Risk Management

OF WESTERN OHIO

VOLUNTEER RESOURCE GUIDE

RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES

RISK MANAGEMENT

Some activities can carry a greater risk than others which create a greater potential for serious injury to the participant. Therefore, it is important that these activities be conducted with companies or organizations that offer such activities in a safe manner. Horseback riding, hayrides, and canoeing are examples of hazardous activities with the potential for serious injury to the participants.

The council will only do business with those organizations that operate within government and Girl Scout safety guidelines and that carry insurance to protect themselves for the legal liability of their operations. Coverage provided by the program provider must be the primary payer in the event of a loss.

CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS

In order to protect the legal and safety interests of girls, volunteers and the council, written agreements, contracts etc. may only be signed by regional directors/designated paid staff members.

Hold Harmless Agreements

If a program provider or other organization requires the signing of a Hold Harmless Agreement, a copy of it will be requested and reviewed by one or more of the following: program services manager, service delivery manager or regional director.

TRANSPORTATION

Leaders are responsible for reviewing this policy with all troop drivers.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is committed to providing a safe and quality program for girls in the community at all times. While Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. provides the principles and standards for health and safety, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is responsible for developing local guidelines and procedures. In addition to Safety-Wise standards, the following policy has been established to encourage the safe operation of vehicles and to address insurance issues when personal and/or leased vehicles are used for Girl Scout activities:

All drivers must have a valid state driver’s license and be covered by auto insurance, in compliance with state law. Leaders should look at, but do not need to copy, the insurance card and driver’s license for all drivers for each troop trip.

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is authorized to conduct a motor vehicle records check at their discretion. By serving as a volunteer driver, each individual agrees that he/she will fully cooperate in providing all information and sign all documents necessary to conduct such a check.

If a driver’s record contains one of the following violations within the past three (3) years, he/she is ineligible to serve as a troop driver:

Driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs
Failure to stop/report an accident
Reckless driving/speeding contest
Driving while impaired
Making a false accident report
Homicide, manslaughter, or assault arising out of the use of a vehicle
Driving while license is suspended/revoked
Careless driving
Attempting to elude a police officer

Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s insurance carrier has provided the following chart to determine whether an individual is eligible to serve as a troop driver. Should a driver’s record fall outside of the acceptable number of accidents or violations, according to the chart below, that individual is required to personally and privately decline any requests to drive for a Girl Scout activity.

# of violations within past 3 years	# of at-fault accidents within past 3 years
# of violations within past 3 years	0	1	2	3
0	yes	yes	no	no
1	yes	yes	no	no
2	yes	no	no	no
3	no	no	no	no
4	no	no	no	no

If in an accident:

Take necessary steps to protect the lives of everyone involved.
Report the accident.
Comply with the instructions of the police and any other emergency personnel.
Do not assume or admit fault. Liability should only be determined after a thorough investigation.
The owner’s vehicle insurance is the primary applicable insurance payer.
The minimum state liability insurance coverage must be in effect and evidence of such provided and carried in the vehicle. NOTE: Minimum requirements may not be adequate under all circumstances; each driver should consult his/her insurance company to be sure that the coverage is sufficient for Girl Scout activities.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio is not responsible for the physical damage to a personal vehicle.
In case of injury or death, please refer to policy on Emergency, Serious Injury or Illness, or Death

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Administrative Office

4930 Cornell Road, Cincinnati, OH 45242-1804

T: 513-489-1025 or 800-537-6241, F: 513-489-1417