Volunteer Screening / Criminal Record Check / Vulnerable Sector Check
ALL REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS:
It is a mandatory requirement that all registered volunteers of APRA undergo volunteer screening prior to participating in any Ringette Ontario or APRA sanctioned ringette activities. This includes:
- Team Staff on ALL APRA Teams (including 18+ Teams, and On-Ice Assistants)
- APRA Board of Directors and Committee Members
Ringette Ontario's Screening Policy and the procedures implemented by APRA can be found HERE.
During registration you will be required to upload the following completed documents:
1) Ringette Ontario Screening Disclosure Form - click here to download
2) APRA Annual Offence Declaration Form - click here to download
3) APRA Conflict of Interest Declaration Form (for APRA Board and Committee Members only) - click here to download
*** You will not be able to submit your registration without submitting these completed forms.
AND,
For volunteers 18 years of age and older, you will need to provide APRA with one of the following Background Checks:
A) All Team Staff of 18+ teams, and the APRA Board of Directors require a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
B) All NEW volunteers who are Team Staff of U19 and younger teams require a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)
C) All RETURNING volunteers who are Team Staff of U19 and younger teams require a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (CRJMC)
NOTES:
For a *returning volunteer* to be eligible to submit a CRJMC, the volunteer:
- Must have already provided APRA with a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) within the last 10 years, AND,
- Must have volunteered continuously with APRA during that time (i.e. undergone volunteer screening each year).
Background checks or similar attestations from third parties other than local police (e.g. school boards) will not be accepted.
*** You will be unable to participate in any Ringette activities until you have 1) registered, and, 2) provided the association with the required documents and a current CRJMC or VSC.
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR CRJMC/VSC -
The Association will accept CRJMCs/VSCs for the current season provided it has been less than 1 year from the date of issue. Additionally, after a period of 3 years all volunteers will need to complete a new CRJMC/VSC.
1) If you have already provided APRA with a CRJMC/VSC within the last 3 years, please contact the APRA Registrar to verify.
2) If you have a current CRJMC/VSC dated less than one year from your registration date, you can upload the document during registration.
3) If you require a new CRJMC/VSC, you can complete the registration process and email your new document to the APRA Registrar
HOW TO APPLY FOR YOUR CRJMC/VSC-
1) SUBMIT AN INTRODUCTORY LETTER FROM APRA WHEN REQUESTING ONE OF THE BACKGROUND CHECKS (see attached)
A personalized introductory letter from APRA will allow you to obtain the background check as a registered volunteer, and therefore, at a reduced cost ($20). Please download and complete the appropriate letter to submit when applying for your background (include your full legal name):
APRA Letter for Background Check - Volunteers for 18 plus groups
APRA Letter for Background Check - New Volunteer for 18 and younger groups
APRA Letter for Background Check - Returning* Volunteer for 18 and younger groups
*NOTE: for a returning volunteer to be eligible to submit a CRJMC, the volunteer:
- Must have already provided APRA with a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) within the last 10 years, AND,
- Must have volunteered continuously with APRA during that time (i.e. undergone volunteer screening each year).
2) FOR RESIDENTS OF DURHAM REGION:
At this time, Durham Region Police Services are only processing CRCs online at www.drps.ca > online services > online police record checks (mobile users will need to select Go To Full Website at the bottom of the page to access this menu).
- You will begin the online application HERE.
- Online payment is required and all completed record checks will be sent to you via email from evidence.com (be sure to add this to your address book and check your junk folder for incoming messages).
- The average processing time is 10 business days. If you have not received a response after 3 weeks, send an email along with your order # (found on the receipt that was emailed to you) to policerecordcheck@drps.ca
- Forward your completed CRJMC/VSC to the APRA Registrar for retention by the association.
- Questions? Email - policerecordcheck@drps.ca or call 1-888-579-1520, extension 4105 or 4104 (automated messages).
3) FOR RESIDENTS OF TORONTO:
To process your background check:
- You will need to process your CRJMC/VSC with Toronto Police Services.
- If required, request a copy of the TPS Vulnerable Sector Screening waiver from the APRA Coaching Coordinator.
- Print off and complete the form on legal size paper. Make sure you list Ajax Pickering Ringette Association under the Agency Name section, and provide original signatures (no photo copies).
- Enclose certified cheque, money order or bank draft for $20. They do not accept credit cards. The easiest thing to do is to go to a Canada Post outlet and purchase a money order (many local Shoppers Drug Mart locations have an outlet).
- Mail to the address listed at the top of the waiver.
- You should receive a response within 2 weeks via mail.
- There is an expedited service for $65 - you would need to go in person to 40 College St. and would receive a response within 72 hours (via mail)
- If there is a birthday or name match on the RCMP database, fingerprints are required for further screening (not uncommon that this may be required). You would then require an introductory letter from the association introducing you as a member that wishes to volunteer with APRA, and take this with you when you go to 40 College Street to process.
More information on the TPS Vulnerable Sector Screening Program, CLICK HERE.
