LBFA Membership Safety

Membership Eligibility
& Screening.

LBFA screening standards are designed to protect members, families, children, volunteers and the public while keeping ordinary membership screening clear and proportionate.

Read Eligibility Rules Member Handbook
Screening Framework

Clear Rules.
Different Levels of Screening.

LBFA does not require the same level of screening for every role. General membership, leadership and direct activity roles are treated differently.

Every Individual Member

Registry Screening

Every individual LBFA member is subject to applicable governmental sex-offender registry screening.

Ordinary Membership

No Blanket Criminal Check

Full criminal-history background checks are not a standard requirement for ordinary members solely because they join LBFA.

Designated Roles

Additional Screening

Broader background screening may be required for Board, leadership, youth-facing or direct activity roles.

Basic Eligibility

Membership Starts
With Eligibility.

Applicants and members must satisfy LBFA eligibility requirements and provide truthful information when requested.

1. Accurate Information

Applicants and members must provide materially accurate identifying, contact and membership information.

Knowingly false or intentionally concealed information may result in denial, suspension or termination.

2. Applicable Membership Requirements

Members must meet any age, category, professional, payment or role-specific requirements associated with the membership or activity involved.

3. Policy Compliance

Membership is conditioned on compliance with the Member Handbook, Code of Conduct and other duly adopted LBFA policies.

4. Safety Eligibility

Certain verified safety-related records may make an individual ineligible for membership or for designated roles within LBFA.

5. Ongoing Eligibility

Eligibility is not limited to the date of application. Members must remain eligible throughout the membership term.

Automatic Membership Disqualification

This Standard
Cannot Be Waived.

LBFA may conduct programs involving children and families. Certain verified records therefore create automatic membership ineligibility.

Registry Status

Sex-Offender Registry

An individual who is currently required to register on an official governmental sex-offender registry is not eligible for LBFA membership.

Non-Waivable Rule

No Board Exception

Once a disqualifying record is verified and matched to the correct individual, the Board may not vote to waive or override that automatic disqualification.

Role-Specific Screening

Greater Responsibility
Can Require More Screening.

Broader criminal-history or identity screening is reserved for positions where the role, authority or direct contact creates a legitimate safety or organizational need.

Board & Leadership

Individuals serving in designated governance or leadership roles may be required to complete broader screening.

  • Board members
  • Designated officers
  • Chapter leadership where required
  • Other positions of substantial authority

Youth-Facing Roles

Individuals directly working with, supervising or responsible for minors may be subject to additional screening before participation.

  • Youth program volunteers
  • Direct youth supervision
  • Designated youth activity personnel
  • Other child-facing roles identified by LBFA

Direct Activity Roles

Additional screening may also apply to roles involving direct operational responsibility, access or trust.

  • Activity supervisors
  • Designated event personnel
  • Roles with sensitive access
  • Other positions approved by LBFA governance
Verification Standards

Records.
Not Rumors.

Eligibility decisions should be based on reliable records and identity verification, not social-media accusations, gossip or unsupported claims.

Use Official or Reliable Sources Government registries, court records, authorized screening services and other reliable official sources should be used when verification is required.
Confirm Identity A record must be reasonably matched to the correct individual before an adverse eligibility decision is made.
Correct Errors If a member identifies a reasonable identity mismatch, clerical error or inaccurate record, LBFA should review the issue before final action when safety permits.
Protect Sensitive Information Screening information should be limited to people with a legitimate organizational need to know.
Screening Process

Verify First.
Decide Second.

Specific screening methods may evolve, but LBFA's process should remain documented, consistent and privacy-conscious.

1

Identify

Confirm the individual and the level of screening required.

2

Search

Review the appropriate official or authorized record sources.

3

Match

Reasonably confirm that any record belongs to the applicant or member.

4

Review

Determine whether the verified information affects eligibility or role placement.

5

Document

Record the decision appropriately while limiting unnecessary sensitive details.

Privacy & Fairness

Safety Without
Unnecessary Exposure.

Confidential Handling

Screening information should be handled as confidential organizational information and shared only as reasonably necessary for eligibility, safety, legal or governance purposes.

No Public Shaming

LBFA's screening process is not intended to create public accusation lists or social-media disputes. Membership decisions should be handled through official Alliance procedures.

Member Safety

Protect the People.
Protect the Alliance.

LBFA screening standards are intended to balance accessibility for ordinary members with stronger safeguards for leadership, youth-facing and direct activity roles.

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