FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Dear Youth Member and Parent/Guardian,

Thank you for letting your youth join us on Sundays. We really enjoy the contribution they make to our group. We’ve updated our Group Behavior and Expectations to reflect problems we’ve had in the past year as well as problems we might come across as our kids get older. These rules and consequences are to help our group run more smoothly.

My goal is to be a friend and confidante, but I will always let you know if something is harmful to your youth student or others. Your student is always welcome to call me to come get them out of a dangerous or uncomfortable situation. My information is:

Melissa Stevenson

Cell 608-338-9368

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

We will succeed as a Youth Group if we create an environment where everyone gets to be who they are. To do this we will need to maintain certain boundaries so that fun times are fun for everyone and more serious times are shared by everyone. As children of God, He gives us expectations and rules to show us He cares about our behavior. Our rules are similar - to give attention, boundaries and care to our youth members to help them grow into responsible adults and members of the Body of Christ.

Purpose of Group Behavior and Expectations:

• To support a safe and enjoyable environment for all members of our Youth Group.
• To provide clear and explicit expectations for social behaviors in all Youth Group settings .
• To p rovide leaders, students and staff with appropriate actions that address student behaviors .

Group Expectations:

• Clean up after yourself, throw all dinner trash away including cups.
• Everyone is expected to participate fully in all group and subgroup activities .
• Always treat fellow youth members, visitors, leaders, and any guest speakers and musicians with attention, dignity and respect. This includes putting away cell phones when in lessons or group activities.
• Student - to - s tudent harassment i s prohibited. Verbal and physical harassment of any kind will not be tolerated , i ncluding but not limited to , online bullying, physical assault, unkind teasing, verbal abuse, and put - downs, gossip, or bullying. This behavior will not be accepted on church property, at school, at activities, or online/texting. We strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and this behavior, no matter its location, does not reflect those ideals.
• Sexual harassment of any kind is not acceptable behavior. This can include stalkin g in real life and online, dating abuse, making obscene gestures, making sexual comments, remarks or insults, pressure for sexual activity, and spreading rumors or gossip of a sexual nature. We encourage youth members under 16 not to date within the youth group.
• Do not leave the group, church, camp, condo, hotel, etc . without direct permission from the youth director or designated event leader. This includes the Crossover after activities. Each youth must be either dropped off in the van or picked up by a responsible adult.
• The buddy system is necessary for all activities off campus, including visiting the restroom. Youth are not to wander during Sunday service.
• Youth are not allowed in the Crossover without an adult leader, volunteer or youth director.
• We obey the laws of the land, including wearing seatbelts every time we are in a moving vehicle, limiting group activity numbers, and wearing masks and staying 6 f ee t apart when necessary and available.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Continued Group Behavior and Expectations

• Taking ano ther youth ’s or leader’s property is unacceptable unless express permission has been given by the owner of the object such as phones, chargers, earbuds, money, bags or clothes.
• Youth should dress appropriate ly for the occasion. Clothes with curse words, vu lgar pictures, drug or alcohol references and brands are not acceptable. For swimming, lake activities, and water park activities, one - piece swimsuits or a t - shirt over a two - piece are required for females, and males are required to wear a t - shirt with the ir swim shorts.
• No p ublic d isplay of a ffection such as kissing and inappropriate touching. Holding hands and short hugs are acceptable.

Consequences for Misbehavior

The consequences for misbehavior outlined below aim to exemplify grace and forgiveness. The goal is that youth members learn from their actions. Youth members who receive any offense may return to the youth with a clean slate. We desire all youth members to be able to participate in activities and will not hold prior offenses against a youth member who has completed the consequences, assuming that a pattern does not emerge. Youth members are held accountable for their behavior but not condemned.

Consequences for Offenses:

• 1 Offense: The youth member will receive a verbal warning.
• 2 Offense: The you th member will be pulled aside by a leader to discuss the offense.
• 3 Offense: The youth member will be pulled aside by a leader and will be asked to call their legal guardian, explain why they are calling (i.e. , what actions got them in trouble), and ask ed to be picked up immediately. Youth member will receive additional warning that the next offense will result in suspension from the g roup for 1 - 2 weeks and an in person parent and student meeting with the Youth Director shall be scheduled to discuss beha vior.
• Youth g roup leaders reserve the right to determine the severity of misbehavior and may choose to skip to a higher offense level or to modify any of the above - stated consequence s to match the behavior in question. For example, if the offense is not pi cking up their dinner trash, the consequence may be to pick up everyone’s dinner trash the next time we meet.
• Youth memb ers who reach 3 Offense multiple times may lose privileges , including but not limited to, coming to Sunday evening activities, single - day events, or attendance at overnight events. Youth members will always be welcome to Sunday morning service, no matter the offense except in extreme circumstances, but may not be allowed to ride in the van.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Continued Behavior and Expectations

Youth Group Non-Negotiables:

• No possession or use of alcohol, tobacco , vaping , marijuana, or illegal drugs
• No abuse of legal or prescription drugs
• No possession of weapons
• No sexual intimacy of any kind while participating in church activities, on church propert y, in vans, at camp, or on trips

Any violation of a non-negotiable item, meaning behavior that is disruptive to the group, or behavior that threatens the safety of self or others, will result in the offending youth(s) being sent home immediately, at the parent’s expense. In signing this form, the parent agrees to cover all expenses related to sending their child home.

