[Dave Campbell]

[quote=Andy Baker

2. This program does put the responsibility on the public school systems to "police their own" volunteers (you just need to read the fine print to find it). FIRST is just wanting to see that public schools are being responsible and screening their "coaches" who are acting as mentors. If you notice, FIRST has made an exception that people who are either teachers at a public school, employed at the school, or volunteers at the school. If a school screens these people and can simply show to FIRST that they have done this, then it seems that FIRST is happy.

All in all, I think that FIRST is going too far with requiring that all teams should do this. They should provide information and resources for teams to do it (like through VolunteerSelect), and then have teams sign off by saying that they, the teams, are responsible for screening their own mentors. Their "requirements" and mandatory screening are simply going too far.

Andy B.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you completely. It will be difficult though now for FIRST to be proven negligent in any lawsuit, which from my simple understanding of law, is most important. With a policy in place, they have pushed the burden to the team leaders who will be named along with schools and sponsors in any lawsuit. Most schools probably have a process in place, whether or not it is used by teams. Team leaders should consult with schools and legal counsel if they are concerned. CYA!