Before You can Volunteer
What is the minimum amount of time an individual must attend Church before volunteering?
6 months
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 51.
How often is a Plan to Protect refresher required for volunteers?
Once every year
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 69.
Who is considered a Child?
Infants aged 0-18 months, toddlers (18 months - approximately 4) and elementary aged children (5-12 years old)
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 208.
How must a ministry personal be identified?
A name tag or approved identifiable clothing.
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 111.
Who can determine if an individual is fit to volunteer?
Church Leadership or Ministry Lead
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 51.
What must be signed after a volunteer receives Plan to Protect training.
Code of Conduct and a Covenant of Care
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 71.
Who is considered a Youth?
Anyone in grades 7-12 (typically 12-18 years old)
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 222.
Who needs to follow the law, biblical and moral standards, even when not in church or at a ministry event?
All Ministry Personnel!
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 109.
How often must a volunteer submit a Criminal Record Check?
Every 3 years
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 63.
Who can volunteer before receiving Plan to Protect training?
Everyone!
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 69.
Who is a Vulnerable Person?
"vulnerable adult is a person who 18 years of age or older, because of his/her age, a disability or other circumstances, whether temporary or permanent, is in a position of dependence on others or is otherwise at a greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person or persons in Positions of Trust or authority relative to him/her."
“Plan to Protect Case Studies - Validate the Pain - Plan to Protect,” Plan to Protect, accessed February 5, 2026, https://www.plantoprotect.com/about-us/news/case-studies/.
When and where must attendance be taken?
Any time there is a meeting/class in a classroom or a program is taking place.
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 114.
What is the difference between the screening of adult volunteers and volunteers under 18?
Criminal Record Check is not required for those under 18.
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 66.
Who needs to receive Plan to Protect training?
Everyone who serves with Children, Youth and Adults or is placed in a Position of Trust.
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 69.
Who is a Safe Person?
A safe person may be described as an individual who, gives time, listens well, deals with information appropriately, supports (even without having all the answers), maintains boundaries, apologizes, sincere, genuine, gentle, affirms, and humbly corrects.
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 26-27.
Where should safety precautions be posted?
They should be posted in highly visible locations in spaces with children, youth and vulnerable adults gather (and can view themselves)
Bissell, Plan to Protect, 107.