by PETER GRACE
AUCKLAND — The 67 parishes in Auckland diocese have been asked to come up with plans to protect parishioners, visitors and people at parish events.
At a seminar on May 14, parish representatives heard about the development of a risk management programme for each parish.
A member of the Diocesan Administration Board, diocesan lawyer Warwick Wright, pointed out that “people interacting create risk. How do you manage that risk?” he asked.
Assisting with the risk management programme, Jo Cogle of Beachhaven parish said at Mass she sometimes saw young people shakily carrying a taper to light candles. And not far away is
a wooden lectern covered with cloth.
“We’ve had no fire yet,” she said, making the point a risk is nevertheless there.
“Risk management is a really simple concept,” she said. “Every single one of you manages risk. It’s a normal part of daily lives.”
We only notice we are managing risk, she said, when we do something like going to a country where people drive on the wrong side of the road.
Ms Cogle said the diocese’s Parish Risk Management Schedule had identified seven categories of activities undertaken by most parishes in a normal year: Worship, activities authorised within parish premises, activities indoors by other hirers, requests for access to parish members, church-approved outdoors activities, fundraising, and administration.
Each of those seven categories presented particular potential risks. For example, worship could present risks of fire, overcrowding, health (someone collapsing), equipment failure (a toppling statue), and so on.
An outdoor activity might present risks like a driver on a restricted licence, someone texting while driving, unsupervised swimming, and others.
Ms Cogle said the diocese wanted parishes to identify risks in the different categories. Their plans didn’t have to be polished or complicated — just identifying the risks.
The diocese would also like parishes to identify people who can train others in risk management. “These people can be our key resources right across the diocese.”
As well as having the risk management process explained, parish representatives received a timetable in four stages for the entire process, from May 16 to the end of November 2015.
Ms Cogle said the timetable was not rigid. It might be found that some dates were too tight and adjustments might have to be made.
To begin with, parishes have until June 16 to become familiar with the schedule, work on risks in the first category, “Worship”, and give feedback if they need training.
Reader Interactions