Charis Prison
Ministry 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 conducts the breaking of bread in a way that is affirming to all believers and seekers. Charis agrees 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, the Act of Remembrance is 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 those participating. All team members are required to share in the Act of Remembrance. Because the Act of Remembrance is non-sacramental in nature, it may be conducted by a Spiritual Director or a lay person.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors November 15, 2012
COVENANT OF CHRISTIAN CONDUCT
Using the Holy Scriptures as our guide, we, as prospective team members, will embrace and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and use them as a model in all that we do and say in our daily lives and on a Charis weekend.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors December 9, 2017
MENTORING POLICY
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 Reunions.
Charis volunteers who wish to pursue a one-on-one mentoring relationship with an offender after release may not do so in the name of Charis.
If a Charis volunteer should decide to mentor someone who has been released from prison, they should check with that prison to insure compliance with the institution inmate contact policies.
Approved: October 2007
Amended and Approved by Charis Board of Directors March 19, 2009
OFFENDER CONTACT POLICY
It is Charis policy to strictly adhere to Federal and State policies regarding contact with offenders prior to and after release.
The following is a Summary of Current DOC and BOP Policies and intended for clarification purposes only:
Federal Institutions:
Prior to Release: Contact between volunteers and offenders are only appropriate at the prison within approved areas. 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 1 year after an inmate is released and officially off paper. Should contact occur it should be reported immediately to the Charis board liaison assigned to the respective institution 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.
Federal 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.
Amended and Approved by Charis Board of Directors March 19, 2009
TEAM SELECTION POLICY
The Lay Director of the weekend should make every effort to FIRST utilize the people who have submitted an application. The next priority in filling a team should be to seek new members. Only after these two actions, should the Lay Director call on previous team members who have not filled out an application. The Charis Board encourages volunteers to work only 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 team members must have submitted an application form prior to the start of the weekend.
During the selection process a mixture of 70% experienced and 30% new team members is desired.
Team Commitment: All team members must be made aware that they are required to attend all team meetings, as well as show continued support to the insiders by attending Charis monthly Ultreyas/reunions following the weekend. If team members know that they cannot make this commitment, they should not serve.
Team Training: The Day 2 training and Institution training are mandatory. It is important that all know the rules and are reminded of them, even those who have served many weekends. If a team member misses this training, the Lay Director must insure that person receives the necessary information.
Team members should have attended a 3-day Cursillo-type weekend or 1-day Charis retreat before serving on a team.
All first-time Charis volunteers should be assigned an experienced team member for guidance.
Amended and Approved by the Charis Board of Directors March 21, 2024
COED TEAM POLICY
Charis of MN policy with regard to the use of coed teams (participation by men and women together on Charis teams) is institution specific. Many key factors determine the specifics of the coed nature of teams and it is the general policy of Charis to allow both men and women participation as well as leadership roles when prudent and possible. Some factors for considering team coed specifics may include the following:
- Input or policy requirements from the institution chaplains
- History and success of our serving at the institution
- Input from the liaison at the institution.
- Issues that may arise making adjustments necessary.
Any final determination shall be reviewed and approved by the Charis Board with regard to entering institutions for the first time and with regard to any changes in prior practices at the institution.
Approved by Charis Board April 2010
DONATIONS POLICY
Charis of Minnesota Incorporated (“Charis”) is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Cash and non-cash gifts may be accepted by Charis. However, non-cash gifts thought to have value exceeding $250.00 may be received only after acceptance is approved by resolution of the Board of Directors of Charis.
Upon request, non-cash gifts, including gifts of stock, land, furniture, books, art, etc., will be acknowledged by letter from the Charis treasurer after approved acceptance, indicating the date accepted and a brief description (a legal description where appropriate) of the gift.
Receipt of cash payments (“Joy of Giving” — JOG) from Charis volunteers that are members of a weekend team may be acknowledged by the treasurer for that team. Those acknowledgements will be in the form approved by the Board of Directors of Charis.
All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Charis does not assume responsibility for determining the value or deductibility of any gifts for tax purposes. The giver should obtain such information from knowledgeable experts, if tax deductibility is asserted.
Provision of food or food ingredients to be consumed by Charis volunteers will not be considered a gift for which a letter of acknowledgment will be provided. Expenses for snacks or meals purchased by individuals for consumption by Charis volunteers will not be paid or reimbursed from Charis funds. This limitation does not apply to reimbursement for meals provided by a prison for Charis volunteers serving on a Charis weekend at that prison.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors May 20, 2013
HOTEL COST POLICY
Effective immediately, Charis team members will be responsible for paying for their own lodging expenses. Charis will no longer accept a single check payable to Charis for both JOG and hotel lodging.
If a team member is unable to pay for their accommodations, every effort should be made by the liaison or lay director to find them free accommodations or if unable to pay, make the need known, asking other team members to donate to cover those expenses. It is hoped that team members will not be turned away from a team due to inability to pay for their accommodations. Lay Directors and liaisons are urged to use discretion when addressing this concern.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors June 2016
MEETNG ROOM & EVENT COSTS POLICY
This policy will apply to obtaining facilities for Charis team-training meetings, Charis Board of Directors meetings, and Charis community events. This policy does not apply to weekend housing or services for team members. Facilities reserved for Charis meetings or events may be procured at a negotiated price, if payment for use of the facility is required by the provider. Costs in excess of $100 per meeting or event must be approved by the Charis Executive Committee before payment. Costs of $100 or less per meeting or event may be submitted to the Board Treasurer for payment.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors April 16, 2014
MUSIC POLICY
To ensure that the highest ethical standards are followed, all music selected for use at any Charis function must come from the following sources only:
- A songbook that has been purchased by Charis for use at institutions and/or team meetings.
- Songs that are covered by the Charis CCLI licensing agreement and placed on overheads.
- Songs in the public domain
- Songbooks developed at each institution with usage reported by the institution.
Use of all songs used under the CCLi licensing agreement must be reported to the Charis Board of Directors.
Approved by Charis Board of Directors July 2014