The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Meetings to hold Religious Education on virtual platforms. Even though we are not together face to face, child safety remains a concern. The following guidance for online child safety was developed by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting (PhYM).
Getting Ready:
For online program gatherings, Zoom is preferable to Skype/Facetime/Google Hangout.
- Note that Zoom keeps data from recordings, whiteboards, chat box, etc. No sensitive information should be uploaded, discussed in chats, or recorded using Zoom.
- Share the link to the Zoom privacy policy (https://zoom.us/privacy) with participants and parents in event welcome emails, and ask them to read before joining the meeting.
- Settings need to be managed with care. Default settings for PYM Youth Programs Zoom account include those below. These settings may be changed to meet a specific program need, but the default is reset.
-
- cannot join before host
- waiting room on (removed participants cannot rejoin)
- muted on entry
- participant whiteboard off
- disabling screen share
- only host can share screen
- chat function off
- virtual background off
Inform parents when we are meeting with young people, especially if they are not already participating in our programs. When parents/guardians are aware of what is happening, they can set up young people to access the session appropriately with any oversight if they want.
- For Children’s Programs and Family Meetups, adults register and are present.
- Middle School and Young Friends registration on the PYM website includes a section for parent/guardian name and email, and both the participant and adult are sent the event welcome email with: the date and time of the video conference session, who is hosting and which adults will be there, and an idea of what the program will include.
- MSF and Young Friends parent/guardian is asked for a one-time reply, which is considered consent for attending gatherings. The request for the one-time reply contains language attesting to future consent.
Registration for Youth Programs uses the PYM website (and gravity forms*) to collect information that aligns with what we ask for in-person events (name, date of birth, grade in school, meeting affiliation if applicable, etc.). Simple forms focus on participant contact information and contact information for an adult. Both are sent a welcome email, so that an adult is aware of the youth participating in an online community/gathering.
* Other youth groups, in local meetings and Quarters, might consider using Google forms.
Registered participants receive Zoom information the day before an event by email. Youth and parent/guardian email addresses are blind copied.
Community Safety and Inclusion:
PYM program staff are present on the call before the designated start time of event. Consider having at least one additional person available at this time, should one team member be prevented due to illness or emergent responsibilities.
Two adults are present (minimum) so that one can focus on facilitating program and the other person is managing functions like the waiting room, mute/unmute, etc.
Friendly Presences who participate in virtual events must have the same background check completed and on file with PYM as for in-person events.
Photo permission:
- We do not record Zoom events or take screen shots of participants, except with full awareness and preparation for occasional, promotional snapshots or certain workshops we want to make available for access to community members who could not attend.
- We ask that participants not take “screen shots” on their own devices.
- Online participants in Youth Programs need to have on file the current-year Medical/ Permission form (includes photo permission, see below).
Virtual Programs:
- Introduce hosts (facilitators, volunteer adult friendly presences)
- Participant introductions (facilitators note others in participant’s physical space)
- Guidelines are shared and agreed to at the start of the event
- Check Zoom knowledge
Inclusion and Accessibility:
- Are there children or young people who may struggle to participate in this way? What extra support can be put in place for them?
- Be aware of and sensitive to technical difficulties. Be prepared to support.
After:
Facilitators/hosts stay online for to debrief after the session ends, or plan another time to share evaluation, affirmations, concerns, and issues that need to be addressed before the next event.
PYM PHOTO RELEASE (2019-20)
I hereby grant permission to PYM to use my/my child’s photographic or video image and audio recordings of myself/my child on its Web site, on its social media pages, or in official printed publications without further consideration, and I acknowledge PYM’s right to crop or treat the photograph, video recording or audio recording at its discretion. I also acknowledge that PYM may choose not to use my/my child’s photo, video recording or audio recording at this time, but may do so at its own discretion at a later date. I also understand that once recordings of my child and my/my child’s image is posted on PYM’s Web site, the image, video recording or audio recording can be downloaded. Therefore, I agree to indemnify and hold harmless PYM from any claims. PYM reserves the right to discontinue use of photos, audio recording or video recording without notice.
4/23/2020
Some parts adapted from Britain Yearly Meeting, Children and Young People’s Work, Event & Activity Management Policy Procedures & Guidance 20b and Quaker online youth work example session
An Introduction
The Quaker Religious Education Collaborative (QREC) is an international, cross-branch, grassroots network of Friends sharing a stewardship for lifelong Quaker faith formation through religious education. We formed in April 2014 and now serve more than 300 Friends in our network. We actively engage and support each other across languages and continents. We gather for regional and annual conferences and offer monthly Conversation Circles via an online conferencing platform.
