A characteristic of a safe community is a welcoming community. If you are committed to promoting and embracing a safe environment, you will welcome individuals to participate in your programs, valuing each person and seeing them from a perspective that is without judgment, or thinking yourself better than another.
During March we are daring to engage in a dialogue with our members and clients on the topic of discrimination and bias. None of us want to admit that we have bias’, let alone that we discriminate against individuals. According to Amnesty International, “Discrimination strikes at the very heart of being human. It is harming someone’s rights simply because of who they are or what they believe. Discrimination is harmful and perpetuates inequality.”
We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of our race, ethnicity, nationality, class, caste, religion, belief, sex, gender, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, age, health, or other status. Yet all too often we hear heartbreaking stories of people who suffer cruelty simply for belonging to a “different” group from those in positions of privilege or power. 
Providing an environment that is free of discrimination does not mean that you must approve of people’s life choices, lifestyle, values, or beliefs. Rather, to promote a community that is free of discrimination, is encouraging your community to set aside ideals and show kindness and compassion to others that hold different opinions or look and act differently than you. To be welcoming, without discrimination is providing an empty chair and welcoming whoever comes to sit in that chair. It is taking time to listen well, and to be a learner. 
If you are open to joining us for the conversation, we invite you to read and comment on Melodie’s blog on the 12 Qualities of a Safe and Discrimination-Free Community, and to join Charlie for our Special Interest Webinar on the 21st in honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Click on the links to access.
P.S. Did you miss our Deeper Dive topics in January and February into other topics that often create unsafe communities? 
In January we unpacked the definitions and indicators of spiritual abuse with Naomi Wright, Executive Director of BeEmboldened. In February we celebrated pink shirt day with Cheryl Smith Debanne as she focused in on the different types of bullying and how to prevent and respond when bullying occurs. Check out our school or member section of the website for past recordings.

Soon to be hot off the press. Reserve your copy today!
Last year we set out to complete the newest version of Plan to Protect: A Safeguarding Guide for Children, Youth and Adults (Church Edition). This is the first major update we have made to the manual in the last 15 years. This manual will replace our existing manuals. We encourage you to reserve your copy of it today. Due to unforeseen obstacles, we are now hoping to send the manual to the publisher in early March and will be shipping out manuals end of April. 
Set aside April 22nd for the official launch of the manual!
This manual will provide you updated content from our previous manual but so much more including updated case studies, general policy and procedures statements for the whole church, power differentials, sexual harassment, clergy misconduct, progressive steps of discipline, spiritual abuse, new immigrant settlement, visitation, documentation management, and dealing with offenders. Melodie has also included some of her learnings from her doctoral thesis into the manual elevating the voice of the victim in the manual. 
A complimentary copy of the manual will be sent to
all members of Plan to Protect®. To confirm your status
as a member, call 1-877-455-3555 ext. 10.
SRP of the manual is $79.99 plus tax and shipping. 

Plan to Protect: A Guide for Camps, Schools, Sporting Leagues and Daycares Safeguarding Children, Youth and Adults will be published later in 2022.
Did you know we are always adding to our list of FAQs?
Question: How do the laws around human rights impact our hiring practices if we are a faith-based organization?
 
Answer: Canadian and American human rights laws differ, even from province to province and state to state. It would be wise to search out your province’s or state’s human rights laws and, more specifically, the law on discrimination, hiring and exemptions before applying any exemptions permitting creed-based or Holy Scripture-based preferences in hiring and recruitment. For example, the Supreme Court of Canada has upheld the right for religious and creed-based organizations to prefer hiring persons or to only hire persons who identify with a particular creed. However, the fact that an organization is religious is not on its own sufficient reason to require a successful job applicant to identify with a particular creed. Read More

DID YOU MISS OUR MOST UPDATED ISSUE OF PROTECT – Empowering Youth!?
Articles include: 
  • Dangerous Game and Youth Activities
  • Empowering and Equipping Youth to Serve
  • Vaping: Should you be Worried
  • My Struggles with Self Injury
Would you like to order additional hard copies to share with your youth leaders and parents of teens? If so email [email protected].
Copies are $2.50 each plus tax and shipping.

Check out Our Training in March!
March 09, 2022
2:00pm - 3:00pm Eastern Time

A one-hour seminar designed to raise the awareness of Elder Abuse. During this community event, we will learn what Elder Abuse is, how to recognize and respond to it, and valuable strategies to prevent Elder Abuse from happening. Everyone is welcome! Let's plan to protect!

for details and registration.
March 10, 2022
7:30pm - 9:00pm Eastern Time

We have modified our Plan to Protect® Orientation training for Board Members and Trustees.

for details and registration.
March 15, 2022
12:30pm-1:00pm Eastern Time

This is a complimentary webinar. Register to participate LIVE with Q&A time, or to receive access to an instant replay.

for details and registration.
Special Interest: Deeper Dive into Discrimination
in honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Discrimination
March 21, 2022
12:00pm - 1:00pm Eastern Time
In honour of the International Day for the Elimination of Discrimination, we will take a look at policies that help to address common areas of discrimination. We will look at our most common policies for confronting discrimination: Definitions of Discrimination and Harassment, Gender Identity, and Refugees and New Immigrants. We will also review the recent history of Canada's laws and Human Rights Tribunals, and how those affect organizations in Canada and more!
March 24, 2022
8:00pm - 9:30pm Eastern Time

This webinar is great for individuals and groups who need to be refreshed in Plan to Protect® policies and procedures.

for details and registration.
March 26, 2022
1:00pm - 3:30pm Eastern Time

Join us for this 2 hour orientation training covering awareness of abuse and so much more!

for details and registration.
March Special!
We have been promoting screening services for 20 years. We finally found a platform to offer our clients where you receive LIVE chat function for you and your candidates to ensure seamless screening and excellent customer service.  

$33 VALUE
Did you know that if you were a member of Plan to Protect® you could save between $4.00 and $8.00 on every criminal record check you process with Plan to Protect® ScreeningCanada. This adds up and will help you off-set the price of your membership. 
Plus, you will receive all the other benefits
of membership. 

What is an Enhanced Criminal Check?
Comprised of a Standard Criminal Record Check combined with an additional search that uncovers any activity before a conviction (charges, warrants, judicial orders, peace bonds, probation). 
An additional service allowing individuals to declare previous convictions in Canada at the beginning of the Criminal Record Check process, and then have that information verified by police. 
Benefits
  • Live Chat functionality for immediate client and candidate support
  • Cost savings for the client
  • Local knowledge and Canadian expertise
  • Convenient online reporting
  • Integrated with Accredited Police Agencies
  • Both client and candidate to access completed results
  • Industry leading security protocols, encryption, and integration methodologies
Options:
  • National Criminal Background Checks
  • Credit Reliability Reports
  • Provincial Driver Abstract Records
  • Education Verifications
  • Employment Verifications
  • Credential Verifications
  • Social Media Audits
  • E-Reference Checks 
  • Vulnerable Sector Verification
  • Options are now available for USA Checks 
Email [email protected] if you are interested