IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE WWC AND VOLUNTEER INFORMATION FORM 3
The recent inclusion of the Volunteer Information Form 3 in the process of protecting our youth
and our youth programs has created some confusion amongst some club members of District
9685.

NSW State Legislation has introduced the Working With Children Check clearance and that has
now been in place for five years and some of us will need to renew our clearance number.
Rotary International requires all Districts to comply with their insurance obligations in order for us
here in Australia to enjoy the insurance cover provided for us in our dues which are paid to our
club through our membership. In recent times the insurance companies and their agents have
developed the Rotary Youth Volunteer Information and Declaration Form, more commonly
known as ‘Form 3’. This is a statement made by Volunteers declaring themselves to be a fit and
proper person, supported by referees, to work with young people, and agree to RI requirements
and guidelines. It is also a screening mechanism to protect them and Rotary from the risk of being
sued as a result of their participation in a Rotary organised Youth Program. The wording has been
challenged a number of times, resulting in amendments now in the current version, V7 March
2018.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SITUATIONS WHERE A FORM 3 AND THE WORKING WITH
CHILDREN CHECK CLEARANCE ARE REQUIRED.
Where an activity allows for “one on one” contact, or the adult person is alone with a young
person for a period of time – (The Definition of a Volunteer is any adult involved with Rotary Youth
Program activities that has direct interactions either supervised or unsupervised with
youths/students.)…. Eg.
• Club and district Youth Exchange officers and committee members, Rotarian Counsellors,
Rotarians and non-Rotarians, their spouses and partners who host youth/students for
activities or outings, or who might drive youth /students to events or functions
• Host parents and other adult residents of the host home, including siblings and other
family members.
• Any Rotarian or person where they have the opportunity of having a ‘one on one’ meeting
with the student.
• Any Rotarian who is engaged in a youth program where the young participants in the
program stay overnight in any location, such as RYPEN, RYLA, YEP or INTERACT, or
other programs that are supported by various clubs.

Originally Rotary International wanted everyone in Rotary to have a ‘Police check’ which is easy in
the USA. Utilising the requirements of the WWC legislation and the Insurance requirements
effectively meet the criteria of Rotary International here in NSW.

 

John Wakefield OAM.
D9685 Youth Protection & Harassment Committee