Volunteer Requirements
Prior to beginning any volunteer work, all volunteers from all ministries must:
1. Agree to a CORI (Background Criminal) check
2. Attend a one-time VIRTUS (Protecting Gods Children) training class
3. Agree to the RCAB Code of Conduct (COC) for Volunteers
4. Submit a Volunteer Information Sheet (VIS).
Please download the VOLUNTEER/CORI PACKET which includes the CORI, COC Acknowledgement Page, and the VIS.
The Volunteer/CORI Packet must be filled out and brought to the Parish Office (22 Boston Street, Middleton, MA) as the CORI requires an in-person witness signature by either a Ministry Lead or a Parish Staff member. A valid government issued photo ID is required.
Please read RCAB CODE OF CONDUCT wording carefully as it has been updated. The acknowledgement page requiring a signature is located inside the VOLUNTEER/CORI Packet.
VIRTUS training information, as well as information on each of the requirements is detailed below:
1.) Agree to a Criminal Background (CORI) Check
CORI checks (a check for Criminal Offender Record Information) are mandated by the Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB). All adult volunteers, 18 and over, must submit a CORI each year volunteering. CORIs expire on June 30 of each year; a new form must be submitted a minimum of (30) days prior to volunteer work to allow for RCAB CORI submission, processing and confirmation.
For more detailed information about CORI checks, please see RCAB Background Screening (https://bostoncatholic.org/background-screening).
2.) Attend a VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" Safe Environment Training Class
All volunteers, 18 and over, must attend a one-time VIRTUS training class prior to volunteering. The VIRTUS training is a seminar on identifying and responding to child sexual abuse. This training provides education on how to recognize indicators of possible abuse or grooming, how to create safe environments for youth, and how to report your concerns. The training is an in person, 3 hour training that is scheduled at various locations throughout the Archdiocese on a regular basis. If you have already attended a VIRTUS class, please email your certificate to [email protected]. The parish encourages a repeated training every 5 years, as content does change.
To find a training session near you, please visit www.VIRTUSonline.org On the left side click "First Time Registrant", select "View List of Sessions", and select " Boston (Archdiocese). This training is live and in-person; check class listing for "Protecting God's Children". Note language offerings, etc.
3.) Agree to the RCAB Code of Conduct
The RCAB Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines that need to be understood and adhered to. All volunteers must read the RCAB Code of Conduct Verbiage (link above) and acknowledge through signature on the COC form inside the Volunteer/CORI Packet.
4.) Submit a Volunteer Information Sheet
Inside the Volunteer/CORI Packet is a simple Volunteer Information Sheet (VIS) which the parish uses to establish and maintain a database of all volunteers and their completed volunteer requirements annually. The form also allows for volunteers under the age of 18 to claim Exemption of CORI and VIRTUS only, until such time they turn 18.
Please note that the parishes of Saint Agnes and Rose of Lima follow these mandated requirements for all volunteers.
If you have questions about these requirements, please contact [email protected].