How to: Add your references

Summary

Safe Pathways collects two references as part of your church’s screening process. If you enter an email address, Safe Pathways can automatically send a reference request email. If you enter a phone number, church staff will need to follow up manually.

Who this is for

• Volunteer

What you’ll need

Make sure you have:

• A Volunteer account in Safe Pathways

• Access to the Home page in your Volunteer dashboard

• Access to the References section on the dashboard

Before you start

Safe Pathways requires two references as part of the screening process.

For each reference, you can enter either:

• an email address, or

• a phone number

If you enter an email address, Safe Pathways will automatically send that person a reference request email.

If you enter a phone number, your church staff will need to contact that reference manually.

Steps to add your references

1. Open the Home page

In the left-side menu, click Home.

2. Scroll to the References section

On the Home page, scroll until you see the References section.

3. Enter Reference 1

Under Reference 1, enter:

• the reference’s name

• their contact information

You can enter either an email address or a phone number.

4. Enter Reference 2

Under Reference 2, enter:

• the reference’s name

• their contact information

You can enter either an email address or a phone number.

5. Confirm your information saved

After entering both references, make sure the information remains visible on the page.

If it is still shown, that confirms your references were saved.

6. Make corrections if needed

If you need to update a reference later, edit the fields and confirm the corrected information is displayed on the page.

What happens next

After you enter your references, your church may still need time to complete the reference check process.

To check whether your references have been cleared, expand Your church staff tasks on your dashboard.

Troubleshooting

I do not see the References section

• • Refresh the page and check again.

  • If the section still does not appear, contact your church administrator.

My reference did not receive the email

• • Confirm that you entered the correct email address.

  • You should also ask your reference to check their spam or junk folder.

I entered a phone number instead of an email

• • If you enter a phone number, Safe Pathways will not send an automatic reference request email.

  • Your church staff will need to follow up with that reference manually.

Notes

• Safe Pathways requires two references as part of the screening process

• Email addresses trigger an automatic reference request email

• Phone numbers require manual follow-up by church staff

• Volunteers can review reference progress under Your church staff tasks

Last reviewed

February 13, 2026