Rotary Youth Exchange Background Checks

1. Rotary Youth ExchangeBackground Checks Presented at the USA-CANADA CONVENTION MARCH 10, 2006 Eric Marcus, District 6670 Tamara Sanchez, District 5930

2. What is our Biggest Challenge! • Acceptance and going forward with objectives Keep up to date with State, Federal, National and Rotary International requirements • What criteria should be used to select Volunteers and or Host families. • How do we get background checks. • What is the “ Best Way” to do this.

3. Why we are reluctant to run background checks! • Most volunteers are Rotarians • Rotary is selective with membership • Many Rotarians are community leaders • Most volunteers have made significant financial and personal commitment to Rotary • Many volunteers come from business and professional management backgrounds • Most host families are known by a Rotarian

4. Criteria for Volunteers and or Host Families ! • Hand selected vs. cattle calls via advertising • Word of mouth • Church • School • Work • Referral by a Rotarian or already is a Rotarian

5. Changes are taking place in USwith Youth Programs • State Department regulations for the issuance of J-1 visa • National youth organizations are implementing background checks • National Council of Youth Sports • Boy Scouts of America • Big Brothers, Big Sisters • Boys and Girls Clubs of America

6. Purpose of Background Screening • Protect our Youth and deter predators to Volunteer • Protect our clubs members and fellow Rotarians • Protect Rotary International from potential financial, legal and public image. • Meets the Four Way Test.

7. What is the “Best Way” and at what Price! • Determine what your local laws will permit and deemed appropriate by your District. • What do you look for in a provider • Areas to question with a provider?

8. What to look for in a Provider • Criminal & sex offender convictions • Cost-effective • Compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act • State Sex Offender Registry • Web – based ordering and delivery • Comprehensive search and reporting system

9. Questions to considerwith a Provider • How is the vendor receiving and updating their data base • How accurate and current is the data • Who will be held liable for errors • Will the vendor issue a letter of rejection • What type of security features are provided for the data results • How long is the data stored • How will invoicing be handled

10. How do we get background checks done • Not – Internet sex offender registries • Research Background Check Providers via internet, local law offices, referrals by other youth organizations already using a background check system Vendors at this convention include: • Choice Point • Intelius • Spectrum Security

11. Risks to consider when Selecting a Background Check Company • Ease of entry into the business creates a dangerous environment for consumers. • Discrepancies in numbers of records, frequency of updates, validity of information, legality of sources. • Regional strengths, yet communicate “national coverage” leading organizations to a false sense of safety. • Data is difficult to decipher (conviction codes) and easily misinterpreted by the organization. • Results returned may not apply to the subject being verified. The responsibility is on the organizations to make the call. Information provider by a Third source

12. Risks to consider when Selecting a Background Check Company • Providers are not organized with youth organizations as their core business or competency. • Providers do not share in the indemnification process with the client organizations. • FCRA is a difficult process, with minimal support offered by most providers. • General attitude of providers that if not being responsible for the data or any problems arising from it. • False sense of safety in organizations results from misinformation that conducting background checks alone is the answer. Youth organizations need a complete solution to risk management. Information provider by a Third source

13. What is Next – Recommendations • USA-Canada should research and summarize options • Define what constitutes a background check • Establish guidelines for background • Provide recommendations on the Best Practices and Procedures • Create a “Preferred Vendors” list • Volunteers to assist – Contact Neil McDonald

14. AT THE END OF THE DAY Rotary Youth Exchange is a program that helps provide Better Understanding and World Peace Thank you for all you do! A few faces that have been touched by Youth Exchange Past, Present and Future!

15. Contact Exhibitors @ show • ChoicePoint – Robert May 901-261-2785 • Robert.may@choicepoint.com • Intelius – Jeff Sears 425-974-6126 • jsears@intellius.com • Spectrum Security Ltd. 315-476-6279 • Leigh Hunt leigh@securedbyspectrum.com or • Noah Felice noah@securedbyspectrum.com

16. Update: 3/9/06 The State Department has determined that an expansion of program will not be authorized for next year unless a sponsor has submitted written confirmation to Stanley Colvin that it has implemented procedures for criminal background checks for all members of host families ages 18 and over for the 2006-2007 academic year. http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges Per: Nancy Starr Program Designation Officer Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Washington, DC 20547