Europe North
EnglishConnect in Cape Verde
Summary
November 30, 2017
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only.
1. Legal Entity:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cape Verde, (the “Cape Verde Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Cape Verde. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the
Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Cape Verde. The Cape Verde Church has the corporate authority to administer the EnglishConnect program.
2. Regulations and Licensing Requirements:
The Cape Verde Church is not subject to any regulations or licensing requirements, including but not limited to those for education, when it administers the EnglishConnect program.
3. Tax Consequences:
The Cape Verde Church is not subject to any tax consequences or reporting obligations if it administers the EnglishConnect program so long as it offers these courses free of charge. Administering the EnglishConnect program will not jeopardize The Cape Verde Church’s current tax exempt status and activities can take place in meetinghouses without jeopardizing their property tax exemptions. There are no tax consequences or reporting requirements arising from the nominal charge for course materials.
4. Other:
Other than those listed below, there are no legal issues arising from The Cape Verde Church’s administration of the EnglishConnect program in Cape Verde.
a. Parental Consent. There are no requirements for parental consent for participants over the age of 12.
b. Missionary Visas. Missionaries may teach EnglishConnect courses in Cape Verde without causing issues with their existing visas.
c. Certificates. The Cape Verde Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. Issuing certificates of completion will not subject The Cape Verde Church to additional laws or regulations.
d. Participant Disclosure. We recommend that the The Cape Verde Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials. This can be accomplished by including such language in the standard online registration materials.
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EnglishConnect in Denmark
Summary
March 31, 2020
EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Denmark, a religious organization (the “Danish Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Denmark. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Denmark. The Danish Church may issue OGC- approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Danish Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The authorization of the EnglishConnect program in Denmark has been made by OGC pursuant to an expedited review process (approved by Associate General Counsel – International on May 15, 2018) without specific review by local counsel in Denmark.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Denmark according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
• Any mission in this country that has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, then he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.
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EnglishConnect in Finland
Summary
August 28, 2018
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only.
The Finnish Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a local association (the “Finnish Association”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Finland. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Finland. The Finnish Association may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Finnish Association provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Finland according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form available on the englishconnect.org website):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides, including strict adherence to all registration processes.
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
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EnglishConnect in Iceland
Summary
March 31, 2020
EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an Icelandic association (the “Icelandic Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Iceland. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Iceland. The Icelandic Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Icelandic Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The authorization of the EnglishConnect program in Iceland has been made by OGC pursuant to an expedited review process (approved by Associate General Counsel – International on May 15, 2018) without specific review by local counsel in Iceland.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Iceland according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
• Any mission in this country that has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, then he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.
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EnglishConnect in Ireland
Summary
August 28, 2018
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only.
The Irish Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Company Limited by Guarantee, a company limited by guarantee (the “Irish Association”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Ireland. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Ireland. The Irish Association may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Irish Association provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Ireland according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form available on the englishconnect.org website):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides, including strict adherence to all registration processes.
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
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EnglishConnect in Latvia
Summary
September 25, 2019
EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
Riga Central Congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Latvian religious organization (the “Riga Congregation”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Latvia. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Latvia. The Riga Congregation may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Riga Congregation provide a disclosure
to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The authorization of the EnglishConnect program in Latvia has been made by OGC pursuant to an expedited review process (approved by Associate General Counsel - International on May 15, 2018) without specific review by local counsel in Latvia.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Latvia according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, then he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.
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EnglishConnect in Lithuania
Summary
March 16, 2020
EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Religious Association of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Lithuanian religious association (the “Religious Association”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Lithuania. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Lithuania. Missionaries in Lithuania may also teach EnglishConnect on either a tourist visa or residency permit, as part of the religious activities they engage in. The Religious Association may issue OGC- approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Religious Association provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The EnglishConnect program in Lithuania was reviewed by local counsel. There are no country-specific guidelines for the program in Lithuania, but it should be operated according to the following general program guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using a Church Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.
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EnglishConnect in Norway
Summary
August 28, 2018
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Norway, a religious community (the “Norwegian
Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Norway. The EnglishConnect program will be
part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Norway. The Norwegian Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Norwegian Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The authorization of the EnglishConnect program in Norway has been made by OGC pursuant to an expedited review process (approved by Associate General Counsel - International on May 15, 2018) without specific review by local counsel in Norway.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Norway according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides, which must include the requirement to follow the attached matrix with regard to data privacy (attached as Appendix B).