Steering Circle
We share leadership as part of our collaborative mission, making decisions using the Quaker ‘sense of the meeting’ process, sitting in expectant, worshipful waiting for the emergence of shared truth. Read more…
Working Circles
Our work takes place in ‘circles’ or small groups of Friends who labor on a common task, usually meeting by video conference due to the geographic diversity of the membership. Read more…
The Resource Library
Finders Guide, a sampling of the collection
The QREC Resource Library is a place to share lessons and other educational information in support of our work as Quaker religious educators. This library is a forum for curricula, articles, videos and other educational materials on Quaker themes. You will also find principles, policies and procedures to strengthen operation of your child, youth and adult religious education programs.
Children's Education
Adult Education
Family
African Quaker Library
Youth Education
Small Meetings
Young Adult Friends
Biblioteca QREC
Events
Find renewal, companionship, and help for nitty gritty issues in Quaker religious education, all the while opening spaces for Spirit to work and listening together for God’s way forward.
QREC holds an annual conference and retreat. In addition we hold online Conversation Circles and post other religious education events as we learn about them.
Conversation Circles
Online conferences for Quaker religious educators to share about their work. Conversations are scheduled for two sessions per topic to encourage international participation. Join the conversation…
Other Events
Religious education events of interest to Quakers from all parts of the world. Please let us know about upcoming online or in-person events happening in your area. See the list of upcoming events…
Love at the Heart
Spiritual Practices
Discernment
Active Caring
Quaker Family Culture
Finding the Light
Faith at Home
Home is the heart of faith formation for all families. This is especially true for Friends. As an experiential religion, Quakerism is best learned through living in loving community. Indeed, the vast majority of faith formation for our young Friends happens at home in the busy swirl of daily life.
Become a Member
Submit Resources
Get Announcements
Donate
Attend an Event
Contact Us
Get Involved
QREC depends on all of us sharing our gifts and skills as religious educators. Here are some of the ways you can get involved…
Author: Melinda Wenner Bradley
Illustrator:
Publisher: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Age Group: Adults
Preparation Time:
Related File: Click to view/download file
Related Link (or File): Click to go to link
Topics: Child Safety, Teacher Training
An Introduction
The Quaker Religious Education Collaborative (QREC) is an international, cross-branch, grassroots network of Friends sharing a stewardship for lifelong Quaker faith formation through religious education. We formed in April 2014 and now serve more than 300 Friends in our network. We actively engage and support each other across languages and continents. We gather for regional and annual conferences and offer monthly Conversation Circles via an online conferencing platform.
Steering Circle
We share leadership as part of our collaborative mission, making decisions using the Quaker ‘sense of the meeting’ process, sitting in expectant, worshipful waiting for the emergence of shared truth. Read more…
Working Circles
Our work takes place in ‘circles’ or small groups of Friends who labor on a common task, usually meeting by video conference due to the geographic diversity of the membership. Read more…
The Resource Library
Finders Guide, a sampling of the collection
The QREC Resource Library is a place to share lessons and other educational information in support of our work as Quaker religious educators. This library is a forum for curricula, articles, videos and other educational materials on Quaker themes. You will also find principles, policies and procedures to strengthen operation of your child, youth and adult religious education programs.
Children's Education
Adult Education
Family
African Quaker Library
Youth Education
Small Meetings
Young Adult Friends
Biblioteca QREC
Events
Find renewal, companionship, and help for nitty gritty issues in Quaker religious education, all the while opening spaces for Spirit to work and listening together for God’s way forward.
QREC holds an annual conference and retreat. In addition we hold online Conversation Circles and post other religious education events as we learn about them.
Conversation Circles
Online conferences for Quaker religious educators to share about their work. Conversations are scheduled for two sessions per topic to encourage international participation. Join the conversation…
Other Events
Religious education events of interest to Quakers from all parts of the world. Please let us know about upcoming online or in-person events happening in your area. See the list of upcoming events…
Love at the Heart
Spiritual Practices
Discernment
Active Caring
Quaker Family Culture
Finding the Light
Faith at Home
Home is the heart of faith formation for all families. This is especially true for Friends. As an experiential religion, Quakerism is best learned through living in loving community. Indeed, the vast majority of faith formation for our young Friends happens at home in the busy swirl of daily life.
Become a Member
Submit Resources
Get Announcements
Donate
Attend an Event
Contact Us
Get Involved
QREC depends on all of us sharing our gifts and skills as religious educators. Here are some of the ways you can get involved…