St. Mark’s Policy on Behavior

We, the congregation of St. Mark’s Church, practice appropriate behavior in our relationships with each other. This is important to all of us in order to make our church a safe place for everyone, from the very youngest children to the elderly.

These are appropriate displays of affection:

                Asking permission before touching

                Hugs

                Pats on the shoulder or back

                Hand-shakes

                “High-fives” and hand slapping

                Verbal praise

                Touching hands, faces, shoulders, and arms

                Holding hands during prayer or when a person is upset

                Holding hands while walking with small children

                Sitting close to small children

                Kneeling or bending down for hugs with a small child

                Holding or picking up children 3 years old and younger

These are inappropriate displays of affection:

                Any form of unwanted affection

                Full frontal hugs or “bear hugs”

                Touching bottoms, chests or genital areas

                Laying down or sleeping beside children

                Massages

                Patting children on the thigh, knee or leg

                Tickling or wrestling

                Touching or hugging from behind

                Games involving inappropriate touching

                Kisses on the mouth

                Compliments that relate to physique or body development

                Showing affection in isolated areas of the building or program area, such as

                   closets, closed or empty rooms, restricted areas or any private room

We take care of each other through Monitoring, Training, and Responding, in which all members of our congregation participate.

 

Monitoring:

The ways we monitor behavior include; all programs have more than one adult in attendance, we have a written policy and supervisory plan, we encourage parents to visit classrooms and programs, all rooms can be viewed at all times, and we review programs carefully.

 

Training:

All employees and volunteers are required to undergo a background check plus receive training in the safety and behavior policies of our church and our diocese. An aspect of this training includes what to watch for in behavior and how to report and respond to any incidents.

 

Responding:

The steps we take when inappropriate behavior is observed include speaking to the person involved, reporting to the program director or supervisor of the person, reporting to the Rector or other leader, reporting to police, reporting to protective services,  and being comfortable reporting anonymously.