Background Check FAQ

Why is Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands, Inc., conducting background checks?
Mountains to Midlands is committed to providing a safe, quality program experience for girls in the community. The safety of the girls is the most important consideration in the appointment of a volunteer. As a safeguard for the girls in our care, Mountains to Midlands has developed a system for conducting criminal and sex offender background checks on volunteers. During the 2007-08 membership year, we are beginning with all troop leaders and assistant leaders.

What is the Girl Scouts of the United States of America’s (GSUSA) position on background checks of volunteers?
In 2003 GSUSA issued Screening Guidelines for Volunteers and Employees, includingrecommendations that councils require an application, references and criminal background check on employees, troop and group leaders and assistant leaders, camp volunteers, product sale and program consultants, service team members, travel chaperones, Board of Directors members and Committee members.

Which positions listed in GSUSA’s Screening Guidelines are required to complete the background check process in Mountains to Midlands?
In an effort to move toward fulfillment of GSUSA’s recommendations, Mountains to Midlands is beginning with background checks on all troop leaders and assistant leaders for the 2007-08 Girl Scout membership year.  The following year, we plan to conduct background checks on all other volunteers positions listed in GSUSA’s guidelines. Mountains to Midlands also conducts background checks on all employed staff.

What is required and how will the information be used?
The applicant must provide his/her name, date of birth and Social Security number. Mountains to Midlands has selected IntelliCorp, a GSUSA-recommended vendor, to process the background check. IntelliCorp will use the information to report on the criminal and sex offender history of the individual. This report is used to determine eligibility for specific positions with Mountains to Midlands. The applicant’s Social Security number will not be used for anything other than the background check. Mountains to Midlands pays the background check fee negotiated by GSUSA with IntelliCorp.

Who is IntelliCorp?
IntelliCorp is a nationwide provider of background, employment and volunteer screening. Intellicorp is compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and is a subsidiary of ISO, a leading source of information on risk. For more information on IntelliCorp, visit their Web site at www2.Intellicorp.net.
                                                              
What is the Fair Credit Reporting Act?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that regulates the collection, dissemination and use of consumer reports.

What information is included in the background check?
This background check includes criminal records, searches of convictions, court records, inmate records and sex offender registries.

What if Mountains to Midlands receives criminal history or sex offense results that indicate that I have a conviction record?
The decision to exclude or limit an individual’s participation as a volunteer is solely within the discretion of Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands, Inc. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the nature and severity of the crime, the relationship of the conviction to the potential assignment, and the length of time since the criminal conduct occurred. Mountains to Midlands will review each record on a case-by-case basis.

Who decides if I can volunteer or continue to volunteer?
The decision to exclude or limit an individual’s participation as a volunteer is solely within the discretion of Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands, Inc. The Director of Volunteer Services and the Director of Human Resources review each situation on a case-by-case basis. The final determination will be made by the Director of Volunteer Services after a review with the Director of Human Resources.

What if Mountains to Midlands receives criminal history results that I believe are incorrect?
According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have thirty (30) days to report the results you believe to be incorrect to IntelliCorp, who is the reporting source. Mountains to Midlands will rely upon the information contained in the criminal history report until a corrected report has been provided. Please contact IntelliCorp directly for assistance with the correction process.

How will my authorization form and records be stored?
Mountains to Midlands maintains the confidentiality of all criminal background information, including information regarding disqualification decisions. Authorization forms and any conviction reports will be stored in a locked file with access limited to the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Volunteer Services, the Director of Human Resources and the Direct Services Administrative Assistant.

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