IN THIS SECTION

Risk Management

Volunteer Screening Program (VSP)
For the Soccer Association for Youth, USA

The SAY Volunteer Screening program consists of two very distinct procedures. They are designed to work in conjunction with one another to ensure
a safe, healthy soccer experience for players and volunteers alike.

STEP 1: The first portion of the SAY VSP program is the "TIMES TWO” Policy.

                    "Times Two Policy"
                     All SAYAreas must establish and implement a policy to ensure that no less than two adults are present at any team function. Failure to
                     implement the Times Two policy will adversely impact a SAYArea’s liability insurance coverage. Team functions include, but are not limited to,
   games, practices, picnics, etc. While the focus of this policy is the child, it also provides protection for the volunteers as well in the event of
                     misunderstandings. Under no circumstances should the activity take place if only one adult is present. It is recommended that SAYAreas and
                     Districts review their policy on car-pooling. SAY recommends that volunteers not provide transportation for non-family members. In the past this
                     was more of an insurance issue, but now has greater implications in regards to the intent of the Times Two policy.

As stated in the above policy, there are NO exceptions to following the Times Two policy.

STEP 2: The second portion of the SAY National VSP is the Volunteer Screening application and background checks. Here is the official policy:

                     Volunteer Application
                     The SAY Volunteer Application is an official SAY document, to be used solely for the purpose of gathering information on ANY volunteer. For this
                     purpose a volunteer is any individual that may have unsupervised access to children participating in a SAY sanctioned activity, for the purpose of
                     assisting in that activity. (This does not include parents observing their children during such activities.) While coaches’ best fit this description,
                     other volunteers (such as team parent, officials, board members, etc.) could be covered under this program as well. The minimum acceptable
                     standard is for all coaches and assistant coaches to fill out a SAY Volunteer application annually.

The Volunteer Application is available from the SAY website at:
Volunteer Application

                     Information identified as required must be provided by the volunteer in order for the application to be considered. The SAYArea must keep each
                     completed application on file for at least two (2) years. At the end of each season the SAYArea is required to submit a statement, in writing,
                     confirming that all coaches had completed the SAY Volunteer Application. This statement must be sent to the attention of the SAY Executive
   Director at One North Commerce Park Drive, Suite 306-320, Cincinnati, Ohio 45215 . This statement must be received by SAY in order
                     for the SAYArea to qualify for voting rights at the SAY Annual General Meeting.

Note: SAY does not want the Volunteer Application sent to the National Office.

          STEP 3: Personal History YES Response

                    Personal History YES Response
                    Any SAY Volunteer Application with a YES response to the personal history question, will require the applicant to submit to a criminal background
                    check, which could include finger-printing, prior to their being considered for any volunteer position within SAY. (Note – many SAY Areas and
                    Districts background check all of their coaches and volunteers regardless of the answer in the personal history section.) In regards to a YES
                    response to the personal history question, the following actions must be taken.

                              1. The Volunteer Application should be sent directly to the SAYArea Volunteer Administrator (SAVA). All forms received are to be reviewed
                                  to ensure that all questions have been answered and required information provided. The form must include the applicant’s social security
    number in order to perform a background check.

*If the SAVA has already established an account with Lexis Nexis, Inc, proceed with step #2.

*If the SAVA has not established an account with Lexis Nexis, Inc, a new account must be set up
directly with Lexis Nexis, Inc. Please click the link below to go directly to the Lexis Nexis, Inc new
account application:

New Account Setup:
( Click Here )

Helpful Tips for New Accounts:
(Click Here )

    If the SAVA does not have an account established with Lexis Nexis, Inc they will need to complete the new accounts and process listed
                                  below prior to starting the volunteer screening process. Please allow 10-14 days for Lexis Nexis, Inc to establish your account and
                                  to begin ordering.

2. The SAVA should then direct the applicant to the Lexis Nexis, Inc SAY background check website at
( https://selfscreen.lexisnexis.com/VolunteerSelfScreening/welcome.do?saysoccer )

                                  responsible for inputting the required information and the SAVA will have the ability to view the results of the background check
                                  ( https://volunteer.lexisnexis.com/pub/) via the SAYArea’s account which has been set-up with Lexis Nexis, Inc. The applicant will be
                                  required to select one of three package options based on the state of the volunteer opportunity. Package scopes vary.

                                  While viewing the results, any background check coming back with a RED completed indication means there has been information
                                  found on the applicant. Please utilize the "fax the results” portion of this page and fax it to the SAY National Executive Director at
                                  513-769-0500. This information must be compared to the SAY list of disqualifying offenses (click here ).

                                  Volunteers whose Lexis Nexis, Inc background report contains derogatory criminal record information will automatically receive a copy
                                  of their background check directly from Lexis Nexis, Inc.

                              3. If an applicant is required to become active prior to the screening process being completed, the SAYArea may choose to allow a
                                  temporary variance for the applicant. This variance should only be given to those applicants who have previously participated without
                                  incidence in the SAYArea’s program. New applicants should not be granted a variance, nor allowed access to their position until the
                                  process has been completed.

4. Applications containing a RED response should be sent immediately to the SAY National office as follows:

· The SAVA should utilize the fax option on the Lexis Nexis, Inc website and fax it to 513-769-0500.

