Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of VA, Inc.
Criminal Background Check Policy
1. Each applicant who seeks to act as a board member, volunteer working with girls or handling Girl Scout monies, or administrative volunteer shall be required to disclose in writing the details of any crimes for which the applicant has been convicted or to which the applicant has pleaded guilty or no contest.
2. Each applicant shall give written authorization for the council to obtain a criminal background check as may be required by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681-1681u, or other applicable law, as currently in effect and as it may be amended from time to time. Each applicant will be given a copy of their rights under the FCRA for which they will sign.
3. Criminal Offenses. If the council learns that an applicant or volunteer has been convicted of, has pleaded guilty to, or has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor or felony under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia (or any political subdivision), another state (or any political subdivision), or the United States laws, the following shall apply:
A. For crimes against children, offenses against persons, offenses against the family, crimes involving weapons, arson, any violent crime or drug-related offense other than as provided in Section 3C, the person will not be allowed to serve in any capacity.
B. Registered Sex Offender Policy – Status as a registered sex offender is cause for automatic disqualification for any volunteer or staff position at Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia.
If a volunteer shares a household or on a regular basis, hosts as a guest, a registered sex offender, then the volunteer may not participate in any Girl Scout activities and the volunteer may not host any Girl Scout activities in his or her home. Sex offenders cannot be involved in Girl Scout troop activities in anyway, nor can they be present where such activities occur.
C. For a first offense DWI, DUI or possession of marijuana under two ounces, if it has been five years or more since the date of disposition, then the decision whether to allow service shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of the CEO or designee. Other than a first offense the disposition of which occurred five or more years earlier, that person shall not be allowed to serve in any capacity.
D. Any person convicted in the past 10 years for shoplifting, fraud, false pretense, embezzlement, worthless checks or related offenses will be restricted from the management of Girl Scout money. At the discretion of the CEO or designee, persons convicted of such offenses may not be allowed to serve in any capacity.
E. For any other criminal offenses, regardless of whether it is classified as a felony or as a misdemeanor, that person shall have his or her case reviewed on a case by case basis. The decision whether to allow service shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of the CEO or designee.
4. If charges are pending related to any criminal offense other than minor traffic violations, involvement with the Council as a volunteer will be temporarily suspended pending disposition of the case and employment (or continued employment) with the Council shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of the CEO or designee.
5. Contest of Criminal History Transcript. Any applicant or volunteer who disputes and desires to contest any information that appears on the criminal history record transcript must file with the council written notice challenging the accuracy of the transcript within ten days following the submission of each notice. The individual must take all steps necessary to challenge the report and provide the Council with sufficient documentation that the transcript is in error and that steps are being taken to correct the transcript. Upon resolution of the matter with the agency providing the report, the individual may submit a certified copy of the corrected criminal history record transcript to the council. All costs associated with an appeal of the criminal history report provided to the Council shall be borne by the individual. Further, it is the responsibility of the individual contesting the report, not the Council, to take all action necessary to contest or correct the criminal history report. Notwithstanding, an “individual” contest of information contained in the criminal history report, the Council is entitled to and shall rely upon the information contained in the criminal history report until such time as a corrected criminal history manuscript has been provided. The Council does not control the information that is contained in criminal history reports, and the Council shall have no liability to any person for the information contained in such reports or for its actions taken in reliance upon such reports.
6. Continued Service. Each volunteer and employee as a condition of continued service consents to a periodic review of his or her criminal background. Upon request of the council, each volunteer shall give written authorization for a criminal background check when requested.
Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of VA, Inc.
Criminal Background Check Procedures
When a record of criminal history is received, the Administrative Assistant/Adult Development will review the record. If the history contains a conviction for any of the crimes listed in the policy statement, it will be referred to the Director of Adult Development. A letter of pre-adverse action with a copy of the report will be sent to the individual by certified letter. The individual will have 10 days from the date of receipt to respond and take appropriate action to resolve the matter as described above. If the matter is not resolved within that time-frame, the Director of Adult Development will send the adverse action letter to the individual by certified mail. A letter of rejection (containing no confidential information) will be sent to the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council supervisor of the applicant/volunteer and staff supervisor will receive a copy.
All records and information concerning positive background checks will be handled discreetly and confidentially. Records will be kept in a locked cabinet and accessed by Director of Adult Development