Code of Conduct

1. At no time during a YMCA program may a staff/volunteer be alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others, except in extraordinary circumstances. As staff/ volunteers supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that other staff/volunteers can see them. 

2. Staff/volunteers shall never leave a child under the age of 8 unsupervised. 

3. Rest room supervision: If staff/volunteers are assisting younger children, doors to the stalls must remain open. No child regardless of age should ever enter a bathroom alone on a field trip. 

4. Staff/volunteers should conduct or supervise private activities of children in pairs - putting on bathing suits, taking showers, etc. When this is not feasible, staff/volunteers should be positioned so that they are visible to others. Any exceptions should be approved by senior management. 

5. Staff/volunteers shall not abuse children including: 

Physical Abuse - strike, spank, shake, slap, etc. 

Verbal Abuse - humiliate, degrade, threaten, etc. 

Sexual Abuse - inappropriate touch or verbal exchange, etc. 

Mental Abuse - shaming, withholding love, cruelty, etc.

Neglect - withholding food, water, basic care, etc. 

Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and may be grounds for discipline, up to and including termination. 

6. Staff/volunteers must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism. Staff/volunteers will have age-appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline. 

7. If a restraint must be used due to imminent danger to the health and safety of a child or staff, an immediate evaluation of the situation must be conducted with the staff/volunteers involved and their immediate supervisor. An incident report is to be completed and shared with the Branch Executive Director. If the program is a licensed program, the report should also be shared with the State Licensing Representative. 

8. Staff/ volunteers will observe children as they enter the program, noting any questionable observations, including any questionable physical marks or responses. Questionable observations will be documented and shared with their immediate supervisor. Questions or comments will be addressed with the child and/or parent/guardian in non-threatening way. 

9. Staff/volunteers will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability, creed, national origin, or other protected status. 

10. Staff/ volunteers will respect a child's right not to be touched in a way that makes him/her feel uncomfortable, and will respect that child's right to say no. 

11. Staff/volunteers will refrain from intimate displays of affection 

towards others in the presence of children, parents and other staff/volunteers. 

12. While the YMCA does not discriminate against an individual's lifestyle, it does require that in the performance of their job that they will abide by the standards of conduct set forth by the YMCA. 

13. Staff/volunteers must appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired. Staff must follow department dress code and wear their YMCA photo ID name badge when working. 

14. Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours is strictly prohibited. 

15. Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is strictly prohibited. Smoking is never allowed on YMCA property or in YMCA vehicles. 

16. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one's personal life, and any kind of harassment is strictly prohibited. 

17. Staff/volunteers will portray a positive role model for youth by upholding the YMCA's four core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. 

18. Staff/volunteers may not be alone with children they meet in YMCA programs outside of the YMCA. This includes babysitting, sleep over's, and inviting children to their home. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to senior management approval. 

19. Except in emergency situations, staff should not and the YMCA recommends that volunteers do not transport children in their own vehicle, especially if they do not have any of their own children in the program that they are coaching/teaching. 

20. Staff/volunteers may not date members and/or patrons of the YMCA who are under the age of 18 or who have special needs or who are otherwise vulnerable. 

21. In child care programs, under no circumstances should staff/ volunteers release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written parent/guardian authorization on file). 

22. Staff/volunteers are required to read and sign all policies related to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse and attend training on the subject, as instructed to do so by their immediate supervisor. 

23. When supervising a YMCA traveling/overnight program, staff/volunteers are responsible for participants only at an actual YMCA event. Parents/guardians of participants that will not be present during overnight or traveling to and from such an event must delegate responsibility of their child(ren) to another parent/guardian who will be present. 

**All policies for staff/ volunteers regarding the prevention of child abuse also apply to members and patrons of the YMCA who have disabilities or are otherwise vulnerable regardless of age. 

I understand that any violation of the Code of Conduct may be grounds for discipline, up to and including termination.