Background Checks and Screening

*Any adult who has not registered and successfully completed the background check should never be left alone with girls attending a Girl Scout activity. These adults may, however, be paired with a registered and approved volunteer to lead a small group, as long as enough approved volunteers are present to cover the group’s girl-to-adult ratio as outlined in Volunteer Essentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know that my information is secure? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada does not see or store your Social Security number. More information on how our vendor, Sterling Volunteers, handles security can be found at http://www.sterlingvolunteers.com.

Who needs to submit a background check? toggle arrow

Any adult serving in a supervisory role of girls, handling or overseeing Girl Scout monies, or driving girls not under their own guardianship must successfully complete the criminal background check process. Any adult who takes on the following roles must register as a member of GSUSA as well as complete the online background check.

Any adult who serves as a troop leader and/or regularly assists with the troop, such as at meetings or as a chaperone.
Any adult who is needed to cover the girl-to-adult ratio as noted in Volunteer Essentials
Any adult who transports/drives girls (outside of their own guardianship)
Any adult who serves as a chaperone for day or overnight trips
Any adult who manages Girl Scout monies, including fall product program manager, troop cookie manager, treasurer, and any signers on the bank account.

Authorization: Each applicant shall provide authorization for the Council to obtain a criminal background check as may be required by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681-1681u, or other applicable law, as currently in effect and as it may be amended from time to time. The Council will make available a copy of her/his rights under the FCRA. In order to obtain a criminal background check, applicants must be registered members of Girl Scouts of the USA.

How do I submit a background check? toggle arrow

New members who plan to volunteer will be directed to submit a background check during their online registration process.

Current members who are new to a volunteer role will need to first choose your role in the GSSNV Opportunity Catalog. To choose your volunteer role, please do the following:

1. Log in to your Member Community Profile by clicking on MyGS in the navigation bar at the top of this page (located on the top right side above, or if on a mobile device click on the three horizontal bars and scroll down to click on "MyGS".

2. Once logged in, select Add Role button.

3. Type in your Troop number. Use the format TroopXXXXX. The troop number should be 5 digits with leading zeros. Example: Troop00002

Note: You may need to change the radius under zip code. It defaults to 0 miles from your zip code.

4. Select the correct Volunteer role in your troop in the Search Results. When you select the role it will populate the area-Your selection for… And hit NEXT

5. Update the contact information if necessary.

6. If the role you have selected requires a background check, and you do not currently have an active screening result on file, you will receive instructions on your next step in completing the screening process. If you currently have an active screening on file, you will not need to complete another.

Required Information and Usage toggle arrow

Through the Sterling Volunteers website, the applicant will enter information to be used for their volunteer application and background screening. Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada does not view or retain your driver’s license or social security numbers. Sterling Volunteers will use this information to run your background screening and report on any criminal history. This report is used to determine eligibility for a volunteer position with our organization. Your Social Security number on the criminal history records check shall be used for NO other purpose other than to make the process for conducting a background search more accurate.

Contest of Criminal History toggle arrow

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to obtain a free copy of your consumer report within 60 days of the day when any adverse action is taken against you based on the report. You also have 30 days to report and dispute the results you believe to be incorrect or incomplete to Sterling Volunteers, who is the reporting source. Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada will rely upon the information contained in the criminal history report until a corrected report has been provided. You can contact our screening provider, Sterling Volunteers at http://www.sterlingvolunteers.com to request a copy of your report or if you wish to dispute the accuracy of the information in the report directly with the consumer reporting agency (i.e., the source of the information contained in the report), you should contact the Sterling Volunteers at: Sterling Volunteers Compliance Department 4511 Rockside Road, 4th Floor, Independence, OH 44131 (855) 326-1860 Option 3 http://www.sterlingvolunteers.com.

Previous Background Check or Live Scan Screening toggle arrow

Unfortunately, background checks vary by agency, so GSSNV volunteers must go through our process.

Background Check Cost toggle arrow

Volunteers are not required to pay for the cost of the background check. If you elect to pay for the screening, a refund will not be available. By choosing to pay for your background screening, you are helping to support even more girls in our community.

What information is reported? toggle arrow

The background check includes traffic violations, criminal records, searches of conviction, arrests, court records, inmate records, and sex offender registries.

What can I expect after I submit a background check? toggle arrow

On average, most background checks submitted online take approximately 24 hours to complete; however, it can take longer depending on many factors outside of GSSNV's control. We are not able to respond to requests for “rush” background checks. Please plan ahead, especially during peak times such as Back-to-School and before Girl Scout Product Sales.

If your background check is clear, you will receive a confirmation email from GSUSA. A specially trained GSSNV staff member will contact you if there are concerns about the results of your background check.

Is there a paper or offline option? toggle arrow

If you do not have home access to the Internet, we suggest you use a computer at your local library, borrow computer access from a friend or contact Customer Care at customerservice@girlscoutsnv.org for assistance.

Disqualification

Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada cannot work with an adult who has been convicted of, has pleaded guilty to, has received adjudication for or has pleaded no contest to one of the following crimes:

Automatic Disqualification:

• Any felony offense, regardless of type

• Currently arrested or warrant outstanding

• Misdemeanor crime against a child or dependent adult

• Misdemeanor crime involving child endangerment

• Misdemeanor crime involving use of weapons

• Misdemeanor crime involving violence or battery

• Misdemeanor crime involving theft, robbery, fraud or forgery

• Misdemeanor crime involving arson

• Misdemeanor crime of public indecency

• Misdemeanor DUI, DWI, or possession of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia

Possible Disqualifications:

Other misdemeanors, as this council may determine, including but not limited to traffic and moving violations or excessive violations, shall be reviewed by the council on a case-bycase basis. The decision whether to allow service shall be within the absolute discretion of the council and factors to be considered include, but are not limited to:

• The nature and severity of the criminal conduct

• The position for which the person seeks to volunteer

• The length of time since the criminal conduct occurred

• The number of crimes committed by the prospective volunteer

• The circumstances under which the crime was committed

• The likelihood that the person will commit the crime again

Unresolved Situations:

If there is an open warrant for the arrest of the applicant, or there is a pending charge with no disposition, that application cannot be approved and the volunteer cannot be placed until the situation has been satisfactorily resolved and the criminal background check report updated. If the applicant has already begun to serve in a volunteer capacity, her or his participation must be suspended pending the disposition of the case or resolution of the open warrant.

Disclosure

Volunteers and applicants are required to disclose any pending criminal charges. If charges are pending related to any criminal offense other than minor traffic violations and known to the Council, involvement with the Council as a volunteer will be temporarily suspended pending disposition of the case, service (or continued service) with the Council shall be within the absolute and exclusive discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or her/his designee.

Contest of Criminal History

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you have the right to obtain a free copy of your consumer report within 60 days of the day when any adverse action is taken against you based on the report. You also have 30 days to report and dispute the results you believe to Rev. 01/2020 be incorrect or incomplete to Sterling Volunteers, who is the reporting source. Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada will rely upon the information contained in the criminal history report until a corrected report has been provided. You can contact our screening provider, Sterling Volunteers at www.sterlingvolunteers.com to request a copy of your report or if you wish to dispute the accuracy of the information in the report directly with the consumer reporting agency (i.e., the source of the information contained in the report), you should contact the Sterling Volunteers at:

Sterling Volunteeers Compliance Department

4511 Rockside Road, 4th Floor, Independence, OH 44131

855-326-1820 Option 3