Rel. Emblems Counselor

GUIDELINES FOR NEW APPLICANTS FOR COORDINATORS/COUNSELORS/FACILITATORS

1. YOU MUST KNOW WHAT YOUR ROLE IS…

Many new applicants to the program are not aware of the Religious Emblems program of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.  Each new applicant should be aware the role they are about to step into over the next year.  Below is a list of the three roles that an adult in the religious emblems program can assume.

ROLE OF THE COORDINATOR – (Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei Medals) A Pack Coordinator works as the Counselor to the parents. The Pack Coordinator does not work with the young Scouts. Only parents or legal guardians work directly with the youth. An understanding of where the Scouts are and what kind of assistance the parents need is necessary.

ROLE OF THE COUNSELOR – (Ad Altare Dei Medal) The Counselor is to help the youth in going beyond the surface answers of childhood as part of their experience of growing as a Christian and to deal calmly and reasonably with the occasional challenge to authority.

ROLE OF THE FACILITATOR – (Pope Pius XII Medal) As a Facilitator the Emblems Counselor now steps back and lets the older youth lead the discussions. The Facilitator is a general moderator or guide. The Facilitator brings the group together to get the youth started. The Facilitator adapts these skills depending on the need of the moment.

2. YOU MUST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH BOTH THE ARCHDIOCESES OF CHICAGO AND THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA (BSA) YOUTH PROTECTION POLICIES

VOLUNTEER COMPLIANCE WITH THE ARCHDIOCESES OF CHICAGO – OFFICE FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Any parish volunteer working with children must complete the following prior to working with children (links have been provided)

1. Online criminal background check (eApps)    Online Background Check
2. Protecting God’s Children Training (Virtus)    Virtus
3. Read and Sign the Code of Conduct              Code of Conduct Form
4. Department of Children & family Services’ Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System form CANTS.
   
5. Mandated Reporter Training.

VOLUNTEER COMPLIANCE WITH SCOUTING AMERICA – YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING (EVERY TWO-YEAR TRAINING)

Scouting America provides its youth protection training at www.myscouting.org.

3. YOU MUST REGISTER WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING

The link below will take you to an online form. Complete the online form and a member of the Archdiocese of Chicago Committee on Scouting (ACCS) will complete the following on your behalf:

1. The ACCCS will contact the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth to verify your eApps and your Protecting God’s Children Training.
2. The ACCCS will verify your BSA Youth Protection Training.
3. The ACCCS will verify that you have taken the ACCCS Religious Emblems Training.
4. Once items 1 through 3 are verified the ACCCS will seek your Pastor’s endorsement on your behalf.

Online Application for Coordinator/ Counselor / Facilitator (Click here)

Download (paper) Counselor Application here.Counselor-Application-2021

This is an INDEPENDENT verification step between the ACCCS and the Office for the Protection of Children and Youth, Scouting America, and the Pastor.   Please do not send any documentation to the ACCCS.

4. YOU MUST BE TRAINED FOR YOUR POSITION

The ACCCS offers training sessions in the spring and fall of each year. The training sessions are REQUIRED and provide vital information to new or returning Coordinators, Counselors, and/or Facilitators.