Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

What is there to be concerned about regarding those who've opposed this policy? We are not a greater risk to the participants of FIRST because we opposed this policy. We do not have anything to hide. We do not care less about the students' safety than you do.

I do not participate in church youth groups, so perhaps that's why I can't understand why you've capitalized its importance. It makes you no more or less likely to endanger the safety of a child.

The policy was poorly designed and implemented, obfuscated by muddled language and poor procedures. It offered no assurances for the security of my personal information, aside from the implicit trust in "team leaders." I do not trust team leaders and have sufficient reason not to. I do not trust the company that FIRST chose to undertake these background checks, Choicepoint and its subsidiaries, because I have seen ample evidence that suggests their business practices are unscrupulous and questionable. Without seeing documented, explicit reasons as to why someone might be red-flagged or labeled as a "potential felon," despite having no criminal history, I will not trust their determination about people -- whether I've known them for years or just met them for the first time.

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

I just receievd the withdrawl e-mail... It sounded like a good policy... But it needed more work to make it better.

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

Jeez M...
I don't think that's what he said at all...

Are you genuinely offended, or just picking a fight?

We all have our opinions on what is best for "the children" and for this program. Chris offerred his. Thank you Chris.

It just goes to show that this policy was not UNIVERSALLY hated as some make it out to be. FIRST was trying to do something positive here, many of us disagree with their attempt, but we should recognize that... the people behind this policy were (likely, I don't actually KNOW ;))acting with the best of intentions.

John

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

Chris, I think that you might be missing the point behind the protest.

I agree that all teams should screen their mentors. Schools should do it. Companies should do it. Protecting children should be top priority.

However...

Most people's objections to this are with HOW the program was being implemented, not the idea behind it.

In my opinion...

FIRST should not be the ones screening our teams' mentors. This is our job as team leaders. FIRST should stick to creating a great game and kit for us to play with. They should stick to hosting exciting events. Why should there be an added level of bureacracy at FIRST to perform searches and pass judgement on people they don't even know? Do they think that we are not capable of doing this ourselves?

Hypothetically, if there is a mentor on my team with some questionable offenses, it is up to the administrators of my team to determine if that person should be a mentor or not... not FIRST.

I applaud FIRST for being concerned about this issue. They should continue with the program and PROMOTE screening and assist teams by directing them how to screen their mentors. They can cite examples and provide guidelines.. but not require that teams do it by their canned method.

Andy B.

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

I share all the concerns that many of you have voiced here about this screening process, however my concerns go beyond what has been stated. Unfortunately most folks think that a rule or law that doesn't directly adversely affect them is not a problem.

Maybe we should require all the individuals who are red flagged in these computer data bases to wear and display a "Scarlet Letter" for the rest of their lives, as that would be much less expensive............


Mr. Bill

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

As my post says, I am all for screening. Maybe not FIRST's way - I think there were some real issues with the policy - but some type of adult screening. Our host school requires it, so the team was already covered. My read on the FIRST policy was that if a public high school team was already screening, their existing process could continue.

I was not trying to say that a church group was any better (or any worse) than FIRST volunteers. I was trying to make the point that most large organized groups have required screening of adult leaders for several years - Little League, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Churchs and on and on - it is surprising that FIRST is just now starting.

My intent was not to offend or insult anyone - sorry if I did.

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

Does anyone else see the faulty reasoning with this type of policy?

I've said before, that I'm an employee of DoD and subject to periodic reinvestigations on a very rigid schedule. I submit to background checks that are standardized across the country. I go through the same investigation that someone in Hawaii or Guam goes through as the "checklist" is standard. How many of you that have been cleared by the high and mighty "public school" systems say that? Your background check is probably based at best, on a statewide standard, but more likely that not on a district basis.

I feel that it is asinine for FIRST to grant the public school empire to be the only group exempt from a centralized background investigation program, if they wind up deciding to go that route.

See you on the high ground!

