#acl All:read Link to CouncilAgenda20181024 > CouncilMinutes20181024 == Correspondence regarding Home Companions == Reply from Synod: {{{ From: David Herbert Subject: RE: Cover query - Volunteers visiting parishioners Date: 12 October 2018 at 4:18:26 PM AEDT To: 'Janice Clear' Cc: Jacqueline Peters Jan Thanks for speaking with me just now regarding the companionship activity your church is undertaking. It is a lovely thing to do for someone! As discussed, considering that the activity has been discussed with and approved by the church council, it’s ok to continue. Regards David Herbert Associate Director Risk Management & Insurance Services 130 Little Collins St Melbourne 3000 t (03) 9251 5429 | m 0410 765 092 e David.Herbert@victas.uca.org.au w victas.uca.org.au }}} in response to this query and clarification fron Jan. {{{ From: Janice Clear [mailto:bclear@bigpond.net.au] Sent: Thursday, 11 October 2018 9:13 PM To: David Herbert Subject: Re: Cover query - Volunteers visiting parishioners Hi David, Thanks for your emails. The people doing the caring are volunteers from within the congregation-they are not from any committees. No money is changing hands. It is volunteer service. Regards Jan Clear. ... From: Janice Clear [mailto:bclear@bigpond.net.au] Sent: Thursday, 20 September 2018 9:28 PM To: Jacqueline Peters Subject: Re: Cover query - Volunteers visiting parishioners Hi Jacqueline, Lovely to speak to you this afternoon. As promised this is a summary of what has happened. A couple of weeks ago, we were asked to provide companionship for an elderly member of the congregation whilst her husband did shopping, banking, appointments etc. ( He is also a member of the congregation.) This would have been twice a week for 2 to 2.5 hours for as long as it was needed. She is 90 and he is 87. As I am convenor of our Inclusive Community missional group, I offered to speak to ladies with our congregation who may be able to help us with this request. When the roster was drawn up, some issues were raised including what would the person do in an emergency and did John have adequate insurance to cover this situation. I was told that there was insurance in place to cover our staff members who are visiting people but the church doesn’t cover volunteers with insurance for something like this, It was suggested that volunteers would need people checks. Other issues were that we would need to get CC approval for every case as it came up. It seemed that it would be ok if the people went as friends, to do the same task. I have known these people who volunteered to help in this situation for many, many years. Most of them were elders in the old system and have held positions of responsibility. I am sure that they will be sensible and cope with this situation. After these issues were raised, I rang the husband and said that I would need to speak to your department and Sue Clarkson and I would get back to him after that and discuss where we stand. In the meantime, he has had an aged care assessment done for his wife. I guess my question is where do we go from here and is there a way we could offer help in a safe manner, in the future. I hope that this is sufficient information for you. Please ring or email me if you need to know more. Looking forward to talking to you soon. Regards Jan Clear. }}}