Participant Consent Form
Electronic Communication Guidelines
Saint Joseph is committed to creating a safe ministry environment. This includes promoting a healthy
environment for texting and other electronic communication between paid/volunteer staff and
children/youth who participate in children’s/youth ministry activities. As a result, the following guidelines
shall be followed:
Cell phones/other Wi-Fi devices are not to be used during children/youth ministry activities. Emergency
contact to parents will be made through the youth leader.
Paid/volunteer staff may not share personal information about any child/youth through group e-mails,
social media, or other public electronic media without a signed consent form from both the minor and the
parent/guardian, except in an emergency. Personal information may include such things as names, phone
numbers, e-mail addresses, and photographs.
When communicating with paid/volunteer staff, other people involved in child/youth ministry activities, or
posting content to websites that the ministry owns or controls (such as its Facebook page), several
conditions apply:
You aren’t to make comments or share images that are sexually suggestive, disrespectful,
insensitive. Harassment and bullying are strictly forbidden.
You must obtain permission from an authorized children’s/youth ministry leader before posting
photos or personal information about others involved in ministry activities on any website or
social media site the ministry controls.
All information, images or videos shared electronically through public ministry communication
channels are not considered confidential.
Those who violate this policy will be put through a warning process which may include a verbal
warning, written warning and parent meeting.
_______ I understand and agree to the terms of this policy.
SJUMC has my permission to:
_______ Share my name, telephone number and e-mail address with others involved in
Children’s or Youth Ministry activities.
_______ Share photos and other information about me on SJUMC website and other
electronic media channels controlled by the ministry.
Name of
Minor:_____________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Minor:_____________________________________________ Date:________________
Adopted spring 2014
Electronic Communication Guidelines
Saint Joseph United Methodist Church
Appendix F
Texting, emailing and other forms of electronic communication have become common today, especially among
students. Texting and electronic communication can be a vital part of youth ministry work, but their improper use
can produce serious consequences.
To promote safety and create a healthy environment for texting and electronic communication between
paid/volunteer staff and children/youth who participate in children’s/youth ministry activities at SJUMC the following
guidelines shall be followed:
1.
Paid/volunteer staff using text messaging, e-mail, social networking websites or other forms of electronic
media to communicate with children/youth must first sign an electronic communication consent form
following Safe Sanctuary training.
2.
Paid/volunteer staff may not transmit any content that is illicit, unsavory, abusive, pornographic,
discriminatory, harassing, or disrespectful when communicating with each other or with children/youth
involved in ministry activities.
3.
Except in an emergency, paid/volunteer staff may not transmit any personal information pertaining to a
child/youth without a signed consent form from both the minor and the parent/guardian. This applies to
group texting, group e-mail, or any other public method of electronic communication. Personal information
may include such things as a minor’s name, phone number, e-mail address, or photograph.
4.
Paid/volunteer staff will discourage children/youth from using cell phones during ministry programs except
in an emergency, to contact a parent or guardian, or to place calls specifically approved by paid/volunteer
staff.
5.
Paid/volunteer staff will instruct children/youth occasionally about the Electronic Communication Guidelines
and the danger of such conduct as “sexting.”
6.
Paid/volunteer staff who become aware of possible child abuse through electronic media must immediately
notify the Authority Figure. SJUMC will consult with its attorney and report abuse as required by law.
7.
All information, images, or videos shared electronically through public ministry communications channels
aren’t considered confidential.
8. To participate in ministry electronic communications, children/youth must sign a consent form.
9. Children/youth who violate these guidelines may lose electronic communications privileges and will be put
through a warning process which includes, verbal and written warnings leading to a conference with the
parent/guardian to determine next disciplinary steps.
10. Cellular phones can cause distraction if used while driving. For safety reasons, paid/volunteer staff driving
on ministry business are not to make calls unless they use a hands-free device. If they receive a cell phone
call while driving, the paid/volunteer staff should answer it using a hands-free device or pull off the road to
a safe location as soon as possible.
11. Paid/volunteer staff driving on ministry business are to avoid cell phone use, even hands- free, when
transporting children/youth, while driving in heavy traffic, during hazardous weather conditions, or when it
violates local law.
12. Paid/volunteer staff are never to send or read text messages while driving.
Adopted spring 2014