Jim

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

Have to disagree with you if you found much good in the Youth Protection Policy...

What happened to the days where adults played the role of adults and children played the role of children? When I was growing up...any adult on the street could get my attention if I had my hands in the wrong cookie jar. I listened to and obeyed folks that were not my parents or had not gone through an invasive background check to interact with me. Those adults that were temporarily "in charge" of me for safety and discipline also protected me against threats....to include sexual predators. When I was in the care of my parents...that was their job.

In dealing with students/children in the FIRST environment, we are working with 14-18 year olds. These students are well aware by now that there's a threat out there, with them as the target. Whether or not there are more sickos out on the street than there were 30 years ago when I was out there in the "target zone" remains to be seen. These teenagers are savvy and smart enough to know if there's a potential problem with an adult. If something happens, then they go to a mentor and make a complaint. If the complaint winds up to have some merit, bounce the trouble maker and drive on.

If I'm minimizing or making light of the problem, then I think the FIRST has to come up with "for instances" that somehow backup this issue. What's happened in the past within the FIRST community? Or are they simply reacting to other organizations that have had problems and trying to learn from their mistakes...hoping to cover their butts?

Wow, that's alot of ink. Think about it kiddies!

Jim

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

If we were truly dealing with children in this issue, my feelings would probably be much different. The audience we're trying to protect here are young adults from the ages of 14-18. They're almost ready to enter that cold, cruel world we as adults operate in. Some of the responsibility needs to shift towards them when it comes to figuring out when situations are wrong and how to avoid them.

I believe that FIRST is succumbing to pressure from that group of people, collectively known as lawyers, to cover their butts before something comes to light. It is inevitable that when you put men, women, boys and girls together something "seamy" is going to happen. Ask the US military fighting the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistann....one would think that they'd have other things on their minds....but have heard of pregnancies rising in those areas of operations. The school personnel, mentors and students share a responsibility in maintaining an atmosphere that prevents "bad things" from happening to "good people."

I'll use the recent news headline about a 49 year old female teacher seducing and engaging in terrible conduct with an 11 year old male student as an example. Text to follow:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A 49-year-old music teacher has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a boy she first seduced when he was 11 years old, authorities said.

Carol Flannigan, a teacher at Rolling Green Elementary in Boynton Beach, was arrested Wednesday on six charges, including two counts of capital sexual battery on a child under 12. Authorities said the relationship lasted for 19 months.

Flannigan had developed a close relationship with the boy and his family after he took her music class, inviting him and two younger brothers to sleep over at her Boca Raton home.

The stepmother of the boy, now 13, asked Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to investigate after finding sexually suggestive text messages on his cell phone Tuesday.

After interviewing the boy, investigators listened in on a phone call the boy made to Flannigan in which she told him to continue lying about their relationship, according to an arrest report.

The Department of Children & Families had investigated Flannigan in 2002, after her husband told a marriage counselor she had described feelings she had when she kissed a 12-year-old boy, according the report.

DCF and police concluded there was no indication of sexual abuse or inappropriate touching and closed that case after the boy said he had "tap kissed" Flannigan but had not felt uncomfortable, the report said.

Law enforcement officials were unable to confirm whether the boy in the DCF probe was the same as the one at the focus of Wednesday's arrest.

The accused teacher had undoubtedly passed through background checks in her school position....but guess what? She still was able to inappropriately interact with a student 35+ years her junior. Who's to say that she wasn't an adult mentor with a Lego League team...that would be the approving authority for YOUR mentor application to work with students?

Kinda makes you think. Why can't we adults simply assume the leadership roles, students take the follower/learner/(and of course teacher role for us old people) and lets get back on track and make the world a better place through recognizing science and technology?

See you on the high ground!

Jim

Re: Volunteer Screening?
 

thats is tragic - and very difficult to prevent.

but it would be irresponsible if that teacher moved to another state, and did it again two years from now - that CAN be prevented

the world will never be perfect. That doenst stop us from trying to make it as close as we can get.