Knights of Columbus

As a community of faith we are committed to safeguard our children and youth, the most important gifts God has entrusted to us. The following rules and regulations reflect that commitment and are a condition of volunteer ministry.

As a volunteer, I will:

• Safeguard children and youth entrusted to my care at all times.
• Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
• Avoid situations where I am alone with a child or youth at church/school activities.
• Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children or youth.
• Refuse to accept expensive gifts from children or youth or their parents without prior written approval from the pastor or administrator.
• Refrain from giving inappropriate, personal gifts to children or youth.
• Report suspected abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (800.252.5400) or local police department. I understand that failure to report suspected child abuse is a violation of Texas law.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse or neglect of children and/or youth.
• Obey all traffic laws when driving children and youth.

As a volunteer, I will not:

• Espouse any view contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church during my volunteer ministry.
• Smoke or use tobacco products on parish property and/or in the presence of children or youth.
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at any time while volunteering.
• Spank, shake, or slap children, youth or any person.
• Humiliate, ridicule, threaten or degrade children, youth or any person.
• Strike or touch a child, youth or any person in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
• Engage in any conduct that frightens or humiliates children, youth or any person.
• Commit an illegal or immoral act in the presence of children and/or youth.
• Use profanity in the presence of children and/or youth.
• Sexually harass any person, e.g., requests for sexual favors, sexually explicit statements, etc.
• Drive a vehicle not in compliance with regulations and/or inspections while Driving Children.

As a volunteer, I promise to strictly follow the rules and guidelines in this Code of Conduct. I understand that as a volunteer working with children and/or youth, I am subject to a thorough background check including criminal history.

I agree to notify the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Coordinator within 30 days if I have been charged with, convicted of, granted deferred adjudication or plead nolo contendere to any felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in my removal as a volunteer.