A rant about release forms

Group, Jul/Aug 2002 by Lawrence, Rick

youth ministry minute

GIVEANDTAKE

That someone is Mikal Keefer, a longtime co-worker and father of a churchgoing teenager. The subject is a change in the language churches are including in their parental release forms for youth events. As a parent of a committed youth group member, Mikal is steaming mad about it, and he's not going to take it anymore...

"My son brought home a release form for a church youth group event a few weeks ago. It covered the usual stuff: permission to travel, an okay to provide medical treatment, and a general description of the event. And then there was a section I'd never seen before on a permission form. I also had to promise to not sue the church, volunteers, or anyone associated with the event-no matter what.

"Sign it, and I was promising not to sue even if a driver popped wheelies on bald tires as he aimed the church bus off a cliff to the applause of drunk, pedophile chaperones.

"I'm all for using release forms. In this litigious society, ministries need to protect themselves, and parents need to understand the risks associated wit an event. But I have serious problems with using 'no liability' release forms.

"For starters, they don't hold up in court. A signed release doesn't allow you to be negligent or abusive. Liability is liability whether or not you've coerced signatures from parents. Release forms are not a substitute for adequate planning and preparation. Second, 'no-sue' forms don't build trust with parents. What have you got to hide?

"Should parents sue when unforeseeable accidents happen? No, because accidents do happen. But if you take shoddy care of our kids you deserve consequences-and you can bet some of them will be legal.

"So in the interest of fairness, I've written my own release form. If you want my son to attend, you'll sign itor explain why you can't.

Ministry Release Form

I, _____, a representative of _____, understand I will be responsible for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the child identified below while he or she participates in the described youth event. I take this responsibility seriously, and will provide, at minimum, the following:

* All vehicles used to transport this child are insured, reliable, and have been maintained so as to present no immediate or predictable safety concerns. Tires have sufficient tread. Seat belts are available when legally required.

* The driver of any vehicle transporting this child is licensed, and appropriate credentials have been obtained. Also, all drivers are covered by your organizations insurance, which is adequate to cover medical bills should the child be injured because of driver negligence.

Our insurance carrier is_____.

The policy number is:_____.

The carrier's address is:_____.

* All adults or other leaders who have access to the child have been appropriately and reasonably screened by the police or other recognized agencies.

* The medical and health needs of this child will be respected.

This agreement extends to not only the sponsoring organization but also to all agencies, organizations, and people who act on its behalf to deliver any or all of the event. By signing you affirm that you are authorized to act on behalf of your organization and will provide reasonable supervision of this child throughout the event, acting in ways that reflect both personal responsibility and Christian values.

"The form then lists the event name, followed by the child's name, then a place for the youth leader to sign and date the document.

"So far the youth directors I've handed this to have stared at me blankly, uncertain what to do. I'll tell you what to do: Sign it.

"You want to create a bullet-proof environment where you can't be sued, where you're protested. I want you to create a safe environment where you shouldn't be sued because my child is protected.

"We're on the same page. My form is just the other side of the one you've written. So sign it."