· Contact the SAY National Office by phone and alert them that a Volunteer Application is on its way.

· No other information should be volunteered at the time.

5. The SAY Executive Director, upon receiving the application, will request any necessary follow-up documentation and/or information

from the applicant as he/she feels is necessary.

6. The applicant will have the opportunity to respond and provide anything that he/she feels is relevant to the matter. He/she will have
seven (7) working days with which to respond to the matter.

                                  Lexis Nexis, Inc also offers consumers direct consumer disclosure with their company. Volunteers can be directed to Lexis Nexis, Inc
                                  to re-investigate findings and make any necessary changes to reporting. The Lexis Nexis, Inc consumer contact information is provided
                                  directly to the volunteer with a copy of their derogatory background report at the time the report request was completed.

7. Any costs associated on the local level for background checking will be the responsibility of the SAYArea.

The SAYArea will not be charged for the involvement of the SAY National Office.

Each SAYArea should provide a copy to the SAY National Office of any additional screening policies or procedures which it
implements in connection with the SAY Volunteer Screening Program.

          STEP 4: Review Results

                    Review Results
                    Once the background screening has concluded, the SAY Executive Director will review the results with the SAVA.

Up to this point in the process, potentially only three people should be aware of an issue with a volunteer application. It is very important that this
information remain protected, not only for SAY and the SAYArea, but for the protection of the applicant as well.

                    When reviewing the results of the background check, SAY will refer to its list of Disqualifying Offenses. If the report indicates an issue that needs
                    to be referred to the SAY Volunteer Committee, the SAY Executive Director will so inform the SAVA. The SAY Volunteer Committee, along with
                    the Executive Director, will then make a determination on the applicant’s status based upon the information obtained.

Note: This is proprietary information. Members of the SAY Volunteer Committee are not to share this information with anyone not part of the
committee .

SAY is very sensitive to the fact that people may have made mistakes in their past that may not necessarily be a reflection of who they are today.

If there are sufficient mitigating circumstances, the SAY Executive Director has the discretion to leave the final decision, regarding the acceptance

of the volunteer, with the SAYArea.

                    As a way of example of itigating circumstances, let’s look at the following scenario; the applicant, at the age of 19, was convicted of a
                    "misdemeanor assault.” The applicant is now 35, has a family, and has no other police history or violation s since the assault conviction. The SAY
                     Executive Director advises the SAVA that the final determination regarding whether or not to accept the applicant will be left to the SAYArea. This
                    leaves several options open to the area:

                  Option A – Blanket Acceptance
                  The SAYArea can simply accept the applicant on consent of the SAYArea board, and leave it at that. No one is to be informed of any
                  criminal history concerning the applicant who is to be treated the same as any other volunteer applicant.

Consequences
This can be a risky proposition. If the applicant does something and the criminal history is made
known, the SAYArea board, collectively and individually, may be open to legal action.

                 Option B – Conditional Acceptance
                 The SAYArea can accept the applicant on the condition that either he/she, or the board with the applicant’s written permission, identify to
   the team’s parents the criminal history of the applicant. This option may also require further consideration based on the laws of the state
                 in which the SAYArea operates.

Consequences
Essentially it is the applicant’s choice. While this is a difficult thing for anyone to do, if the desire to volunteer is
strong enough, the applicant will agree. If the applicant does not agree, they cannot volunteer. Also, parents must be
afforded the opportunity to NOT have their child placed with the applicant.

Option C – Disqualification
The SAYArea can choose to simply not accept the application, denying the applicant the right to volunteer within the SAYArea/District.

Consequences
This is the simplest path to take, but never the less can be difficult.

If the decision to deny or accept was made by the Area Board of Directors, the SAVA shall notify the potential volunteer
in writing. The SAVA shall copy SAY’s Executive Director on any notification to potential volunteers. It is strongly suggested
that the reason for being denied NOT be stated. Notice of denial should simply say "thanks, but no thanks.”

Summary

The screening process and choices necessary in the selection of SAY volunteers is a serious part of a SAYArea Board’s administrative

function. Screening of volunteers must be considered the most important part of any SAYArea’s volunteer recruitment efforts. The protection

of the children is and must remain the primary motivating factor in the selection of volunteers.

Helpful Links
Volunteer Background Check Application	For coaches, assistant coaches and any volunteers within a SAYArea or District.
SAYArea Volunteer Coordinator Review Results	For Volunteer Administrators use in viewing background check results. On results screen, fax any RED completed checks to 513-769-0500.
SAYArea Volunteer Coordinator New Account Setup	Link to setup new accounts for SAYAreas.
New Account Setup Tips	Tips selected to assist you in the setup of your new account.
Certification Form	PDF form assists in the setup of your Lexis Nexis, Inc account.
Address/User Change Form	PDF form is to be used when you are requesting a change in users or a change in address for your Lexis Nexis, Inc account.
Disqualifying Offenses	List of SAY Disqualifying Offenses.

Inquiries into the SAY National Volunteer Screening Program can be directed to:

Sheila Shay-Mole
SAY Executive Director
(800) 233-7291 (800) 233-7291
Fax (513) 769-0500
sshay@saysoccer.org

Bob Sommer
SAY Volunteer Screening Committee Chair
Fax (513) 769-0500
bsommer@saysoccer.org

Risk Management

SAY National Headquarters