CCLS Volunteer Handbook

Volunteer Expectations 

What can Volunteers Expect: 

• Leaders who are available and helpful
• Orientation and training
• Ongoing support
• Honest, caring feedback to increase the effectiveness of ministry

What we expect from volunteers:

• Reliability and promptness, with early notice when unable to serve
• Follow the event procedures
• Practice professional ethics of confidentiality regarding youth, fellow volunteers and staff
• Completion of tasks within the mutually agreed-upon time frames
• Response to communications from leaders within a reasonable time
• Working as a member of the team
• Giving and accepting honest, caring feedback to increase ministry effectiveness

Volunteer Code of Conduct

As a volunteer of CCLS, I will be the hands and feet of Jesus by agreeing to do the following:

• Treat fellow volunteers, youth, staff, and others with kindness and respect.
• Be professional in dress, manner, and presentation.
• Support the mission of CCLS and speak highly of the ministry opportunities that are provided.
• Always maintain professional boundaries including using only appropriate touching (hugs or similar gestures within sight of other adults).
• Maintain a constructive attitude and courteous demeanor while volunteering.
• Only do what is in the best personal, spiritual, and educational interest of every child.
• Follow through on promises and communicate openly with my supervisor, fellow volunteers, and others as necessary.
• Report any inappropriate conduct or relationship between an adult and a student immediately to my supervisor.

Background Checks

Background checks will be performed on volunteers over the age of 18 who work with youth (under 18). All applicants for volunteer positions will be required to authorize a background check through the Missouri State Highway Patrol and/or Protect My Ministry Inc. A link to authorize this check can be found at the end of this document. CCLS reserves the right to recheck volunteers on an annual basis.

Adults who have been convicted of either sexual or physical abuse will not be allowed to volunteer with youth at CCLS. CCLS reserves the right to bar volunteers from service based on circumstances discovered during the background check. Volunteers who present to a group when the teacher/staff is present are not required to get a background check.

Rule of Three

Always be in groups of three or more (i.e., two adults and at least one child or one adult and at least two children). The Rule of Three exists to avoid having one adult alone with students. If not possible, use an open-door policy. Open door policy is defined as the door to the room where children and volunteers are meeting will be left open unless the room or door has a window. Activities in public spaces such as hallways are also appropriate.

Confidentiality

Volunteers often have the opportunity to observe interaction among youth, staff, and others. Information obtained is confidential and should not be shared with others. Breaching confidentiality can be hurtful to children, their families, and staff. Any concerns regarding information shared with you by a child, or a child’s behavior, achievement, and/or needs should be directed to the supervising staff person.

Child Abuse / Neglect Reporting Obligations

In accord with CCLS policy and Missouri State Law 210,105 (or other current legislation), school staff is obligated under penalty of fine and jail term to report the reasonable suspicion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, emotional deprivation, physical neglect, inadequate supervision, or sexual abuse and exploitation. In this very serious and legally narrow area, the school will not contact parents in advance of making a report to legal authorities (which would be the procedure followed in most other legal matters). The clear intent of the law, based on the seriousness of the crimes listed above, is to mandate that a report of reasonable suspicion of abuse be made. School staff will make such reports in the best interests of the affected child; staff do not, once reasonable suspicion is established, have any legal alternative except to make the report to the proper authorities for their investigation and review.

Any volunteer who suspects or receives knowledge that a child may be abused or neglected shall immediately report such a case to the Missouri Department of Social Services. The volunteer shall also promptly notify the overseeing staff member that a report has been made. Resources and training can be found at https://dss.mo.gov. The Hotline is: 1-800-392-3738. Resources are also available at the school office upon request. The preference is for the volunteer to make the report in coordination with CCLS staff, but if time is of the essence or circumstances dictate, volunteers may report directly to authorities and update CCLS staff immediately afterwards.

Statement of Faith

We Believe...

...in the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

...that God the Father has created the universe and everything in it.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

...that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man; that He suffered and died for us on the cross; He rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and will return at the last day to judge both the living and the dead.

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” 1 Thess. 4:14

...that the Holy Spirit calls us to faith and leads us to a sanctified life here and on earth.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39

...that the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God in all its parts.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

...that our salvation is assured when we acknowledge Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior by accepting His death on the cross as the atonement for our sins.

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: ... know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:8-12

...that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. (Psalm 139)

...that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Gen 1:26-27.) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.

...that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. (Gen 2:18-25)

...that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Cor 6:18; 7:2-5; Heb 13:4.)

...that any form of sexual immorality is sinful and offensive to God. (Matt 15:18-20; 1 Cor 6:9-10.)

...that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Christ Community Lutheran School, and to provide a biblical role model to the Christ Community Lutheran School members and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by Christ Community Lutheran School in any capacity, or who serve as volunteers, agree to and abide by these statements on sexuality. (Matt 5:16; Phil 2:14-16; 1 Thess 5:22.)

...that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Rom 10:9-10; 1 Cor 6:9-11.)

....that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31.) Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture.

...that Scripture is the final authority for matters of belief and conduct.

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of Christ Community Lutheran School’s faith, doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline, our Board of Directors is Christ Community Lutheran School’s final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application.