9705 Youth Protection
Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses and partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people they come into contact with and protect them from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Adopted by the RI Board of Directors, November 2006
For comprehensive details of requirements for Youth Protection see the Youth Protection Policy
Club Compliance
The District Governor is responsible for supervision and control of all youth activities in the district, including those associated with Rotary Youth Exchange. District 9705 will monitor all participating clubs and ensure that they comply with youth protection and Rotary Youth Exchange certification requirements. Clubs will have a Youth Protection Officer whose duties involve managing the club’s Youth protection compliance procedures including insuring the completion of all required protection documentation.
Volunteer Selection and Screening
All Rotarian and non-Rotarian volunteers interested in working with youth program participants must meet RI and District eligibility requirements. RI prohibits the membership and participation of any volunteer who has admitted to, been convicted of, or otherwise been found to have engaged in sexual abuse or harassment.
If a person is accused of sexual abuse or harassment and the law enforcement investigation is inconclusive, or if law enforcement declines to investigate, additional safeguards are necessary to protect any youth program participants with whom the accused may have future contact, as well as the accused. A person later cleared of an accusation or charges may apply to be reinstated as a youth program volunteer. Reinstatement is not a right, and reinstatement to his or her former position is not guaranteed.
All volunteers interested in participating in District 9705 Youth Programs must meet the following requirements:
- Hold Working With Children check (NSW) or a Working with Vulnerable Persons Card (ACT)
- Complete a Volunteer Information and Declaration Form (known as Form 3)
- Provide a list of personal references with contact information (As per Form 3)
- Comply with RI and district guidelines for the Youth Exchange program
Role of District Youth Protection Officer
- Monitor changes in national and local laws related to youth protection, as well as any changes in RI policies, and relate them to the governor and district program chairs
- Work with the district and clubs to inform all Rotarians of their youth protection obligations
- Confirm that appropriate screening measures are conducted for all youth programs, in compliance with Rotary policies and local laws
- Direct the selection of Rotarian and non-Rotarian volunteers and ensure that volunteer screening is documented appropriately
- Ensure that appropriate training is provided to Rotarians, other volunteers, and youth program participants and their parents
- Oversee proper handling of allegations and protect the interests of all who are involved
- Maintain records of all allegations of abuse, harassment, or other crises