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Yankee Clipper Council CORI Policy

Where Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks are part of a general background check for employment, volunteer work or licensing purposes, the following practices and procedures will generally be followed.

  1. CORI checks will only be conducted as authorized by Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB). All applicants will be notified that a CORI check will be conducted. If requested, the applicant will be provided with a copy of the CORI policy.
     

  2. An informed review of a criminal record requires adequate training. Accordingly, all personnel authorized to review CORI in the decision-making process will be thoroughly familiar with the educational materials made available by CHSB.
     

  3. Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant. Rather, determinations of suitability based on CORI checks will be made consistent with this policy and any applicable law or regulations.
     

  4. If a criminal record is received from CHSB, the authorized individual will closely compare the record provided by CHSB with the information on the CORI request form and any other identifying information provided by the applicant, to ensure the record relates to the applicant.
     

  5. If the Yankee Clipper Council-Boy Scouts of America is inclined to make an adverse decision based on the results of the CORI check, the applicant will be notified immediately. The applicant shall be provided with a copy of the criminal record and the organization's CORI policy, advised of the part(s) of the record that make the individual unsuitable for the position or license, and given an opportunity to dispute the accuracy and relevance of the CORI record.
     

  6. Applicants challenging the accuracy of the policy shall be provided a copy of CHSB’s Information Concerning the Process in Correcting a Criminal Record. If the CORI record provided does not exactly match the identification information provided by the applicant, Yankee Clipper Council-Boy Scouts of America will make a determination based on a comparison of the CORI record and documents provided by the applicant. The Yankee Clipper Council-Boy Scouts of America may contact CHSB and request a detailed search consistent with CHSB policy.
     

  7. If the Yankee Clipper Council-Boy Scouts of America reasonably believes the record belongs to the applicant and is accurate, based on the information as provided in section IV on this policy, then the determination of suitability for the position or license will be made. Unless otherwise provided by law, factors considered in determining suitability may include, but not be limited to the following:
     

    1. Relevance of the crime to the position sought;

    2. The nature of the work to be performed;

    3. Time since the conviction;

    4. Age of the candidate at the time of the offense;

    5. Seriousness and specific circumstances of the offense;

    6. The number of offenses;

    7. Whether the applicant has pending charges;

    8. Any relevant evidence of rehabilitation or lack thereof;

    9. Any other relevant information, including information submitted by the candidate or requested by the hiring authority
       

  8. Yankee Clipper Council-Boy Scouts of America will notify the applicant of the decision and the basis of the decision in a timely manner.

Date: October 5, 2005
New Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Requirements and Processing Procedure for All Volunteers

Please be advised that the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has enacted new requirements, effective June 30, 2005, for agencies that have been certified by the Criminal History Systems Board (CHSB) to conduct Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checks. Under the new regulations, agencies must obtain additional information and a photocopy of a government issued photographic identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.). This is intended to ensure an accurate background check is completed by eliminating any guesswork about people with similar names, addresses, and dates of birth.

(1) Yankee Clipper Council CORI Policy  The Yankee Clipper Council, Boy Scouts of America CORI Policy, outlining the practices and procedures that will generally be followed.

(2) CORI Request Form  The CORI Request Form, authorizing the Yankee Clipper Council, Boy Scouts of America to conduct CORI checks as certified by the Criminal History Systems Board.

These documents are also available at the Haverhill and Middleton Scout Service Centers.

Implementation of these new requirements by Massachusetts Boy Scout Councils will be a challenge and it will take some time to achieve full compliance. We are asking for your assistance in helping us, as a premier youth serving agency, to achieve full compliance as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

To facilitate this process, we are asking you to do the following:

A. For New Leaders (Not Presently Registered)

1. Appoint someone in your unit, Committee Chairman is preferred, to serve as the “CORI Authorized Volunteer”. They will be responsible for collecting completed CORI request forms and photocopies of government issued identifications. They will also be responsible for ensuring that a Boy Scouts of America Adult Volunteer Application is completed. This person will not see the CORI record of the individual(s).

2. Have new leaders who register in your unit complete the CORI Request Form and forward it with a photocopy of a government issued photographic identification and completed Boy Scouts of America Volunteer Leader Application to the Haverhill Scout Service Center.

B. For Leaders That Are Presently Registered

1. The Yankee Clipper Council, Boy Scouts of America, will provide, through direct mailings, annual charter renewal kits, electronic mailings, and other means, the CORI request form asking them to complete it and return it with a photocopy of their government issued identification. The Criminal History Systems Board requires that CORI checks be done every 3 years. As the new CORI checks are completed, the Yankee Clipper Council is required to retain this information in a secure location. Please focus on your unit’s recharter process this winter as an opportunity to collect and submit the required CORI information on all registered adult Scouting volunteers.

Your cooperation and understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated. These changes will help keep Scouting a safe program for children. THANK YOU!

John Skelton, Council President
Bob Snider, Council Commissioner
Randy Larson, Council Executive

Downloadable CORI

documents in pdf format