...for priesthood leaders and Young Men Leaders Best Practices that will reduce the risk of accidents, losses and litigation...

...for priesthood leaders and Young Men Leaders

Best Practicesthat will reduce the risk of accidents, losses

and litigation...

Approximately 420,000 boys (and 180,000 leaders) registered to LDS wards and branches across the U.S. See, 2011 Boy Scouts of America Local Council Index, using December 31, 2011, membership data

Most units meet weeklyMany units camp once a month

2002: Two scouts killed in auto accidents2002: 16-year-old paralyzed while diving2004: Scout killed in ATV/snowmobile wreck2004: Three scouts die in separate falls2004: Scout lost while returning to camp2005: Priest killed in zip line accident2005: Teacher killed on rafting trip2005: Advisor killed in rappelling accident2010: Scout Corey Buxton fell to his death 2011: Scout killed by lighting at the Scofield

Scout Camp2011: Teenage boy drowned during a 2011

boating outing at Quail Creek State Park. Deseret News Headline “Mother sues Mormon Church, youth leader in son's drowning death.”

Training (Part of 4 Ts – Training, Tenure, Testimony and Time)Fast Start programYouth Protection (every 2 years)Basic leader trainingWoodbadge

Tenure of leaders (10 years, but goal is no less than 5 years)

Weigh benefit of activity v. risk

Short tenure if they don’t enjoy the work and are not wiling to put in the time necessary, and long tenure if they love the young men and want to serve then with all of their hearts and souls.

Vaughn Featherstone

Identify training expectations when calling leaders. See, Handbook 2, 19.2

Stake YM presidencies provide training for ward and branch leaders. See, Handbook 2, 15.4.1

Set expectation of training for all Young Men and Scouting leaders.

Is BSA training voluntary? What BSA training is required? (Review LDS Scout Leader Training updated March 26, 2012)

Education and Training

Required for all scout functions and activities

Never go aloneCancel??? – last resort!

“Two-deep” Leadership

(at least two leaders for each activity)

Church leaders -Review membership records for annotations PRIOR to extending any call involving youth and/or scouts

Contact previous ecclesiastical leaders

Review BSA protocolInitial registration signed by COR &

CCQuestions??? -- Contact the Help

Line: (800) 240-1911

Individual Screening/Background Checks

Required to access BSA liability insurance coverage

Safety/Preparedness checkTour permits needed for overnight camps or

activities outside local council areaCheck with local council

for specific guidelinesNo tour permit? No tour!

Tour Permits

Q. Why should I complete a tour and activity plan? A. The tour and activity plan is a planning tool for best practices to be prepared for safe and fun adventure. Completing the plan may not address all possible challenges, but it can help ensure that appropriate planning has been conducted, that qualified and trained leadership is in place, and that the right equipment is available for the adventure. In addition, the plan helps to organize safe and appropriate transportation to and from an event, and defines driver qualifications and minimum limits of insurance coverage for drivers and vehicles used to transport participants. Please complete and submit this plan at least 21 days in advance (check with your local council) to ensure your council has enough time to review the plan and assist as necessary. See, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/TourPlanFAQ.aspx

Q. When do I need to complete a tour and activity plan? A. Trips of 500 miles or more; or Trips outside of council borders (exception: not to your council-owned property). Also:•Trips to Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier, Philmont Scout Ranch, Summit Bechtel Reserve (you will be asked to present a copy of  your tour and activity plan upon arrival), national Scout jamboree, National Order of the Arrow Conference, or a regionally sponsored event; or •When conducting any of the following activities outside of council or district events:

• Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.) • Climbing and rappelling • Orientation flights (process flying plan) • Shooting sports • Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program (snowmobiles,

boating, etc.); or • At a council's request (Contact your local council for additional guidelines or

regulations concerning tour and activity plans; many have set guidelines for events or activities within council boundaries such as for Cub Scout overnight camping.)

See, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/TourPlanFAQ.aspx

Parental knowledge and permissionPermission/informed consent forms

Ecclesiastical oversightAsk –

When?Where?Who?How?Why?

Planning with a purpose

Adult Involvement

Notify stake president/bishop of accident or injury

Contact Risk Management at 1-866-LDS-RISKEcclesiastical leaders should

be aware of possible secondary benefits through Church Activity Insurance

Reporting Protocol in case of an Injury or

Accident

Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, Section 10

BSA Guide to Safe Scouting, The Sweet 16 of BSA Safety & Other Little Philmont Materials

Use inspiration and common sense

Know Safety Resources

www.lds.org Click on Serving in the Church

Select Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men Select Scouting

Resource Websites

www.scouting.org Type desired publication in Search field

Fast Start Program (new leader training) Guide to Safe Scouting (guidelines for activities) Youth Protection (abuse information) Keys to Safe Driving (driving information) Climb On Safely (climbing activity guidelines)

Encourage use of official BSA camps, when available

Ensure BSA standards and certificationUnderstand safety, insurance, and indemnity

issues

Use BSA Summer Camps

Reduces risk of loss or injuryPromotes safety mentality

among leaders and scouts

Reduces risk of litigationExposure to leadersExposure to ChurchExposure to BSA

Preserves sacred resources of the Church

Allows for Priesthood Purpose to be fulfilled

Advance Preparation

Prior to approving a scout activity, ask:Are youth and adults properly registered?Parental permission and health forms used?Familiar with Guide to Safe Scouting and

committed to following the guidelines?Has a tour and activity plan been obtained?Have leaders planned for emergencies and

provided advance safety orientation?Anything else?

“Please, observe and teach habits of safety and well-being. . . safeguard those in your charge. As surely as this is the Lord’s work, so the adversary will do all that he can to injure and destroy. Brethren, you are the guardians of those sent to work under your direction. You must be aware of the hazards they face. You must do all you can, and you must observe these same practices yourselves to reduce injury.”

-- President Gordon B. Hinkley Mission Presidents’ Seminar, 27 June 1997