Who needs to complete a background check?

All volunteers over the age of 18 must have a background check completed prior to the start of serving. Background checks will be renewed every 5 years.

What information do you collect, and what do you do with it?

The MTA (Ministry Team Application) and reference responses are kept confidential to GHCC staff, and key volunteers directly involved in the onboarding process.

Access to background check results is limited to Golden Hills Leadership and Administrative Staff. 

What information is on a background check?

No financial data, job history, or credit information will be included. 

Is my data secure?

We use Checkr to run background checks. For information about the privacy and security of your information submitted through Checkr, please see Data Storage and Information Security.

Is membership required to serve?

Membership is required for some serving roles. 

Can I volunteer if I have a criminal record?

A prior conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from serving except in some cases for positions serving minors. See our Child Protection Policy for details. In all other scenarios, applicants with a prior conviction will be given the opportunity to discuss the nature of the conviction with GHCC staff. 

How long will the process take before I can start serving?

The length of time varies depending on how quickly requirements are completed, including response time of listed references. The average completion time for onboarding requirements is about 2-3 weeks.

Does any of the requirements expire/need to be renewed?

Note: Results cannot be shared or transferred so any Live Scan completed for a different organization (including GHCS) will not be applicable. 
Additional or new references may be requested if joining a different ministry or a different role.

Can I start serving while I work on the onboarding tasks?

No, all requirements must be complete prior to the start of serving.