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
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EnglishConnect in Portugal
Summary
July 30, 2024
EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Portugal (the “Portuguese Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect novice program (EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now) in Portugal. The EnglishConnect program will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Portugal. Missionaries in Portugal may also use the EnglishConnect program. The Portuguese Church may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Portuguese Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The EnglishConnect program in Portugal was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, it should be operated with the following country-specific guidelines:
- Neither hosts nor participants may be located in a meetinghouse or other tax-exempt property of the Portuguese Church during group discussions.
- Course materials should be provided free of charge.
- The use of religious symbols and the promotion of religious ideas in advertising is prohibited by law. Otherwise, the program may be advertised through mass media (newspaper, radio, paid social media ads) or by handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards, provided the advertisements contain:
- Prominent placement of the Church’s name;
- A statement that there is no cost for EnglishConnect novice programs; and
- A statement that EnglishConnect novice programs are not accredited. In addition to the country-specific guidelines above, the program should be operated in Portugal according to the following general program guidelines:
- Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
- Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
- If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
- Provide every student a hard copy of the Church’s Privacy Notice (attached as Appendix B) and be sure they read it.1
- Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
- Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
- At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content by following the revised EnglishConnect novice program. This should easily be met using the revised curriculum.
- Require instructors to complete the required Church training, “Protecting Children and Youth,” and follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect instructor who will be teaching anyone under 21.
- Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides.
Online Hosting from Abroad
Online hosting of the EnglishConnect novice program described above from either within or outside of Portugal is also permissible and would not impact the legal analysis.
EnglishConnect 3
EnglishConnect 3 is a separate program conducted in association with the Pathway Program. For information regarding this program in Portugal, please refer to the Church Education key topic on InfoGuide.
- If a student has registered online for EnglishConnect using an LDS Account, he or she need not be provided a hard copy of the Privacy Notice.
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EnglishConnect in Sweden
Summary
September 6, 2018
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sweden, a religious community (the “Swedish
Church”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in Sweden. The EnglishConnect program will be
part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in Sweden. The Swedish Church may issue OGC- approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that the Swedish Church provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The authorization of the EnglishConnect program in Sweden has been made by OGC pursuant to an expedited review process (approved by Associate General Counsel - International on May 15, 2018) without specific review by local counsel in Sweden.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in Sweden according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides, which must include the requirement to follow the attached matrix with regard to data privacy (attached as Appendix B).
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
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EnglishConnect in the United Kingdom
Summary
August 9, 2018
*This summary applies to EnglishConnect 1, EnglishConnect 2, and Learn English Now only.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Great Britain), a private unlimited company (“GB”), can carry out the EnglishConnect program in the United Kingdom (“UK”). The EnglishConnect program
will be part of the Self-Reliance activities already taking place in the UK. GB may issue OGC-approved certificates of completion to participants who successfully complete EnglishConnect courses. We recommend that GB provide a disclosure to each participant that EnglishConnect courses will contain religious content, that they will not carry accredited value, and outlining the cost (if any) of EnglishConnect course materials.
The EnglishConnect program in the UK was reviewed by local counsel. Based on that review, there are no country-specific guidelines for the UK, but the program should be operated in the UK according to the following general program guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form attached as Appendix A):
○ Obtain both parent signatures where possible;
○ If someone 18 or under is actually living on their own, parental consent is not needed.
• Do not charge any fees or costs to the participants for program participation:
○ Program materials can be provided for free (by on-line download where possible) or purchased through regular distribution channels by local units or directly by participants.
• At least one-third of all teaching must contain substantial religious content (i.e., religious content should take up 20 minutes of each hour of instruction or 30 minutes of each 90 minutes of instruction).
• Follow all local country standards for the vetting and calling of teachers of youth for any EnglishConnect teacher who will be teaching anyone under 21.
• Follow all program guidelines contained in the Leader and Teacher guides, which must include the requirement to follow the attached matrix with regard to data privacy (attached as Appendix B).
• Any mission which has never used English teaching as a contacting method must obtain specific OGC approval before beginning to use EnglishConnect materials, in order to avoid threats to missionary visas or the Church’s legal status.
The conditions of this approval are that the program be operated in the United States according to the following guidelines:
• No mass media advertising of the program targeting the general public:
○ I.e., no newspaper, radio, or broadly distributed social media advertising;
○ Handbills, posters, announcements in Church, or “pass-along” cards are acceptable.
• Obtain parental consent for each student 18 years old or under (using the parental consent form available on the englishconnect.org website):