Policies
The Charis Board of Directors has approved the following new policies, effective immediately.
ACT OF REMEMBRANCE
Because of denominational diversity within our community, Charis has the breaking of bread in a way that is affirming to all believers. We agree on the need for a service which reflects the inclusive nature of Jesus’ invitation to His followers and which joins the members of the community in a shared meal. Therefore, we have the Act of Remembrance to remind us of this invitation. It is necessary for team and weekenders to concentrate on the spirit of unity that the shared meal in Christ offers to all members of the body. All team members are required to share in the Act of Remembrance.
COVENANT OF MARRIAGE POLICY
Charis MN believes that a sexual relationship belongs within the boundaries of a publicly committed marriage between one man and one woman. If any prospective team member is in a sexual relationship outside of the marriage covenant or in a same sex relationship they cannot serve on a Charis team.
MENTORING POLICY
Charis volunteers are not to be actively engaged in one-on-mentoring with offenders during incarceration or after release.
The purpose of Charis of Minnesota is to present God’s reconciling love in Jesus Christ to inmates in correctional institutions and community correctional agencies in and near the State of Minnesota. While mentoring, or any form of after care counseling is important, it does not meet with the mission of Charis.
Charis is a group ministry, not a one-on-one ministry. Working spiritually with offenders is our primary focus and is always conducted within a group setting on Charis weekends and at Ultreyas.
Charis volunteers who wish to pursue a one-on-one mentoring relationship with an offender after release are expected to refrain from actively volunteering with Charis in any institution.
Passed: October 2007
OFFENDER CONTACT POLICY
It is Charis policy to strictly adhere to Federal and State policies regarding contact with offenders prior to and after release.
Federal Institutions:
Prior to Release: Contact is only appropriate while Charis volunteers are inside the chapel. There is to be NO written or telephone communication between a volunteer and an offender, or an offender’s family. If contact is received, it must be reported to the Chaplain at the institution. A volunteer may not be on an offender’s visiting list. A volunteer may not give or receive anything from an offender or their family – including phone numbers. Any attempt on the part of a volunteer to visit, write, communicate, send gifts or money to an offender, offenders' friend, or offenders' family will result in suspension or termination as a volunteer. Insiders requesting any outside information, aftercare assistance or referrals, etc should be referred to the Chaplains.
After Release: No contact is allowed for 2 years after an inmate is released and officially off paper. Should contact occur it should be reported immediately to the Charis Board via the Liaison to determine if this has been a violation. Incidental or accidental contact (seeing someone or running into someone accidentally) should be reported, however, it may not be a violation. Intentional contact via mail, phone, e-mail, and through third parties should be reported immediately and most likely would be a serious violation. Consequences (depending on the specific situation) for Charis volunteers may include loss of volunteer privileges with Charis and volunteer privileges within the prison system. Charis Board Liaisons, Lay leaders, and Board members are required to bring any reports of possible contact violations to the attention of the Chaplain of the Institution for review and possible action.
State Institutions:
Prior to Release: There is to be NO written or telephone communication between a volunteer and an offender, or an offender’s family. If contact is received, it must be reported to the Chaplain at the institution. A volunteer may not be on an offender’s visiting list. A volunteer may not give or receive anything from an offender or their family – including phone numbers. Any attempt on the part of a volunteer to visit, write, communicate, send gifts or money to an offender, offenders' friend, or offenders' family may result in suspension or termination as a volunteer by the prison. Insiders requesting any outside information, aftercare assistance or referrals, etc should be referred to the Chaplains.
After Release: The Charis Board of Directors recognizes the need for newly released offenders to stay connected with the Christian community. The Board further recognizes that the DOC is more lenient than the BOP regarding post release contact.
After release contact is allowed by the State DOC, but it must be professional in nature and not personal. If contact occurs, a volunteer must immediately notify the Chaplain and update the information on the DOC Offender Disclosure Form.
TEAM SELECTION POLICY
In the selection process, every effort should be made to FIRST utilize the people who have sent in an application. Many times this is the only way veterans can be assured that their name will be considered for team membership. The next priority in filling a team should be to look for new members. Only after these two considerations have been filled, should the Lay Director call on previous team members. The Charis Board encourages volunteers to only work one weekend per year, so that all have an equal opportunity to serve.
It is important to have a good mix of people from different churches and different denominations on each of the teams. This is important so that cliques aren't formed, and to insure that denominational practices do not become part of the weekend.
All prospective team members must submit an application form prior to selection.
Try for a mixture of 70% experienced and 30% new team members.
Team Commitment: All team members must be made aware that they are required to attend all team meetings as well as monthly Ultreyas for the year following the weekend. If team members know now that they cannot make this commitment they should not serve.
Team Training: The Day 2 training and Institution training are mandatory training. It is important that we all know the rules are and reminded of them, even if we’ve served many weekends. If a team member misses this training, they must arrange a make-up session.
Team members must have gone through a 3-day Cursillo-type weekend BEFORE being serving on a team. This requirement must be fulfilled before team meetings begin.