I was recently made aware of requirements from Texas A&M that will unfortunately require some additional work from all of you. As you look through the required additions, it may be helpful to understand some terminology Texas A&M uses:
- TAMUG: This is the acronym for Texas A&M University - Galveston.
- Camp: TAMUG uses the term "camp" or "camp program" to refer to any group that stays on their campus involving young people. Every time you see the word "camp" think "Synod Journey."
- Program Director/Sponsor: This title would refer to Catherine, as the overall leader for the Synod Journey.
Forms
Texas A&M requires their own liability waiver for each participant.
I have added it to the list of forms that are required by May 1. I tried to see if we could combine our synod release with the one they require, but they are not able to accept that. Don't be scared by their strong language and all caps! I did show this form to a lawyer who is also an adult leader on the Synod Journey (to make sure you weren't signing your life away to Texas), and he says it's mostly their way of doing due diligence and you'll still be able to go home with us at the end of the event. :)
Please note: Participants under the age of 18 do not need to sign this form, but their parents do.
Child Protection Training
Texas A&M requires every adult leader to complete an online Child Protection Training in order to stay on their campus with minors.
A password is required, and changes periodically. We will send the updated password in these updates as it changes.
The current password is: Gyro$eQual#24
The next scheduled password change will be Monday, March 19.
The class takes about 45 minutes to complete. You need to complete a quiz at the end of each section and score 100% before you move on...but have no fear, you have unlimited attempts to pass! Once complete, the system will send you a link to download a Completion Certificate with a code on it. You need to download and save the Completion Certificate as a PDF, then email it to
SynodJourney@nemnsynod.org by May 1. We will send the code on to Texas A&M.
We fully support any action that protects our young people...and you, their adult leaders! This training offers that. I just wish they had told me about it last January when we started working with them so we could have talked about it at the Fall Training. Sometimes the language in these types of trainings makes you wonder if you can have any sort of relationship with children who are not your own. Let me assure you, the NE MN Synod strongly affirms and encourages relational ministry with young people, walking alongside them and accompanying them on their faith journey. The intent of this training is to create safe space for that to happen. We hold a great responsibility and trust with our young people - we want to make sure they are secure in knowing we are doing everything in our power to share Christ's love with them in ways that protect their physical, emotional and spiritual health!
The language in this training also assumes we are from Texas. While it's true that while in the state we are under their laws, I am confident if any need to report abuse issues arise, they will refer the report to Minnesota.
