Junior Achievement staff provide these standards in writing to every volunteer before their first program visit.
Junior Achievement (JA) serves students, and you are expected to exemplify these standards in both your program delivery and your interactions with students. Inappropriate conduct by adults in the presence of students can have serious consequences. These standards exist to keep students safe, and to protect you.
1. Model the behavior students should see
Students look to adults for examples of appropriate behavior. JA volunteers must use appropriate language and model honorable behavior, including respect, integrity, honesty, and excellence.
The following are prohibited regardless of whether they occur in person, digitally, or by any other means:
- Profanity, or sexualized language or jokes
- Conduct or speech that discriminates against or otherwise harasses students, including on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, religion, or any other legally protected class
- Any form of physical or emotional abuse, including striking, bullying, harassment, or other degrading behavior
JA strictly forbids violating any state or federal law regarding interactions with students. For example, providing students with alcohol or drugs, or coaxing them into illicit relationships using digital communication or otherwise.
2. Physical contact
Volunteers should avoid all physical contact with students beyond a business handshake or a high five.
3. One on one interactions
Interactions with students must be appropriate and must appear appropriate. It is expected that volunteers' interactions with students are at all times appropriate and professional and are strictly related to the role of business mentor.
- It is unacceptable to seek or engage in private one to one meetings or private communications with students at any time.
Volunteers are responsible for the quality of interactions. Students often find it difficult to state discomfort or objections, so volunteers must be especially sensitive to the physical and verbal cues students provide.
4. Photos and video
Volunteers may not take photos or videos of students at any JA program. The only exception is your own child, which Junior Achievement authorizes.
JA staff will be taking photos during the program, and in most cases the school will be taking photos as well.
If you would like a photo of your volunteer experience, we would love that. Please take it in front of a program sign, with a JA prop, or with fellow volunteers who agree to be photographed... just no students in the frame.
5. Digital communication and social media
- Do not “friend,” “follow,” “add,” “accept,” or privately correspond with students online or through any other digital channel, including text, email, or any social media platform.
- Any post that references JA or links to a JA website should reflect JA in a positive light and include only accurate public information.
- Volunteers must adhere to the social media policies of the school district they are serving.
6. Intellectual property
Volunteers will be presenting, facilitating, and discussing various programs, content and materials with students that may be owned or licensed by JA, its content providers, students, or other third parties. A primary purpose of the JA programs is to encourage creativity by the students. By working with JA and the students, Volunteer agrees that they do not obtain any intellectual property rights therein, will not seek ownership in or to contest those intellectual property rights, and will not attempt to secure trademark, patent or other intellectual property rights or registrations therein without prior written consent from Junior Achievement USA.
7. Consequences
The aforementioned standards do not represent a comprehensive list. Other actions not included could result in suspension or dismissal as a volunteer.
Junior Achievement takes all complaints of misconduct seriously. Credible allegations of misconduct will be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities. During any such investigation, the JA volunteer will not perform services as a JA volunteer. If an investigation determines misconduct occurred, it will result in immediate and permanent dismissal as a JA volunteer.
8. If you have a concern, tell us right away
If you see or hear anything that concerns you about a student's safety, or about the conduct of any adult in the room, report it immediately to the JA staff member on site and to a school administrator. Do not wait until the program ends, and do not attempt to investigate on your own.
9. Clearances and your duty to disclose
I understand that if I am arrested for or convicted of an offense that would constitute grounds for denying participation in a program, activity or service under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law, or if I am named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report, I must provide Junior Achievement of South Central PA with written notice not later than 72 hours after the arrest, conviction or notification.
I understand that my volunteer clearances must be on file with Junior Achievement before my first program, must remain current, and that I am responsible for providing updated clearances when mine expire.