Purpose
The South Central Regional Training Institute (SC-RTI) conducts courses and educational programs for diverse age groups, from the age of 5 or 6 to adulthood, in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas (“South Central Region”).
Our Mission
These programs provide spiritual and material education based on Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, which center on concepts of unity, equity, compassion, and justice.
Requirements for All Activities Involving Minors
All Bahá’í activities involving children, junior youth and youth must be:
- Institutionally sponsored
- Appropriately supervised
- Held in a safe environment
Important: All registered volunteers working with minors at SC-RTI activities are required to complete this training and pass a background check every two years.
Institutional Sponsorship
Ongoing educational programs for minors in the South Central Region fall under the auspices of the South Central Regional Training Institute Board, unless it is more reasonable for a Local Spiritual Assembly to sponsor the activity.
Sponsorship Requirements
Sponsorship implies that the institution or agency:
- Is aware of the activity and is tracking it in its official documentation, within the Statistical Report Program (SRP)
- Has confirmed that it is appropriately supervised
- Has ensured that those conducting the activity have a means of requesting assistance and guidance from it, as needed
- Has ensured that it is being held in a safe environment
Documentation Requirements
The sponsoring institution will document, using the features of SRP:
- The name of the activity
- Where it is being held
- The frequency of the meeting and/or dates of the activity
- The individuals who are primarily responsible for leading the activity
Appropriate Supervision
Working with children and youth on behalf of the Bahá’í community is a privilege.
Standards for Volunteers
Adults and youth who are responsible for activities for minors are required to abide by the high moral standards of the Bahá’í Faith. While involved in activities, volunteers should observe the following:
- Dress moderately — refrain from wearing revealing or tight clothing or any clothing with derogatory messages
- Be clearheaded — no smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol or taking drugs other than those prescribed by a physician, during any activity
- Use appropriate language — no cursing or abusive language should be used by anyone serving or taking part in a Bahá’í activity
Regional Clearance Process
Before any adult or youth over the age of fifteen is allowed to serve with minors, they must be cleared through the Regional Clearance Process. This step is never to be postponed or omitted for the sake of expediency, even when the individuals are well known to the sponsoring institution.
Transportation & Renewal
Transportation Requirements
All those transporting minors on behalf of a sponsored activity must:
- Complete a background check
- Complete a Motor Vehicle Records check and be approved to drive
- Be 18 years of age or older (or 19 where required for age of majority)
- Have a current driver’s license issued by a state within the United States
- Have auto insurance
Two-Person Rule: There must be two cleared individuals in the vehicle when transporting minors on behalf of an activity. The driver must be at least 18 years of age.
Renewal Requirements
Those who continue to work with minors must be re-verified for service with minors every two years from their previous eligibility date.
Questions?
Contact the SC-RTI’s Clearance Officer: clearance@southcentralrti.org
Or the national Volunteer Services Coordinator: volunteerservices@usbnc.org
Adult-to-Minor Ratios
Minimum Supervision Requirements
Bahá’í activities for minors shall be facilitated at all times by teams of at least two cleared adults or youth over the age of 15.
Rule of Three
On the rare occasion when it is not possible for two cleared individuals to accompany the minors, then the rule of three should be applied:
- At least three individuals will be present
- With at least one being a cleared adult
Critical Rule: The adult-to-minor ratio shall never be one-to-one behind closed doors or out of the line of sight of another adult.
Permission Slips
Written permission from parent/guardian is required for:
- Regular, ongoing Bahá’í activities
- Transportation from one location to another
- Physical activities that could pose serious risks of injury (swimming, horseback riding, hiking, etc.)
Communication & Media Guidelines
Communication Rules
No text, email or phone call will be solely between a non-related adult and a minor without a parent’s/guardian’s permission.
Best Practices
- Group texts and/or emails are encouraged for conveying information about activity plans
- Phone calls should be made to the responsible adult of the minor and the minor, not solely with the minor
Media and Photography
Photographs, videos, or any form of reproducing images of minors taken during Bahá’í events should not be posted in social media or any publication without the express consent of the parent/guardian.