I have read the group policies, expected expectations, non-negotiable activities, and consequences and agree to abide by them.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Medical and Liability Parent Release Form

(A copy will be emailed to the parent)

I hereby give consent for {youth name} to have emergency medical treatment administered for medical treatment decisions to be made by church leaders during sponsored events. I understand that all reasonable attempts will be made to contact me in the event of an emergency. I understand that FUMC Abilene assumes no financial responsibility for medical expenses resulting from personal accidents or illness. I accept financial responsibility for the well-being for the above-named youth and authorize the group sponsor to seek needed medical help.

As the parent or legal guardian of {youth name}, I understand that FUMC Abilene is not liable or responsible for any loss or damage to personal property while participating in a trip or at church activities. I also understand that FUMC Abilene, its church staff, and/or chaperone bear no responsibility or liability for any accident or injury that may occur to my youth while participating in activities, and I agree to assume all liability and bear all financial responsibility. I also agree to indemnify FUMC Abilene, its staff and/or chaperones for any damages caused by an alleged act or inaction by my youth.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

I hereby give permission for{youth name}, while under the direction/care of FUMC Abilene youth directors, leaders and chaperones, to have photos/videos/images taken, displayed, or used for recordkeeping, promotion, outreach, and celebratory purposes. I authorize church pastoral staff and volunteer youth leaders to photograph, video record, and use said media for church ministries. In this digital age the church takes many pictures of special events, activities, youth group, etc. We use these photos/videos/images to record, promote and celebrate our church ministries through various venues, including but not limited to, church website, church and youth Facebook and Instagram pages, slide shows, Apple TVs in the Ministry Activity Center, bulletin boards, or print material. Photos/videos/images are almost always in public areas and/or public events. We will not knowingly post or print anything that would be embarrassing, objectionable or hurtful to anyone in photo/video/image. Additionally, staff, leaders and volunteers may not post pictures of youth members and/or youth activities on their personal social media accounts, but because church pages are public, they may share pictures from authorized media.

Having understood the above, I hereby disclaim, release and agree to hold FUMC Abilene, its staff, volunteers and leaders, harmless from any liability to me, my youth, or to any other person or entity as a result of or in connection with the use of said photographs/videos/images, including but not limited to, any claims for invasion of privacy or defamation.

I agree to the statements made above:

-Or-

I do not agree and choose not to have my youth’s image used for any church use including digital and print materials and understand that my youth’s image may need to be blurred to accomplish this goal.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

I give permission for {youth name} to be transported in a motor vehicle driven by an authorized adult and monitor while the youth is attending FUMC Abilene functions. I understand that my child is expected to follow all applicable laws regarding riding in a motor vehicle and is expected to follow the directions provided by the driver and/or other adult volunteers.

I have read, understand and discussed with my child that:

1. They will be traveling in a motor vehicle driven by an adult over the age of 21 who has been approved by the church, and they are to wear their safety belt in accordance with laws while traveling.
2. They are expected to respect each other, the vehicle they ride in, and the people they travel with during the drive , i n cluding picking up and disposing of trash properly, responsible use of liquids if allowed in the vehicle, and gestures and faces made to people and vehicles outside of the vehicle they are riding in.
3. Consequences in the Behavior and Expectations form appl y also to vehicle behavior.
4. Riding in a motor vehicle may result in personal injuries or death from wrecks, collisions, or acts by riders, other drivers, or objects; therefore , they are to remain in their seats and not be disruptive to the driver of the ve hicle.

As a condition for the transportation received, I, for myself, my youth, my executors and assigns, further agree to release and forever discharge FUMC Abilene and their employees and volunteers from any claim that I might have myself or that I could bring on my youth’s behalf with regard to any damages, demands or actions whatsoever, including those based on negligence, in any manner arising out of this transportation.

I have read this entire Permission/Waiver form, fully understand it, and agree to be legally bound by its terms.

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

Insurance Information:

FUMC Abilene Expected Behaviors, Consequences, Medical Liability, Media Release, Permission for Travel in Church Vehicles, COVID-19 Response, and Student Information

In early March of 2020 Abilene was introduced to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. In response to the possible outbreak, FUMC Abilene closed our doors and proceeded to hold classes, activities and services online. As cases have decreased, we have opened our building for activities again, but we are taking steps for prevention.

Youth members who attend our activities and services will be encouraged to wear masks while attending. We have increased our cleanings and have hand sanitizer available. We are also encouraging physically distancing when possible and limited group size. We do not want to lose the opportunity to learn with your youth but want to keep all as safe as possible.

If Abilene ISD closes due to increased cases, FUMC Abilene youth will go to online classes and activities as well.

In accordance with these preventative challenges, by participating in programs, services and activities of FUMC Abilene, you agree to the following:

On behalf of yourself and your youth, you hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless FUMC Abilene, its employees, agents and representatives, of and from all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of, or relating to, your participation in our programs, services or activities. You understand and agree that this release includes any claims based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of this organization, its employees, agents, and representatives, whether a COVID-19 infection occurs before, during, or after participation in any such program, service or activity.