Bahá'ís of the Heartland States
Bahá'ís, and those who join with them, across these three states are working together alongside their neighbors and networks in a humble posture of learning to transform our inner and outer reality -- to build just, peaceful, and unified neighborhoods and communities. We are part of a global community seeking peace and social transformation.
At a time in the fortunes of humanity when, in the words of the Guardian, “The perversion of human nature, the degradation of human conduct, the corruption and dissolution of human institutions, reveal themselves ... in their worst and most revolting aspects,” and when “the voice of human conscience is stilled,” when “the sense of decency and shame is obscured,” the Bahá’í institutions must be uncompromising and vigilant in their commitment to the protection of the children entrusted to their care, and must not allow either threats or appeals to expediency to divert them from their duty. - Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated January 24, 1993 [To an individual]
Protection of Minors, Clearance Information & Requisite Forms
All volunteers in Bahá'í community building activities involving working with minors are asked to go through a background check process. This is a requirement for all volunteers and is part of the commitment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States to protect the community's most precious treasure - children. To submit a request for a background check, please click link Start Now link:
For Direct Access to Various Elements
of the Heartland RTIB Planning Guide:
A Working Document for the Policy for the Protection of Children, Jr. Youth & Youth.
Click Here.
Bahá'í House of Worship, Wilmette, IL
Direct Links to Individual Forms, Policies, and Reporter Training
Please address all inquiries regarding protection of minors, including forms, to either of these two offices: Clearance@rbcheartland.org (or) secretariat@rbcheartland.org.
Direct Links to Specific Protection of Minors Policies and Forms
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Guiding Principles and Standards Pertaining to the Protection of Minors
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To access the Activity Registration Form involving minors, please fill out this form and submit to the closest Local Spiritual Assembly or the Heartland Regional Training Institute Board
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Incident Reporting Form - General: General Liability Incident Report (for accidental harm or injury). Send completed form to the sponsoring institution.
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Incident Reporting Form - Automobile: Automobile Liability Incident Report for incident involving vehicle). Send completed form to the sponsoring institution.
Mandated Reporter training by State:
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IL: Click Here
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MN: Click Here
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WI: Click Here​
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Once completed, send a copy of the Certificate of Completion to: Clearance@rbcheartland.org. Note: If the email link does not work correctly on your PC or Mac, copy and paste this email address into your email app and send the certificate copy that way.
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"Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community do or fail to do with respect to children. They are a trust no community can neglect with impunity. An all-embracing love of children, the manner of treating them, the quality of the attention shown them, the spirit of adult behaviour toward them—these are all among the vital aspects of the requisite attitude." - Family Life, House of Justice, March 2008