I remember the phone call vividly, “Melodie, your mother and my mother are good friends, I would love to meet you.  Could I take you out for hot chocolate after school next week?” Deb Kuyers entered my world - I was barely out of elementary school, and this beautiful, vivacious high-school junior wanted to spend time with me! That phone call changed the course of my life.

Forty years later, I still remember the investment Deb made in my young life. I salute my mother for encouraging Deb to call me. Though my godly, stay-at-home mother was an amazing woman, she recognized that other individuals could play an important role in building upon the foundation she and my father had laid.

When planning a program for children and young people you may be required by law to demonstrate compliance with a set of provincial or state requirements. For school-age programs, these will include issues such as food-handling, child sign-in, and sign-out procedures, building cleanliness, child-to-staff ratios, space requirements, and requirements for the types of activities offered.

Research in all areas of education has shown that low staff to child ratios are critical for learning to take place. Also, one of the ways an organization can demonstrate that they are fulfilling their duty of care to their staff and volunteers is to manage appropriately child-to-staff ratios.

A question was asked, “Have we seen the end of the additional requirements that will be placed on us, to qualify for abuse coverage?”

With all the news stories of abuse, it truly astounds me that organizations are still struggling with the value, importance and purpose of abuse prevention and protection. I am left wondering, has there been a communication breakdown? Have we miscommunicated the purpose, importance and value of Plan to Protect®? Why after 20 years, are organizations servicing the vulnerable sector (the people group most susceptible to abuse), still resisting the need to be on high alert to individuals who could harm those they love.

One area where we believe there is increased vulnerability is when organizations partner with other community groups to run a program. We often hear about two or three organizations teaming up to hold a day camp, youth events, or large community outreach.  Partnering together speaks volumes to your community that you are working together with a common purpose.  A benefit of these partnerships is to combine your resources to provide a stronger program.  

However, it is in these scenarios that there are questions as to who is ultimately responsible. 

Knowing that the task is too big for one person, and the skills needed to be successful are quite varied, we recommend that a committee be formed to bring oversight to Plan to Protect®.

Some of the skills and gifts needed are:

1. Leadership, including the ability to make difficult and painful decisions when it is not popular.  Also, someone who may be privy to confidential information when approving individuals who will be placed in a position of trust;
2. Administration (there is a lot of paperwork and organization required);
3. Ability to teach adults and youth in an engaging and inspiring manner;
4. Conscientious, to keep to the task and not let the ball drop;
5. Discernment, as you will need to listen to that still small voice (and sometimes your gut) to say no to some people who wish to have access to the vulnerable individuals whom you serve.

The old saying “two heads are better than one.” references the concept that two people are more likely to solve a problem or think of an idea than one person working alone. This same thought applies to the work of abuse prevention.  Not only does the phrase apply to solving problems and thinking of new ideas, but it also captures the concept of accountability, which is critical to achieving a high standard of protection. 

Literature on volunteer management strongly recommends annual performance evaluations for volunteers. Plan to Protect® recommends that volunteers be provided an opportunity on an annual basis to give feedback and receive review of their unique contribution to the organization. A review is one component of a strong screening process. Our recommendation is that the Supervisor do Volunteer Reviews annually, over a cup of coffee, tea or better still demonstrate your appreciation with a meal. Celebrate!