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Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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Hi all--

We rely heavily on volunteers for events, exhibit development, mailings, 
groups of students who come in for a day of service and do landscaping 
or whatever (Cornell University and Ithaca College), etc.  One question 
that has arisen in our museum safety committee is about background checks.

Currently the only screening we do is for folks sentenced by the courts 
to do community service (DWI, or this being a college town, for underage 
drinking, are typical offenses)-- we ask about the offense and obviously 
don't accept people whose offense is not suited for our public facility.

Any thoughts to share would be most appreciated:

1. What is the feeling about doing background checks?
2. We send volunteers out to staff off-site events to which we bring
activities.  Do we have to worry about these people driving to the
events, about their dealing with the public off-site, any other issues?

Thanks--

Kathy Krafft
Director of Exhibits
Sciencenter
Ithaca, NY
607-272-0600 ext 25

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