Council Volunteer Management

Selection
Policy: Every adult volunteer shall be selected and appointed on the basis of interest, ability to perform the position, and willingness to participate in training. Placement will be made based upon Council Volunteer Development Policies and Procedures.

Affirmative Action for Volunteers
Policy: There shall be no discrimination in the recruitment, selection, training, placement, retention, and recognition of adult volunteers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin.

Application
Policy: Each applicant is required to fully complete and sign all authorizations as stated on the application form for the position.

References
Policy: Each applicant shall provide three (3) character references and shall authorize Circle T in writing to contact those references to make inquiry concerning the applicant.

Criminal Background History
Policy
Each applicant who seeks to act as a volunteer for Girl Scouts – Circle T Council, Inc., or any troop/group or other entity sponsored by or affiliated with it (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Circle T”) shall be required to disclose in writing the details of any crimes for which the applicant has been convicted or to which the applicant has pleaded guilty or no contest.
Each applicant shall give written authorization for Circle T to obtain a criminal background check pursuant to the Criminal History Information Act, Tex. Gov’t Code § 411.081. et seq., as currently in effect and as it may be amended from time to time.
Criminal Offenses. If Circle T learns that an applicant or volunteer has been convicted of, has pleaded guilty to, or has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor or felony under the laws of the State of Texas, another state, or the United States, the following shall apply:
For crimes against children, offenses against persons, offenses against the family, crimes involving weapons, arson, any violent crime or drug-related offense other than as provided in Section 3 C., that person will not be allowed to serve in any capacity.
For a first offense DWI, DUI or possession of marijuana under two ounces, if it has been five years or more since the date of disposition, then the decision whether to allow service shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of Circle T. Other than a first offense, that person shall not be allowed to serve in any capacity.
For theft, fraud and forgery offenses greater than $200.00, that person will be restricted from the management of Girl Scout money.
For any other criminal offense, regardless of whether it is classified as a felony or as a misdemeanor, excepting only traffic violations classified as Class C misdemeanors, that person shall have his or her case reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The decision whether to allow service shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of Circle T.

4. If charges are pending related to any criminal offense other than traffic violations classified as Class C misdemeanors, involvement with the Council as a volunteer, will be temporarily suspended pending disposition of the case.

5. Contest of Criminal History Transcript. Any applicant or volunteer who disputes and desires to contest any information that appears on the criminal history record transcript must file with Circle T written notice challenging the accuracy of the transcript. Following the submission of such notice, the individual must take all steps necessary to challenge the report received from the Texas Department of Public Safety (the “Department”). This may include the submission of fingerprints and an appropriate fee to the Department. If it is determined that the record previously obtained was correct and the applicant, volunteer, or employee believes that a mistake exists in the criminal record, he or she may appeal the matter to the Error Resolution Department of the Department.

Upon resolution of the matter with the Department, the individual may submit a certified copy of the corrected criminal history record transcript to Circle T. All costs associated with an appeal of the criminal history report provided to Circle T shall be borne by the applicant or volunteer. Further, it is the responsibility of the individual contesting the report, not Circle T, to take all action necessary to contest or correct the criminal history report. Notwithstanding an individual’s contest of information contained in the criminal history report, Circle T is entitled to and shall rely upon the information contained in the criminal history report until such time as a corrected criminal history transcript has been provided. Circle T does not control the information that is contained in criminal history reports, and Circle T shall have no liability to any person for the information contained in such reports or for its actions taken in reliance upon such reports.

6. Continued Service. Each volunteer and applicant as a condition of continued service, consents to a periodic review of his or her criminal background. Upon request of Circle T, each volunteer and applicant shall give written authorization for a criminal background check to be performed pursuant to the Criminal History Information Act, Tex. Gov’t Code § 411.081. et seq., as currently in effect and as it may be amended from time to time.

Appointment
Policy: Operational volunteers shall be appointed for a term not to exceed one year. Appointment shall be made by authorized council personnel.

Training
Policy: At least two members of the Leadership Team of the troop/group are required to have an orientation given by authorized Council personnel before meeting with the troop/group for the first time.

Policy: At least one member of the troop/group Leadership Team is required to take age level training. A troop leader who changes age levels should take, or have taken, training that is appropriate for the troop/group she leads.
Such training should be completed within three (3) months of completion of orientation, but must be completed within six (6) months.
Policy: Training and/or an annual update workshop is required for the following volunteer positions: Council Trainers, Day Camp Directors, Orientation Specialists, Troop Services Managers, Troop Services Team Members.
Standard: An orientation to Girl Scout program, given by authorized council personnel, should be given to Troop Support Group members.

Recognition
Policy: Outstanding service to Girl Scouting will be recognized by the Council as approved by the Board of Directors.

Recognition will be provided by the Council to adults with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc. years of membership.

Re-appointment
Policy: After completion of a satisfactory performance review and mutual acceptance of position accountabilities, expectations, and a time commitment, each operational volunteer shall receive confirmation of re-appointment to his or her position.

Conflict Resolution
Policy: The council will maintain conflict resolution procedures for all volunteers.

Resignation
Policy: Any volunteer may resign from her or his position upon written notification to the appropriate individual.

Release
Policy: The council may release a volunteer for any reason from her or his position including but not limited to restructuring of volunteer positions, the elimination of the volunteer position in which a person serves, the inability or failure to complete the requirements of the position, the refusal to comply with council or Girl Scouts of the USA policies, the refusal to support the mission and values of the organization and the council goals, or membership in an organization whose goals are not compatible with those of Girl Scouts of the USA.

Adults engaging in the following behaviors will be released from acting in an official Girl Scout capacity:
Possession, sale or use of illegal drugs.
Drinking or being under the influence of alcohol during Girl Scout activities where girls are present.
Misuse of any prescribed or over-the-counter drugs at any Girl Scout activity.
Child abuse and/or neglect.
Carrying firearms (guns and ammunition) during Girl Scout activities.

Standard: It is preferred that adults do not smoke in the presence of girls.

Child Abuse
Policy: Any act of child abuse and/or neglect that includes physical, sexual or mental abuse or neglect by any volunteer, male or female, against any girl member shall not be tolerated.

The Council supports and maintains environments which are free of child abuse and neglect as defined by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

Harassment
Policy: The Council is committed to an environment and climate in which relationships are characterized by dignity, respect, courtesy, and equitable treatment. It is the policy of the organization to provide all volunteers with an environment free from all forms of unlawful or unwelcomed harassment, including implied or expressed forms of sexual harassment.

The Council expressly prohibits any form of harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Sexual Harassment
Policy: Any act of sexual harassment by any volunteer, male or female, against another volunteer, employee, or girl member of the same or opposite sex shall not be tolerated.