ETHICS & INTEGRITY in MINISTRY (ADULTS)

If you are planning to volunteer for St. Mary, Our Lady of the Lake in any of our ministries, please read and make sure that you are EIM compliant before you start your ministry.  Also, remember we must now renew our workshops every 3 years.

Our diocesan policy, Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM), is rooted in the Catholic understanding that each individual must be respected and honored. Jesus had a deep, abiding respect for each human being and would not harm or mislead anyone in his or her personal or spiritual life. We, the church, must attempt to do likewise. Our policies cover four areas of possible harm: immoral conduct, exploitation, harassment and abuse.

Anyone, volunteers, paid staff, religious or clergy, involved in a ministry with minors (those under the age of 18) or vulnerable adults (those who are uniquely vulnerable to abuse because of physical or mental disabilities) is required to:

1. Submit a Parish Volunteer Application to the Diocese of Austin
2. Agree to a criminal background check (at end of application process)
3. Attend an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry workshop.

How to Complete the "Ethics & Integrity" Process

1. Complete an online application with the Diocese of Austin. Go to eAppsDB, where  the online application takes 30-60 minutes to complete. This must be completed before entering ministry.  Please Note: the Application for Ministry is submitted only one time. A background check is completed every 3 years from the date of your initial application submission; this is an automated process that does not require any additional action on your part. You may update your application as needed, but it cannot be re-submitted.
2. Attend an Ethics and Integrity in Ministry workshop. Workshops last 3 hours and are held throughout the diocese.  You must renew your workshops every 3 years. You can view a list of upcoming workshops at www.austindiocese.org/eim.  Due to the nature of the material presented NO children will be allowed in the workshop. This workshop must be completed within 60 days of ministry.

How to Check your Workshop Date or make updates to your application:

1. To review your application and find out your latest workshop date, go to the EAppsDB Database.  If you do not remember your login, use the Alternate Login link. 
2. Once logged in to your application, hover your mouse over "Workshop Dates" to see your most recent attendance date. If there is no date, then you must take a full three-hour workshop. If your last worklshop was more than three years ago, then you can either take a full three-hour workshop or a 1.5 hour refresher course. Please note that the 1.5 hour Refresher Workshop is offered only for persons who have attended a previous EIM workshop AND that data is already recorded on your eApps application.
3. Click on the application sections listed to the right to update your personal information. Be sure to include any changes of address, phone number, email address and employment. 
4. If you need to renew your workshop you may attend one of the 1.5 hour Refresher Workshop workshops listed on the Diocese of Austin EIM website.

It is our top priority to keep children safe from all harm while in our care. In Texas, each person is a mandated reporter of abuse or neglect, which means that if you (or our staff) suspect a child is being abused or neglected, you are required by law to report it. The Child Abuse Hotline number is 1-800-252-5400. In addition, if at any time you see something that appears suspicious, makes you uncomfortable, or violates policy, please bring it to the attention of the pastor or directly to the office of the Bishop at 512-476-4888. You may also download, complete, and submit a Confidential Note of Concern Form.

For more infromation on Ethics and Integrity in Ministry, please see the Diocese of Austin web page.