Are there any guidelines regarding dealing with tenants and renters?
These are guidelines which relate to programs that we would run in our buildings such as church school, youth group or a seniors club. Just offering a program does not make you liable. The Degree of Legal Responsibility for Programs in our Buildings is dependent on the following five levels: 1. opportunity for the employee/volunteer to abuse power 2. extent of power and authority given to the employee/volunteer 3. the known vulnerability of the participant 4. the nature of the employees/volunteers activity. Was the participation volunteer or mandatory? 5. the degree of physical contact between the volunteer/employee and the participant These concepts are also transferable to the “renter environment” and the level of knowledge and support we have for that activity or program. The less we are involved the better. Your parish may consider preparing a package to distribute to groups who use you building.
