Key actions and information for clubs

Key actions and resources for Rotary clubs

Rotary Clubs and programs must follow the Four Critical Actions and our Child safety Responding and Reporting Obligations Policy and Procedure when responding to an incident, disclosure or suspicion of child abuse. In accordance with Rotary Code of Policies section 2.120.2. “A club must terminate the membership of any individual who initiates contact with youth in a Rotary context after being notified they have been prohibited from contact with youth.”
 
All Rotary members who work with children are required to have a valid Working With Children Check, which is verified with Service Victoria or Service NSW annually by the club, as must any other volunteer working directly with children. More information is in the table below and in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.
 
Depending on the level of risk associated with child connected work, Rotary members and other volunteers are required to complete training and have suitability checks undertaken prior to working with children. The table below describes the actions that must be taken, and the district protection officer can answer any questions.

Who

Training

Suitability check

WWCC

All rotary members

Annual email reminder sent by district

Not required

Not required but strongly recommended

Club youth chairs and/or club protection officers

Annual training at district assembly plus Rotary Youth Protection module

At least 3 referees, one non-rotary

Required

Rotary members and other volunteers working directly with children on low-risk activities

Annual email reminder sent by the club / program chair

Not required

Required

Rotary members and other volunteers working directly with children on high-risk activities

Rotary Youth Protection module plus program specific briefing/induction

At least 3 referees, one non-rotary

Required
 

Examples of low-risk and activities are outlined in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy. If you are unsure of the risk level of an activity you are undertaking, you should contact the district protection officer for further advice. Where high-risk activities are occurring, additional documentation must be provided to the district protection officer as outlined in our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

It is the responsibility of each Rotary Club in the district to ensure the required suitability checks and training is completed, and that records of those are maintained, except where contractors and/or volunteers are directly engaged by a district committee, in which case it is the responsibility of the committee’s chair or their delegate.