Ethics and Conduct Form

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 hcild 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 neglet 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.

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.
 

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 VIRTUS Coordinator within 30 days if I have been charged with, convicted of, granted deferred adjudication or pead 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. Furthermore I attest that I am a practicing Catholic with no impediment to full communion.