School is Back in Session
September 9, 2022
As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
A well-designed transportation and supervision plan demonstrates your school’s commitment to safety, builds trust, and protects your students on the move. These steps will help you diminish the risks to improve safety and reduce liability:
- Require a volunteer driver form, provide contact info, consider non-owned vehicle insurance, discourage caravan travel, prohibit distracted driving, and ensure age-appropriate car seats and seat belts.
- Screen drivers before they get behind the wheel to ensure that those in your care are transported safely.
Field trips offer hands-on opportunities for students to explore topics outside of the classroom and should be addressed by your transportation safety plan. Some modes of transportation, such as 15-passenger vans, have poor safety records. Their high centers of gravity make them more likely to roll over in the event of an accident. Consider other options, like school buses, chartered buses, small buses, vans, or private vehicles for transporting students to and from your field trip location.
Another key piece of your school’s safety plan should be proper supervision for children. Good supervision not only helps deter abuse but helps avoid false allegations of abuse. Your school’s procedures need to be explicit: No adult volunteer should be alone with a child or youth. This includes in a vehicle, at a camp, on a mission trip, or during an overnight event. Consider using the two-adult rule or the rule of three.
- The Two-Adult Rule – This rule creates accountability that helps prevent and deter misconduct. It also helps reduce the ability for anyone to make a false accusation. The rule requires that two screened and unrelated adult volunteers be present in every vehicle involving children and youth.
- The Rule of Three – For the rule of three, it’s about accountability—the age and capacity of the children being supervised should be taken into consideration. When ministries cannot support the Two-Adult Rule, supervision policies and procedures should require at least three individuals to be present, one of whom is a screened adult. To maintain an environment of accountability, the Rule of Three should be reserved for settings where children are at least five years old.
Brotherhood Mutual has insurance and services for K-12 Christian schools designed to help ministries like yours thrive in the school environment. You can customize your insurance property package and general liability coverage with additional protections that meet your school’s individual needs. We’re committed to serving you by offering coverages designed to protect your Christian school. Contact your American Church Group agent to ensure you have all the necessary coverage for your school.
- September 7, 2023
- Increasing Donor Trust
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The ability to inspire others to give is a blessing. Because fundraising can be both exciting and challenging, there are some important details to consider that can help your donors, and organization, have a smooth and successful experience.
- July 31, 2023
- What to Know About Loaning Your Ministry Vehicle
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Has your church or school ever been asked to loan or rent one of your vans or buses to another ministry? Rather than running the risk of loaning or renting your own vehicle, you could consider aiding them financially in renting or chartering a vehicle from a rental agency.
- January 26, 2023
- Responding to Mission Issues
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Having insurance coverage specifically designed for long-term international missions helps protect your people and organization from the financial impact caused by injuries, lawsuits, property damage, and more.
- January 26, 2023
- Brotherhood Mutual Foundation Kingdom Advancing Grant
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For the second year, the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation is offering the Kingdom Advancing Grant to innovative Christian church programs that are transforming local communities through ministry.
- January 9, 2023
- Better Achieve Your Mission in 2023
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- November 10, 2022
- Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
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With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
- September 9, 2022
- School is Back in Session
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As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
- July 15, 2022
- Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change
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Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
- May 12, 2022
- Five Common Tricks of Cyber Scammers
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Cyber security is increasingly crucial in our technologically advanced world. Scammers use many schemes when attempting to steal your data, but you can outsmart them by understanding their methods.
- March 1, 2022
- Resolving Conflict in the Church
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When conflict occurs in the church, it can threaten the unity of a congregation. Experts say the only way to heal conflict is to acknowledge and address it. But how?
- January 25, 2022
- Keep Your Ministry's Money Safe
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Theft isn’t just an issue for banks and large companies. Sometimes the kind and caring nature of your ministry is exactly what makes you a target. Organizational Optional Theft Coverage helps to assure that, if a thief takes advantage of your institution, what’s lost can be restored.
- July 22, 2021
- Thousands in Relief Funding Available to Ministries Through the Employee Retention Credit
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Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.
- June 17, 2021
- Prepare Your Ministry for Another Active Hurricane Season
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The Atlantic hurricane season officially started June 1, and weather experts say this season is likely to produce above-normal activity. Take action to prepare your ministry to withstand a hurricane now, so you’re not scrambling when a watch or warning is posted.
- May 26, 2021
- Online Tithing: Balance Convenience with Security
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As finances move more and more into the digital world, online giving has emerged as a convenient option for accepting donations. Just as ministries protect the tithes they receive in the offering plate on Sunday mornings, they should take care to protect online gifts and donors.
- May 10, 2021
- Hail Damage: Prepare and Lessen Potential Impact
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While we can’t change the weather in Texas, there are things your ministry can do to help lessen the damage hail leaves behind. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company offers some things to consider.
- March 16, 2021
- Prepare for Severe Spring Storms Now
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When severe storms strike, they can produce high winds and tornadoes. Damaging winds can wreak havoc on your ministry’s property and to buildings. A high wind event can crash debris through your windows, strip your siding, down trees on your parking lot, peel shingles off your roof, and fling back the flashing.
- February 25, 2021
- Catalytic Converter Theft on the Rise: Protect Ministry Vehicles
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Thieves are taking advantage of soaring precious metal prices. Take steps to protect your ministry’s vehicles and property.
- February 5, 2021
- Avoid Frozen Pipes as Temperatures Plummet
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As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.
- November 23, 2020
- COVID-19 and the Christmas Season
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Preparing for this Christmas season may require additional creativity, due to the uncertainty of what COVID-19 may bring in our local community.
- October 28, 2020
- Guidance for Ministries About Boy Scouts' Bankruptcy
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A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.