Confidentiality Policy
All Hand of Refuge Ministry
volunteers must be very discreet about
information given to them.

No private personal information about
anyone may be disclosed.
Even accidental disclosure of private personal
information is a violation of confidence.

Good judgment and respect of the
rights of those encountered as part of
Hand of Refuge Ministry is required.

Hand of Refuge Ministry volunteers  may acquire
substantial information about those to whom they minister
and about others involved in some aspect of the ministry.
Some of that information is private personal information.

Hand of Refuge Ministry volunteers should not expect to
be given information about those to whom they minister
that is unnecessary for the ministry, and they should not
share private personal information with anyone except
those who have responsibilities relative to the person.  All
who acquire private personal information are required to
treat it in a confidential and professional manner.

Private personal information includes such things as a
person’s criminal record, personal problems such as drug
addiction or alcoholism, family difficulties, etc.

Discussion of such should not take place with friends or
within the church congregation. If one’s involvement in
Hand of Refuge Ministry is discussed with others, it should
be done in such a way that the identities of those
ministered to is protected (no use of names and no
description in ways that the individual can be identified by
others). The only exception to this is for information that
the person involved has made public (such as a person
who tells about his or her  life in talks before churches and
other groups), and even then it is wise to be discreet
about sharing such information.

If a Hand of Refuge Ministry volunteer has
questions about whether or
not something is appropriate for disclosure,
that information should not be
disclosed. Always get guidance about questionable
items before disclosing them.
You don’t want to inadvertently create problems.

Violation of confidentiality can be cause for
termination of a volunteer's involvement in Hand of
Refuge Ministry.
The
heavens
declare the
glory of
God;
the skies
proclaim
the work
of his
hands.

PSALM 19:1