For those who did not receive the email, here it is the text of the email in its entirety.Originally Posted by fidot
Okay, finally a response from EAA: it should be in everyone's inboxes by now... let me know if you want me to copypaste it here verbatim..
Lots of Damage Control. They admitted to removing SSN requirement
Most useful part is this: http://www.eaa.org/~/media/files/eaa...V1t6UKWA%3D%3D
Read it all: it looks like it addresses most of the questions raised here, albeit not always satisfactory (IMO).
Hi, everyone:
EAA's youth initiatives speak for themselves. For instance, the Young Eagles program this year will fly its two millionth young person since 1992. It is the largest youth aviation education program ever created and has an incredibly positive public reputation, thanks to the dedication of EAA members.
To that point, I want to pass along a few thoughts about the Youth Protection Program we formally introduced to the general EAA membership in late January. It had been previewed in a broad sense to Young Eagles pilots, chapter coordinators, and field representatives in newsletters last year and at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015. It is a program similar to many now required in numerous national organizations that work with youth, including local sports leagues, church groups, and scout troops.
The introduction of this policy is not an indictment of any EAA member or chapter working with young people. However, any instance or accusation of child abuse within EAA's youth programs would be devastating for all involved. We must keep up with best practices and maintain the high standards EAA has displayed since Paul Poberezny founded the organization in 1953.
I appreciate the feedback we've received since the program's announcement. AmericanChecked, the accredited company EAA selected to assist with the Youth Protection Program, is renowned for its work and its high level of information security. It has also been flexible in working with EAA and our members. Based on your input we worked to remove the requirement that a Social Security Number be a mandatory part of a background check (it's now optional – if you provide it, it provides for higher accuracy and prevents misidentification), although in a limited number of instances additional information may be needed. EAA members have also generated other ideas to make the process better, and some of them are underway while maintaining the highest priority on information security.
To make sure the system works for our members, I personally took the training and completed the background check, as did our Young Eagles chairman, Sean D. Tucker, and EAA staff members who work with youth. We found it fast, simple, and efficient. More than 30 percent of the thousands of Young Eagles pilots and volunteers we contacted have already completed the necessary steps. Thanks to all of you who have already completed the process.
I also want to commend the work of our Young Eagles office. They handled an enormous number of calls and e-mails after the initial announcement and put in some very long days. Their leadership and patience made us proud of their work, instituting a program put in place by EAA's board and senior leadership. The Young Eagles office has also completed a briefing sheet on any effect this will have on the typical Young Eagles rally.
We will continue to keep you updated on any additional developments as they occur. This promises to be a tremendous year for EAA's youth programs, including flying the 2 millionth Young Eagle. Thank you for being a part of it.
Jack Pelton, EAA CEO/Chairman
