Thank you to our staff and volunteers for taking time over the past few weeks to update volunteer lists and complete required screenings. Keeping accurate records and ensuring volunteers are appropriately screened is an important part of our responsibility to keep young people safe.

As we continue this work, here are a few important YL Connect Volunteer updates and reminders, including what’s new as of October 8:

As staff are adding new volunteers to a mission unit in YL Connect, please be aware of these updates to the process:   

• To help reduce duplicate records and preserve current screening statuses, staff will be asked whether the volunteer has previously served in the area or is brand new. Selecting a returning volunteer will display a list of former volunteers to choose from; if the person is not listed, staff can return to add them as a new volunteer. 
• When adding a volunteer with the “College/University Age Leader” role, staff will be asked if the individual is coming from a local Young Life College ministry. If so, staff will search and select the ministry name and enter an estimated graduation date. This automatically creates two ministry affiliations: one as a leader in their assigned ministry and one as a participant in the YL College ministry (which switches from “current” to “former” on their graduation date).

Also don’t forget:

• The former “account renewal by 10/31” step has been eliminated – Staff no longer need to complete the renewal step for every volunteer. Instead, be sure to expire accounts for those who are no longer serving and add your new volunteers.
• Child Safety training as a group – Our Child Safety course can now be completed in a group setting. (Under-18 version is available for group training starting on 9/24.) For more information, check out the Group Course Completion Knowledge Article.
• Early screening renewal options – When users log in, they can proactively renew screenings that are due to expire within the next nine months. In doing so, this will align the renewal dates for those screenings.

Additional Resources:

• Staff, please review these steps to add volunteers to your area list. 
• Screening and Training Overview
• Staff Guide: Volunteer Screenings – Provides visibility to a volunteer’s experience
• Troubleshooting guide – Tips for finding usernames and solving common issues.
• Account recovery link – Volunteers can reset their password quickly using their name, email, and phone number. If matched, they’ll receive a temporary access link by email or text.
• Connections Team for Volunteers and staff
  • 719-381-1929
  • Live Chat during business hours (8-5 MST, Mon.–Fri.)