Ethics and Integrity Ministry Training
On Jan. 1, 2002, the Diocese of Austin instated new policies on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry for all those who work in the Church, whether in paid or volunteer programs. Anyone — volunteers, paid staff or clergy — who works with minors or vulnerable adults in a parish or diocesan setting is required to attend one of these workshops. You must also complete a Secure Online Application (eAppsDB) so that a criminal record check can be done.
Ministries at SJN requiring Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Training:
Bereavement Ministry
Boy Scout Troop 990
The Care Communities
Christian Medical Missions
Communion to the Sick
Cub Scout Pack 990
EDGE leaders
Engaged Sponsor Couples
Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
Faith Circle for High School Students
Faith in Action Caregivers Southwest
Family Religious Education
Gift Shop volunteers
Godly Play babysitting
Godly Play leaders
Heritage at Gaines Ranch Communion Service volunteers
K for J
Life Teen leaders
Life Teen Choir leaders
Mobile Loaves & Fishes
Parish library volunteers
Querencia Communion Service volunteers
Readers
Religious Education volunteers
Sacristans
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Summit Communion Service volunteers
Touching Hearts, Bridging Hope
University Medical Center Brackenridge, Volunteer Services
Ushers
Vacation Religion School volunteers
Venture Crew 2100
Weekend Collection Counters
The training involves a two-part process — one of which can be completed from the comforts of your own home!
How to get EIM certified
- Complete the diocesan Application for Ministry, which will run a background check. This is best to be completed online, but you can go to the same link to print out a hard copy and mail it to the parish office for us to input into the system, if you wish. Completing the application is a one-time requirement — the system automatically runs a background check every few years with no extra work required on your part.
- Attend a basic workshop. These are constantly being scheduled all around the Austin area (and beyond); schedules can be viewed at www.austindiocese.org. It’s best to call the number listed ahead of time, but it’s also perfectly fine to just show up the day of the workshop if it’s a last minute convenience.
Attending a workshop must be done every three years, so if it’s been more than three years since you last attended a workshop, it’s time to renew your certification! The good news is that the refresher workshop, as they’re called, is half the time that the basic workshop is. You can also find the list of upcoming refresher workshops at www.austindiocese.org, under the header “Upcoming EIM Refresher Workshops.”