Vehicle Management is Safety Management

Ministry-owned and -operated vehicles may be one of the greatest liability threats ministry leaders must manage. The aftermath of an accident involving ministry participants, especially children, is something no church or ministry wants to experience.
Guidelines for Vehicles
Many accidents can be prevented by adhering to a few sensible guidelines that can help ministry leaders manage their organization’s vehicle usage.
- Don’t purchase or keep vehicles unless you can afford to maintain them in top mechanical condition.
- Assign a reliable individual or team to oversee vehicle maintenance and vehicle operation policies.
- Develop a written maintenance program for each vehicle; document all maintenance work completed.
- Develop and enforce a written vehicle operation policy addressing issues such as driver eligibility, vehicle usage rules, and vehicle storage and security.
- Equip your vehicles with every warning and safety device permitted by state codes.
- Make sure each passenger has a working seat belt.
Guidelines for Drivers
Not only should your vehicles be in tip-top condition, but drivers also should be selected with the upmost care. They should be well-qualified and have the necessary licenses and experience to ensure passenger safety.
- Ensure that drivers comply with state laws, obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL) when required.
- Obtain driving records on all drivers before permitting them to operate a vehicle.
- Never allow young, inexperienced drivers to operate your vehicles.
- Train drivers to operate large vehicles, perform pre-trip inspections, and use emergency safety equipment.
- For long trips, have sufficient drivers to ensure that no one drives for more than a two-hour stretch.
- If you’re pulling a trailer, make sure the driver is qualified and experienced for the task.
Guidelines for Supervision
- Provide one of more adult supervisors when transporting children.
- Develop and enforce a code of conduct for passengers. Don’t allow them to move about while a vehicle is in motion.
- Teach drivers how to manage “critical moments” when children are entering or leaving a vehicle. Young children should always be escorted across traffic when entering or leaving a vehicle.
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There are a lot of hats worn in any growing ministry – and we want to serve every one of them.
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Evaluate Your Ministry's Fire Safety Plan
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With the holiday season right around the corner, it’s wise for ministries to evaluate their fire safety plan. Whether your ministry is hosting a holiday party, prepping treats for charity, or running a community kitchen, make sure you’re well-prepared with these tips.
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Holiday Season Safety & Security: 3 Things to Plan Before Christmas
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The holidays present unique opportunities and challenges for churches that aren’t typical during other times of the year. A lot of the ministries that I work with are seeing steady increases in attendance and are praying for a significant jump in Christmas service participation this year.
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October 26, 2022
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October 2022 Blog: What is a 403(B)(9) Retirement Plan?
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In this article, Brad Brown from Plan A Wealth Management gives a wonderful insight into why ministries might consider choosing a 403(B)(9) retirement plan.
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September 9, 2022
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School is Back in Session
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As school is back in session, it’s important to make sure your school is equipped with the correct safety procedures. Thinking about your school’s physical security as a series of layers can help you find gaps in your plan. Transportation and volunteers are just two important aspects of your school safety plan to think about.
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Uvalde School Shooting Causes Ministries to Question Their Preparedness
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If there is one thing I have learned over the last decade while working private security and as a sworn peace officer, the more critical the incident, the more likely change will come out of it. Much like a pendulum, an incident occurs, and everyone cries for change.
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We are so excited to welcome the newest member of the American Church Group of Colorado team, Lyndsie Glowinski.
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August 17, 2022
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Does Your Ministry Need Cyber Insurance?
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Churches are increasingly becoming targets for cyber criminals. The most common attack is by sending “phishing” emails where the perpetrator poses as someone familiar to the ministry staff (like a senior pastor, deacon, elder, or someone trustworthy) and requests some sort of response.
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July 15, 2022
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Shepherding Ministries in a Time of Change
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Anyone who turns on the news, flips through a magazine, or browses the web can see that American society and culture are experiencing rapid transitions. Some ministries have valid concerns that issues surrounding societal shifts may expose them to negative publicity, governmental scrutiny, or litigation.
The questions become: when and how can ministries operate within their deeply held religious beliefs when they may conflict with others’ rights?
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