GSNEO follows Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)
automatic disqualification guidelines. See ODJFS guidelines for a non-exhaustive list of
offenses that may disqualify a prospective volunteer. Individuals with
a Federal or State felony conviction within the past 10 years are not
eligible to volunteer. Certain crimes (e.g. endangering children) lead
to automatic disqualification during the person's lifetime.
Additionally, if the applicant has been convicted of 3 or more
misdemeanor offenses with at least one occurring in the last 5 years,
if they knowingly provide false information during the CBC screening
process, or if they have an outstanding warrant, they are ineligible
to volunteer.
Registered sex offenders are not eligible for membership in GSUSA
and may not participate in any capacity, including as a volunteer,
with Girl Scout programs. Volunteers may not knowingly hold activities
where a registered sex offender is present, and registered sex
offenders may not knowingly be present where Girl Scout activities are
being held. No registered sex offender is permitted to attend Girl
Scout meetings, events, or activities whether in-person or in a
virtual space. Holding Girl Scout activities at the home/dwelling of a
registered sex offender, whether indoors or outdoors, is strictly
prohibited. Registered sex offenders are not permitted on Girl Scout properties.
GSNEO volunteers residing with registered sex offenders are eligible
to volunteer with the following restriction:
- Girl Scout meetings and activities, including product program
pick-up may not be held at their home.
The Primary Troop Volunteers and Service Unit Director will be
notified if GSNEO becomes aware that the parent/caregiver of a girl
belonging to the troop is a registered sex offender. Volunteers should
make every effort to ensure the girl is not treated differently and
should not call unnecessary attention to the matter.
For all other conduct and offenses, the council will review the
applicant’s situation on a case-by-case basis. The decision whether to
allow volunteer participation will be within the discretion of the council.
The factors used to determine disqualification of a person from
volunteer participation is as follows: the age of the person at the
time of the offense, nature and seriousness of the offense, time
elapsed since discharge from imprisonment/probation/parole, whether
the person is a repeat offender, and the position for which the person
seeks to volunteer.
GSNEO reserves the right to disqualify or restrict the duties of any
person who has:
- been arrested;
- been convicted of certain crimes;
- pending charges against them;
- been placed on probation
or deferred adjudication for certain crimes, and/or who has
committed acts that are considered contrary to the community
standards of justice, honesty, or good morals;
- pled guilty
or no contest to certain crimes.