MRJ and RSY-Netzer strives to run programmes which are fun, educational and fulfilling, and which encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves, their words and actions. As a general rule, we very rarely have problems on our events, but nevertheless operate the following strict code of conduct to ensure that no individual or group damages the experience of others.
Participants are expected to:
1. Behave in a responsible manner as defined by event staff.
2. Participate in all educational and social activities.
3. Treat others and staff with care and respect.
4. Treat MRJ, RSY-Netzer’s and the event site’s property with care and respect.
Participants can expect to:
1. Be treated fairly and with respect.
2. Have an organised programme of activities run for them.
3. Be within a safe environment.
4. Have any complaints taken seriously, and responded to appropriately by MRJ staff.
General Rules:
1. We expect participants to attend and engage fully in all activities.
2. Participants are not to engage in any anti-social behaviour (including stealing, bullying, vandalism, disruptive non-participation, or anything deemed to be irresponsible).
3. Participants are not to use alcohol, non-prescribed drugs or any substance open to misuse (eg glue, lighter fuel, artificial stimulants, etc.)
4. Participants are not allowed to smoke or use e-cigarettes on any of our events.
5. No participants may take an unauthorised absence from the site.
6. We expect participants to fully comply with Covid precautions as will be communicated before and during camp, which may include, but is not limited to, regular testing, temperature checks, hand washing and mask-wearing.
Discipline Procedure - Three strikes and out
RSY-Netzer staff strive to discuss with an individual all behaviours observed that are outside of the accepted norms in an attempt to help young people understand the implications of the behaviour and therefore change those behaviours. Sometimes there is a need to take more affirmative action, in which case all RSY-Netzer staff have been instructed to operate according to the following disciplinary procedure:
1. Any participant caught violating any of the above rules will be issued with a first warning. At this point, they will be asked to contact their parent/guardian to inform them of this fact. They will also engage in a small period of reflection and conversation as an opportunity for reconciliation facilitated by the adult on site and a positive, constructive action e.g. cleaning or leading grace after meals.
2. Any participant caught violating any of the above rules for a second time will be issued a second warning. A professional member of the team will contact the parent/guardian to inform them of this fact, discuss means of resolving the issue, and request that they make contingency plans should an incident occur again. The participant will engage in a longer period of reflection and conversation as an opportunity for reconciliation and a negative consequence e.g. missing a fun activity or free time.
3. Any participant caught violating any of the above rules for a third time will, following a period of reflection, be sent home at their own cost and without refund with no further warning. Logistical arrangements will be made between the parent/guardian and the professional event staff.
Please be aware that single strikes may be skipped over if the participant has behaved in a manner deemed more severe than would be considered to receive the next strike (e.g. a participant may be instantly given a second strike and not a first strike if their behaviour is deemed to have been severe enough, or a third strike may be given if the participant was previously on a first strike).
In the event that a programme participant is found engaged in illegal activity or anything deemed particularly serious or dangerous by RSY-Netzer staff, they will immediately activate Stage Three. The participant will be sent home without warning and at their family's own cost.
Being sent home from an RSY-Netzer event will affect your chances of being accepted onto future programmes. If this scenario occurs the cost of travel will be incurred by the parents/guardians of the participant.
Complaints Procedure
If any participant feels that they have been the subject of unfair treatment by any member of staff or volunteer leader they have the right to submit a formal letter of complaint to the Chief Operating Officer. Any complaints will be dealt with seriously and promptly. In the event that you are not satisfied with the response, you may pursue your complaint with the Chair of the Board of Reform Judaism to achieve a satisfactory resolution. The Chief Operating Officer can be contacted at the Sternberg Centre or at Ddoobay@rjuk.org
Love your neighbour as yourself וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ
RSY-Netzer is committed to listening to all concerns and complaints, however, we will not continue conversations with anyone who communicates with us inappropriately, in an intimidating or threatening way, by phone, email, on social media or in person.