Iowa United Methodist Conference: Let’s Get Started With Safe Gatherings!
The Iowa United Methodist Conference is committed to providing safe places of worship and fellowship to everyone they serve. As part of that commitment, they are offering Safe Gatherings as a resource for you in this important area.
What is Safe Gatherings?
Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth and vulnerable adults.
Upon successful completion of the Safe Gatherings application, background and reference checks, and online training program, each applicant will receive documentation of approval valid for three years, and will have continued access to the online training program for one year.
How much does it cost?
The price per applicant through the Conference is $39 and includes:
- Processing of two electronic references
- National criminal background check
- 7-year county of residence background check
- National and state of residence Sex Offender Registry check
- Applicant tracking for church administrators
- 2-hour online abuse prevention and boundary awareness training
- Optional driving record for additional charge
Training Update and Policy Builder!
Safe Gatherings has updated its training to address the challenges of online ministry in regard to abuse prevention. Additional information includes guidelines for conducting online meetings, technology challenges and solutions, boundary awareness in terms of virtual ministry and more.
Safe Gatherings has also launched Policy Builder, which can help your church create, store and manage policies—all online. Learn more here.
How do I set up my church?
To set up your church, call us at 888.241.8258. It is quick and easy!
How does an applicant start the process?
After the administrator has set up the account, applicants can start the process by clicking the red NEW USER button on the Safe Gatherings website.
To speed up the process, individuals should be prepared before they begin. In this process, the individual will be filling in personal information, including previous work involving children, youth and vulnerable adults. They will also be submitting two references that are not related to them. Safe Gatherings will need contact information for those references (email and phone number).
I have more questions about the Conference and its protection policies.
No problem! Visit the Iowa United Methodist Conference website.
Have additional questions? Call Safe Gatherings at 888.241.8258 or contact us for additional information or with questions about the program. We look forward to working with you!