Accompaniment
Each individual serving should be closely accompanied by the sponsoring institution to ensure they have the necessary support and guidance for providing an activity that upholds the standards of the Faith.
Overnight Arrangements and Camps
Supervision Requirements
Overnight arrangements for minors must be supervised by teams of at least two cleared adults of the same gender. This requirement also applies when using private homes for sleeping quarters.
Emergency Protocol: In case of an emergency, should one of the adults need to leave the premises, an alternate adult must immediately take his or her place.
Sleeping Arrangements
- Sleeping quarters for males and females shall be separate and not accessible by the other gender
- Junior youth and youth should not be housed in the same building or same floor
- Consideration shall be given to sexual orientation and transgender concerns as needed
Emergency Preparedness
- Emergency first aid kits and fire extinguishers must be inspected within 24-48 hours of the first day of camp
- Emergency kits shall be equipped with all standard items, including at least one EpiPen
- Camp organizers must have a plan to notify parents in case a participant must be sent home early
Ensuring a Safe Environment
Homes and Buildings
Prior to the start of any activity for minors, the supervising adults or youth must inspect locations where the activity is to be held, as well as any equipment to be used, and then strive to mitigate any potential or obvious hazards.
Vehicle Safety
Vehicles used for transporting minors should be:
- In good repair and regularly maintained
- Equipped with properly installed and functioning seat belts for each passenger
- Operated by drivers who observe all traffic laws and maintain appropriate speed
- Operated without the use of hand-held devices while in motion
Bahá’í Centers and Institute Houses
- All responsible institutions need guidelines concerning proper use of property
- Must be thoroughly acquainted with safety requirements of insurance carrier and local safety ordinances
- When activities for minors are being held, someone over the age of 21 must be on the premises
Responding to Incidents
In cases of accidental harm to anyone taking part in a Bahá’í activity or during any other emergency situation, those responsible for the activity shall promptly seek appropriate assistance as necessary, while ensuring that no minor under the age of 15 is left unsupervised.
When Incidents Occur During Activities
- The alleged perpetrator(s) will be requested to remain at a location away from other participants
- If the alleged perpetrator is a minor, at least one parent/guardian will be asked to stay with them
- Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible if the incident involves a person under 18
- A written record will be made of the notification
Reporting Requirements
Those managing an activity must immediately contact either the Regional Bahá’í Council secretary or the secretary of the Local Spiritual Assembly if the matter is deemed serious enough to contact law enforcement or child protection agencies.
Emergency Contact
Office of Community Administration at the Bahá’í National Center
Email: community@usbnc.org
Phone: 847.733.3485
Mandatory Reporting
When in doubt, assume that volunteers serving with minors are mandatory reporters, meaning that you should report suspected neglect or abuse of a child.
State Resources
Review applicable state statutes and report procedures for:
Investigating Reported Incidents
If a minor reports a previous incident:
- Do not attempt to interrogate the child beyond listening to their initial report
- Inquire who the child has already informed
- Assure the child they did the right thing
- Report the allegations to proper authorities before taking any other actions
Confidentiality
Maintaining confidentiality is an important element of all phases of inquiry. Information is shared only with those who need to know the facts to avoid the spread of gossip.
Definitions
The definitions listed below are intended to assist Bahá’í communities to have a more comprehensive understanding of inappropriate behaviors towards and abuse of children.
Any form of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Non-accidental physical injury or other acts that have the potential to cause physical harm. It also includes inappropriate restraint or imprisonment, and endangerment such as knowingly leaving a minor alone in an unsafe place.
Any form of sexual behavior with a minor, including but not limited to: sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual relations, sexual acts, sexual activity, sexual handling, fondling, intimacy, exposure of sexual organs, or unauthorized touching.
Causing psychological or emotional harm to a minor or coercing the behavior of a minor. This can be conveyed through speech, internet, telephones, social media, and includes hazing and bullying.
A failure to provide the basic health, educational, and safety needs of a minor required for their proper development.