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These guidelines apply to all diocesan, parish and Catholic school activity in the Diocese of Bismarck.
All persons, diocesan and parish employees and volunteers who are in regular and direct contact with minors are required to sign the Signature Page attached to the guidelines which is available in the parish and diocesan offices.
A. General guidelines for behavior of all adults with minors
1. Minors may never be offered alcoholic beverage, tobacco, drugs or anything else that is prohibited by law.
2. Avoid inappropriate conversation, vocabulary, recordings, films, or games with minors. Sexually explicit or pornographic material is never appropriate.
3. Do not take photographs of minors while they are unclothed or dressing.
4. Minors who are not immediate family members of a priest may not reside in the church rectory or other living quarters of the priest.
5. Only priests, seminarians, their immediate family members, adult friends, or adults & staff of church or affiliated organizations may be overnight guests in rectories or cleric residences.
6. Adults should not be alone with a minor in a residence, sleeping facility, locker room, rest room, dressing facility, or other closed room or isolated area that is inappropriate to a ministry relationship.
7. If a person must go into a sleeping room with minors, a second adult must be present with them.
8. If a supervisor stays in a hotel or other sleeping room with minors, the supervisor should sleep in his or her own bed using a rollaway or cot if necessary.
9. Adults should not take an overnight trip alone with a minor who is not a member of their immediate family.
10. Touching another person should be age appropriate. Physical contact when alone with a minor should be avoided. If a minor initiates physical contact, an appropriate, limited response is proper. In all cases it must be respectful.
11. Hugging can be an expression of love and respect. However, hugging should always be done in the presence of others and never while alone in a room behind closed doors.
12. It is inappropriate to sit on one another's lap or to lay one's head on another's lap.
13. If you observe inappropriate personal or physical attraction between an adult and a minor or become aware of anyone (adult or minor) abusing a minor, take appropriate steps to immediately intervene and to provide a safe environment for the minor. Report the misconduct as soon as possible (see Reporting Procedure).
14. If you become aware of an inappropriate personal or physical attraction between yourself and a minor, maintain clear professional boundaries between yourself and the minor and consult with a supervisor.
15. If one-on-one pastoral care of a minor should be necessary, avoid meeting in isolated environments. Schedule meetings at times and use locations that create accountability. Limit both the length and number of sessions, and make appropriate referrals.
16. Discipline problems should be handled in coordination with supervisor and/or the parents of the minor. Be aware of the difference between "physical restraint" and "physical abuse."
17. Church or school vehicles may not be driven without appropriate license and/or certification and unless prior authorization has been received.
18. Normally minors should not have keys to church facilities. If they need keys because of employment they should be carefully screened.
B. Guidelines for chaperones and supervisors of minors at group activities
1. Chaperones/supervisors are responsible for reviewing the Diocese of Bismarck Code of Pastoral Conduct and all related guidelines with the minors assigned to them.
2. Two or more adults must be present for events involving minors in high- risk settings. The recommended ratio for chaperones /supervisors to minors is 1:6. In the event a sufficient number of chaperones / supervisors are not available, the event must be cancelled.
3. Facilities must be monitored during all organization activities.
4. Children may be released only to a parent, guardian, or other person who has been authorized in writing to take custody of the minor(s).
5. Parental approval must be obtained before permitting children to participate in athletic events or any other activity that involves potential risk.
6. Dress must always be in keeping with modesty and Christian values.
7. An accountability system, similar to a "buddy system," must be used whenever minors go on trips away from the original location of the activity.
8. Only qualified adult drivers may transport minors. Appropriate permission must be received and all proper insurance forms must be completed and approved by the authority of the organization. Forms and procedures are obtained from Catholic Mutual Group, the insurance provider for the Diocese of Bismarck.
9. Parental permission must be obtained, including a signed medical treatment form, before taking minors on trips. Do not administer medication of any kind without authorized written parental permission.
10. Adult participants are expected to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages for the duration of the event, as well as during their travels to and from the event.
11. The possession or use of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
12. Weapons of all kinds are strictly prohibited.
13. No two minors should be alone in any area by themselves. One-on-one sharing or conversation must always be done within view of the large group.
14. If anyone is uncomfortable with actions or intentions of another during the trip, it should be reported to the chaperone or supervisor immediately.
15. Both adults and youth are expected to attend all activities with the entire group.
16. During all activities, especially a dance or other social event, chaperones should be available in the building where the activity takes place.
17. Groups of young people will be assigned a specific adult chaperone who will be responsible for their behavior throughout the event.
18. Chaperones or supervisors must make arrangements each day to check in with those entrusted to their care. This must be done in the morning, during the afternoon, and evening.
19. On any trip, information will be distributed to chaperones or supervisors for review with all participants to help familiarize them with the program schedule and layout of the facilities where event activities will take place. It is also a good time to be sure that the young people understand important safety information.
20. A specific location must be designated where minors will be able to locate their chaperone or supervisor or where the group will meet at an agreed upon time..
21. During overnight activities, chaperones or supervisors are responsible for establishing a curfew and for enforcing it.
22. Chaperones or supervisors must check rooms after curfew to make sure that young people are in their rooms and remain there.
23. Adults must not go anywhere during the event where the youth may not go with them. (e.g. cocktail lounges, bars, etc.)
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The official site of the Diocese of Bismarck, North Dakota
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