BLIND RIVER CURLING CLUB
Policy Name: SCREENING POLICY
Policy Number: BRCC - 03
Version: November 6, 2018
Approval Date: November 6, 2018
PREAMBLE
The Blind River Curling Club (BRCC) understands that screening personnel and volunteers is a vital part of providing a safe sporting environment for athletes. Like a growing number of sport organizations, the BRCC requires its personnel who interact with athletes or placed in a position of trust or authority to obtain a Criminal Record Check (CRC).
DEFINITIONS
The following terms have these meanings in this Policy:
“CRC Criminal Record Check (CRC)”: A search of adult convictions held within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Repository of Criminal Records.
“Personnel”: BRCC personnel include members and volunteers whose position with the BRCC is one of trust or authority. BRCC personnel are required to obtain a CRC Criminal Record Check (CRC). Personnel include, but are not limited to, coaches, Board Members of the BRCC, and BRCC employees.
“Screening Committee”: A committee of three (3) to five (5) members appointed by, and at the sole discretion of, the BRCC to administer this policy.
PURPOSE
This Screening Policy will outline who is required to be screened, the procedures of being screened, and steps to be taken in the event of a positive CRC.
POLICY
1. This Policy applies to all personnel.
2. Not all personnel associated with BRCC will be required to undergo screening through a CRC, as not all positions pose a risk of harm to BRCC or to its participants. BRCC will determine which designated categories of personnel will be subject to screening.
3. CRCs are required for the following “Designated Categories” who work closely with athletes and who occupy positions of trust and authority within BRCC:
a) Coaches for BRCC Youth Programs and NOCA Provincial events
b) Board Members of BRCC
c) Employees
It is the Ontario Curling Association’s policy that:
4. Personnel in Designated Categories will be screened using CRC. There will be no exceptions.
5. CRC’s must be obtained upon hiring and every three years thereafter.
6. Failure to participate in the screening process as outlined in this policy will result in ineligibility of the individual.
7. The BRCC will not knowingly place in a Designated Category an individual who has a conviction for a ‘relevant offence’, as defined in this policy.
8. However, when the Screening Committee says that; notwithstanding a conviction for a relevant offence, a person can occupy a position in a Designated Category without adversely affecting the safety of the BRCC, an athlete or member of BRCC through the imposition of such terms and conditions as are deemed appropriate, the Screening Committee may approve a persons’ participation in a Designated Category.
9. If a person in a Designated Category subsequently receives a conviction for, or is found guilty of, a relevant office, they will report this circumstance immediately to the BRCC.
10. If a person in a designated position provides falsified or misleading information, that person will immediately be removed from their Designated Position and may be subject to further discipline by referencing the NOCA’s Discipline Policy.
11. The BRCC will accept CRC obtained by personnel for use by other agencies and/or employers provided the CRC was issued less than three years ago, and with the understanding that a new CRC will be required at the three-year expiry date.
Screening Committee
12. The implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the Screening Committee of the BRCC which is a committee of three (3) to five (5) members appointed by, and at the sole discretion of the BRCC. BRCC will ensure that the members appointed to the Screening Committee possess the requisite skills, knowledge and abilities to accurately assess CRC and render decisions under this Policy. Quorum for the Screening Committee will be three members.
13. BRCC may, in its sole discretion, remove any member of the Screening Committee. Where a position on the Screening Committee becomes vacant, either because a member has been removed or because a member has resigned, BRCC, at its sole discretion, will appoint a replacement member.
14. The Screening Committee will carry out its duties, in accordance with the terms of this policy, independent of BRCC.
15. The Screening Committee is responsible for receiving and
reviewing all CRC with a “relevant offence”
and, based on such reviews, making decisions regarding the appropriateness of
individuals filling positions in Designated Categories within the BRCC. In
carrying out its duties, the Screening Committee may consult with independent
experts including lawyers, police, risk management consultants, volunteer
screening specialists or any other person.
How to Obtain a CRC Criminal Record Check (CRC)
16. CRCs must be obtained every three years and proof of the CRC must be submitted to BRCC by October 1st of each year (for coaches) and prior to interacting with young athletes (for other Personnel).
17. Personnel may obtain a CRC by visiting a local police station, submitting two pieces of government-issued identification (one of which must have a photo), and completing the CRC application. The BRCC will provide a letter of introduction.
18. The CRC fee for volunteers is varies depending on local police service fees. Any such fees are the responsibility of the “personnel” obtaining the check. Currently, BRCC volunteers do not have to pay for the CRC fee.
19. Personnel must submit the proof of the CRC to BRCC Steering Committee Chair.
20. Alternatively; CRCs may be also be obtained using online screening companies such as Sterling Backcheck.
Procedure
21. The CRC will be submitted to the BRCC Secretary at its head office in an envelope marked “Confidential” or via email.
22. Individuals who do not submit a CRC will receive a notice to this effect and will be informed that their application and/or position will not proceed until the CRC is received.
23. The Screening Committee will receive and review all CRC in which a “relevant offence” has been revealed.
24. After review of the CRC, the Screening Committee, by majority vote, will:
a) Approve an individual’s participation in a Designated Category; or
b) Deny an individual’s participation in a Designated Category; or
c) Approve an individual’s participation in a Designated Category subject to terms and conditions as the Screening Committee deems appropriate.
25. If an individual’s CRC do not reveal a relevant offence, the Committee Chair will advise the Board secretary that the individual is eligible for the Designated Category.
26. If an individual’s CRC reveal a relevant offence, the Screening Committee will render its decision and provide notice of its decision in to BRCC Secretary and the applicant.
27. The decisions of the Screening Committee are final and binding and will be effective upon notice being sent to the individual by email to his or her last known email address on record with the BRCC.
28. CRC are valid for a period of three years. However, the Screening Committee may request that an individual in a designated category provide a CRC to the Screening Committee for review and consideration at any time. Such request will be in writing and will provide the reasons for such a request.
Relevant Offences
For the purposes of this Policy, guidelines and examples of a ‘relevant offence’ is any of the following:
- If imposed in the last five years:
a) Any offence involving the use of a motor vehicle, including but not limited to impaired driving
b) Any violation for trafficking and/or possession of drugs and/or narcotics
c) Any offence involving conduct against public morals
- If imposed in the last ten years:
a) Any crime of violence including but not limited to, all forms of assault
b) Any offence involving a minor or minors
- If imposed at any time:
a) Any offence involving the possession, distribution, or sale of any child-related pornography
b) Any sexual offence involving a minor or minors
c) Any offence involving theft or fraud
Records
32. The BRCC secretary will retain copies of CRC for the period of its validity. The BRCC may also retain written records of communication with individuals whose CRC indicates a relevant offence, as well as copies of its decisions and written reasons for decisions. All records will be maintained in a confidential manner and will not be disclosed to others except as required by law, or for use in legal, quasi-legal, or disciplinary proceedings.
Review: This policy will be reviewed by the BRCC Board of Directors on an annual basis
