YMCA Michigan Youth in Government

Behavior Policy

Students are expected to follow this behavior policy at all times. Negative behavior affects more than just the participant involved in the misconduct; it also affects those around them. 

• Drugs, cannabis products, alcohol, cigarettes (including vapes), weapons, sexually explicit materials, lighters, candles or explosive devices (including firecrackers) are prohibited at all YMCA MYIG events.
• Harassment, bullying or intimidation via words, gestures, body language, social media or any other menacing behavior are prohibited at any YMCA MYIG event.
• Social media shall only be used in a positive and encouraging manner both towards the YMCA MYIG program and fellow participants.
• Destruction of any hotel property, Capitol building, conference facility or bus during any YMCA MYIG event is prohibited. Each participant is legally and financially responsible for any defacing or willful damage to public or private property. The parent/guardian will be contacted for appropriate payment to reimburse for any loss.
• Sexual activity, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment is prohibited at any YMCA MYIG event.
• Students attending a YMCA MYIG event are prohibited from leaving the hotel after their final off-site scheduled event of the day.
• Students shall observe quiet hours as posted at any overnight YMCA MYIG event. Students shall be in, and remain in, their assigned hotel room by the curfew listed in the official program schedule and may not leave except in case of emergency until 6:00 am the next morning.
• Students are not allowed in any hotel rooms except their own during any YMCA MYIG overnight event.
• Name badges shall be worn at all times by students at a YMCA MYIG event when they are outside their assigned hotel room. Name tags shall be worn visibly around the neck.
• Students shall attend all scheduled YMCA MYIG program functions, activities, meetings and training sessions.
• No student shall leave a YMCA MYIG event unless the advisor is notified and the student is signed out by a parent/guardian. 
• Students may not use or be transported in private vehicles during any YMCA MYIG without approval of a parent/guardian, adult advisor and the YMCA MYIG staff.
• Chewing gum, candy, food and beverages (except water) are not permitted in the Capitol Building. Food and drink of any kind are prohibited in the House and Senate Chambers.
• YMCA MYIG does not provide transportation to or from conferences and assumes no obligation or liability for any such transportation.
• YMCA MYIG reserves the right to dismiss students whose behavior poses a risk to themselves, other participants or property. In the case of voluntary or involuntary dismissal, no refunds will be given.

Dress Code / Changing Guidelines

• Youth are expected to adhere to the communicated dress code at all times throughout any YMCA MYIG event.
• Youth are encouraged to change in a private space whenever possible (ex. bathroom).
• When multiple youth are changing in the same room, they should:
  • Use the bathroom and take turns changing.
  • Use towels, robes or other coverings as needed.
  • Respect each other's privacy and personal boundaries.
• No photographic, video recording or social media use while anyone is changing.
• Harassment, teasing or inappropriate comments are strictly prohibited.
• Any concerns related to privacy, safety or inappropriate behavior should be reported immediately to the delegation's lead advisor of MYIG staff.

Disciplinary Process

• In the case of any code of conduct violations, the student's advisor will be contacted.
• Most disciplinary situations are minor and can be resolved with minimal corrections. The YMCA MYIG staff uses these situations as a learning opportunity for the student and tries to integrate problem-solving skills into the discussion. If the negative behavior continues the following steps may be instituted:
  • Discussion between the student, advisor and YMCA MYIG staff in order to set goals and objectives.
  • Discussion between the student, advisor and YMCA MYIG staff to clarify goals and objectives previously set. The parent/guardian will be contacted to inform them of the situation, enlist their help in resolving the situation, and to discuss options including that the child may be sent home.
  • If disruptive or inappropriate conduct continues, the YMCA MYIG Staff and advisor will contact the parents to make arrangements for the participants dismissal from the program. The student, parent and advisor will be notified at a later date of their ability to return to the program.

The YMCA Staff retains the right to take immediate action if the participant poses a threat to their own safety, the safety of other participants or YMCA Staff. There will be NO REFUNDS OF ANY AMOUNT for students who are sent home because of behavior problems. It is the parents/guardians’ responsibility to provide transportation for the child in the event of dismissal from the program within no more than 8 hours of notification.

Agreements

• I agree to notify the delegation advisor if my student will not be able to attend the conference before the drop deadline. I understand that if my student drops after the communicated drop deadline, we will be responsible for the full registration cost of the student.
• I grant the YMCA MYIG staff full authority to take whatever actions they deem necessary regarding my child’s health and safety, and I fully release YMCA Michigan Youth in Government and the State Alliance of Michigan YMCA’s from any liability in connection there within. I understand that the YMCA MYIG staff and the delegation advisor will contact me if any medical issues arise and that the I will be responsible for payment of all medical and medication bills.
• I certify that all relevant medical and allergy information was included in my student's registration and sent to the delegation advisor.
• I understand that my student must follow the program rules and standards of conduct and that I will be notified to take home my student if they violate these rules, as determined by the YMCA MYIG staff. I further understand that in this event, no refund will be made.
• I understand that YMCA MYIG is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal articles.
• I authorize YMCA MYIG to have and use photographs, slides, video recordings and comments of my student as needed for promotional materials.

Media Release

I authorize YMCA Michigan Youth in Government (MYIG), the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs, the YMCA and authorized program partners to photograph, video record, and/or audio record my student during MYIG programs and events. I grant permission for my student's image, likeness, voice and comments to be used in print and digital materials for educational, informational and promotional purposes, including publications, websites, social media, presentations and other program communications.

I understand that news media and other outside organizations may be present at MYIG events and may photograph or record activities, including general sessions and other public or group activities. YMCA MYIG will seek parent/guardian permission before facilitating an individual media interview with a participant under the age of 18.

I understand that these materials may be publicly available and that my student will not receive compensation for their use.

Parents/guardians who do not authorize YMCA MYIG to photograph or record their student for these purposes should notify YMCA MYIG State Director Jeff Litten at jeff@myig.org.

Surveys and Program Evaluation

As part of participation in YMCA Michigan Youth in Government, participants may be asked to complete surveys, evaluations or other assessments designed to measure program quality, participant experiences and program outcomes. Information collected may be used by YMCA Michigan Youth in Government, the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs, the YMCA and approved program evaluation partners for program improvement, evaluation, reporting and research purposes. Survey and evaluation results will be reported and used in aggregate whenever possible and will not be used to publicly identify individual participants. By participating in the program, participants and their parent/guardian acknowledge and agree to this collection and use of information.

I have received, read and agree to abide by all policies and procedures outlined in the student code of conduct and the behavior policy above.