notification Provide notice of possible action to volunteer before and after adverse decisionProvide notice of possible action to volunteer before and after adverse decision Include the individual's rights under the Fair Credit Reporting ActInclude the individual's rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Contesting Information Provide a written notice to the Alan Walters within ten days of being advised that participation has been denied.Provide a written notice to the Alan Walters within ten days of being advised that participation has been denied. Individual's responsibility to challenge the report received from Spectrum Security and to arrange for any corrections, if necessary.Individual's responsibility to challenge the report received from Spectrum Security and to arrange for any corrections, if necessary.

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Confidentiality Background check information kept by Spectrum Security and DistrictBackground check information kept by Spectrum Security and District Reference checks done and kept by Club YEO and DistrictReference checks done and kept by Club YEO and District Criminal checks done and kept by Spectrum Security, Inc. and maintained by individual checkedCriminal checks done and kept by Spectrum Security, Inc. and maintained by individual checked

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Records Retention Retained in secure files for ten yearsRetained in secure files for ten years Electronic files are acceptableElectronic files are acceptable Hard copies are alternativeHard copies are alternative

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Frequency of Background Checks Every five years for volunteers with continuous serviceEvery five years for volunteers with continuous service Significant change requires a new check (e.g. change of residence or Rotary club)Significant change requires a new check (e.g. change of residence or Rotary club) Host families annually unless continuousHost families annually unless continuous Host family members who are also volunteers are rechecked every five yearsHost family members who are also volunteers are rechecked every five years

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Criminal Background Checks by District 7770 Checks must be national and will be coordinated by District 7770 acting with authorizations obtained by Rotary Clubs.Checks must be national and will be coordinated by District 7770 acting with authorizations obtained by Rotary Clubs.

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Selection of Agent to Conduct Background Checks State authorities are not acceptableState authorities are not acceptable District is currently using Spectrum Security, but reserves the right to use another agent in the futureDistrict is currently using Spectrum Security, but reserves the right to use another agent in the future

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Procedures  Rates for Background Checks District 7770 will work with to develop the lowest possible rates that meet acceptable standards.District 7770 will work with to develop the lowest possible rates that meet acceptable standards.

Rotary District 7770 Youth Exchange /06 Protecting You, Rotary, and Our Students Criminal Background Checks