The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees has adopted this statement effective February 19, 2020 which is essential for you to communicate to all of your clubs as it is a pretty major for any club with an SLP.
No Kiwanis club or district is permitted to deviate from Policy 16(d)(1), which states:
“Kiwanis International requires clubs to have a clear criminal history background check for any club member serving as an advisor to any Service Leadership Program club.”
Therefore, any Kiwanis advisor to any Service Leadership Program who does not have a clear criminal history background check on file with Kiwanis International is not permitted to have any contact with youth at a Service Leadership Program meeting or event.
As of April 1, 2020, any Kiwanis International SLP advisor who does not have an approved criminal history background check on file will be ineligible to serve in the advisor role, and notice will be sent to the club secretary and district leadership. The Kiwanis International and Service Leadership Programs staff will make every effort to work with SLP advisors in completing this critical requirement.
Members who have submitted a background check by April 1 and are awaiting results will not be removed from the advisor role while waiting for results. Their removal would take place if the background check prohibits them from serving in that role.
Additionally, on February 19, 2020, the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees approved the following policy regarding Service Leadership Program events and adults working with youth.
That the Kiwanis International Board approves the amendments to Kiwanis International’s policies and procedures, as shown below, effective May 1, 2020.
- All Levels of Kiwanis: Kiwanis International and any subsidiary, affiliate, district, division, zone, region, or club therein organizing a Service Leadership Program event where adults will have direct interaction with youth under age 18 must follow these guidelines. Criminal history background checks for persons listed below, when required, must be conducted and verified by Kiwanis International in accordance with Kiwanis International procedures. A clear check must be verified prior to arrival at the event. Persons who do not meet this criterion may not attend the event.
- Single-Day Events Without an Overnight Stay: All Kiwanis advisors (club members and non-members) registered for or participating in any Service Leadership Program event must have a clear criminal history background check and must have completed Kiwanis International annual youth protection training. All other adults participating in single-day events must follow all Kiwanis International youth protection policies and procedures, a copy of which will be provided before the start of the event.
- Overnight Events: All adults (club members and non-members) registered for or staying overnight at any Service Leadership Program event must have a clear criminal history background check and must have completed Kiwanis International annual youth protection training. However, parents/guardians of participating students who are not chaperones may attend the event for a maximum of one overnight stay without a criminal history background check.
- Chaperones: A minimum of one adult per 10 students must be serving as chaperones during the entirety of the event. All chaperones (club members and non-members) participating in any single-day or overnight Service Leadership Program event must have a clear criminal history background check and must have completed Kiwanis International annual youth protection training. Additionally, chaperones must follow all applicable policies and procedures. (See also Procedure 432.)
- Aktion club members: Aktion Club members are exempt from criminal history background checks. However, their chaperones/caregivers are not exempt.
In addition to these new policies, Kiwanis has new resources for SLP advisors from Praesidium, Inc., via their Armatus training database. There will also be new in-person training at Kiwanis-family conventions in June and July.
Finally, Kiwanis has introduced a 24-hour, confidential helpline at 1-888-607-SAFE. The helpline can be used if you think a youth has been harmed or their safety and well-being are at risk.
Please if you have any questions please feel free to email me at
Jennifer Schmitt
.
Jennifer Schmitt
District Youth Protection Manager
