Safe and Civil Church Policy
Thanks to the diligent work of our Religious Education Committee, the Board has approved a comprehensive Safe and Civil Church Policy. The purpose of this policy is to establish church-wide guidelines for preventing and reporting abuse, harassment, and other inappropriate conduct directed toward youth and children on church premises or during church-sponsored events.

No incidents of abuse have been suspected or reported in our congregation. However, widespread concerns about the frequency of abuse in child serving organizations and commitment to promoting safety prompted our Unitarian Universalist Association, Thomas Jefferson District, and insurance company to recommend the adoption of abuse prevention policies.

As Unitarian Universalists, we strive to value the inherent worth and dignity of each person. Our Safe and Civil Church policy is intended to help us reach this goal by ensuring that our church premises are free from actions that threaten or harm other persons, especially youth and children. Our policy also provides appropriate means for due process of an accused person, while upholding safety and care within our community.

The policy establishes several new procedures intended to promote safety, including criminal background checks for volunteers who work one-on-one with youth (mentors, overnight chaperones), as is required for most child serving organizations (such as Big Brothers-Big Sisters) and churches. Additionally, it establishes a reporting process and response team in the event that an incident of abuse should be reported, so that we are prepared to handle an accusation with thoughtfulness and regard for our community’s welfare.

For more information about the Safe and Civil Church Policy, you may review the complete policy in our church office, or contact:

Director of Religious Education DirReligiousEd@UUAsheville.org or,
President of the Board of Trustees BoardPresident@UUAsheville.org, or
Rev. Mark Ward Minister@UUAsheville.org

with questions or comments. A one page executive summary of the policy is available from the church office.

Nursery Ratio/Closing Policy 

The ratio of adults to infants (birth-walking) 1 to 3

The ratio of adults to toddlers (walking to 3yrs) 1 to 3

To ensure the safety of all children, we must comply with this ratio at all times. In the event of a staff or volunteer last minute cancellation, we must ask parents to stay and volunteer. If parents do not volunteer to stay, we will close the nursery once the ratio of adults to children has been met. This is only in case of emergencies. We provide a parent volunteer sign up sheet located outside the classroom door where you may sign up for open slots.

Pre-K classroom Ratio/Closing Policy

The ratio of adults to children (3-5yrs old) 2-any number of children

Due to safety issues at this age, there must be two adults in the room at all times. In the event of a staff or volunteer last minute cancellation, we will ask parents to stay and volunteer in the classroom. We ask that parents remain with their children in the classroom until a parent volunteer is located. If parents do not volunteer to stay, we will ask them to take their child to the service. This is only in case of emergencies. We have provided a parent volunteer sign up sheet located on the door of the classroom where you may sign up for open slots.

Emergency Evacuation Plan for the Religious Education Space
The Religious Education Committees have established the following procedures in the event of fire or other emergencies.

1) A map of the Religious Education Program spaces is located in all Religious Education common spaces, indicating the locations of exits, fire extinguishers, and alarms.

2) In evacuating the Religious Education spaces, all children in the main building will be walked through the nearest exit to the far corner of the playground near the tree house climber. Once assembled, they will move to the back lawn of Jefferson House. The group will remain there awaiting further instructions.

3) Religious Education Staff and/or Sunday Coordinators will be in charge of signaling for evacuation, calling 911 (if needed), and checking spaces before leaving the building to join the group outside.

4) Religious Education Teachers will be in charge of the children in their class, keeping a head count, ensuring an orderly departure and return, and staying with their group.

5) Religious Education volunteers and other adults will help the Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten children exit, particularly if window exits must be used.