I certify that all statements contained in this application are truthful. I understand that all prospective volunteers will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, creed, color sex, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status. I understand that this application remains current for only six months. At the conclusion of that time, if I have not heard from the YMCA and still wish to be considered for volunteer opportunities, it will be necessary to reapply and fill out a new application. Volunteering with the YMCA will be contingent on a satisfactory clearance of criminal history records on conviction
Section 1. Introduction
The YMCA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all employees, members, volunteers, children, and program participants. To promote safety and comfort for all and to ensure the safety of children and prohibit the abuse or mistreatment of children, employees, members, and volunteers are always expected to act appropriately while working or volunteering in YMCA facilities and programs. All employees, members, and volunteers are always expected to behave in a mature and responsible way in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations and the policies and procedures of the YMCA, and with adherence to the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Volunteers will act in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible manner.
Section 2. Code of Conduct Guidelines
- In order to protect YMCA employees, volunteers, and program participants: at no time may an employee be alone with a single child where others cannot observe them. As employees and volunteers supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that others can see them.
- Restroom supervision: At no time should a volunteer assist in restroom supervision. Listed below are the guidelines employees follow for restroom supervision.
- Employees will ensure that the restroom is not occupied by suspicious or unknown individuals before allowing children to use the facilities. In childcare, no adults/youth can use the restroom while children in the childcare program use the restroom.
- While children are in the restroom, employees will position themselves just outside the restroom doorway which shall be held open or kept ajar through use of a doorstop. This policy allows privacy for the children and protection for the employee (not being alone with a child).
- Employees will maintain either “line of sight” or “line of sound” supervision is maintained while children are using the facilities.
- If assisting younger children, the door to the restroom must remain open.
- Children will proceed to the restroom with an adult employee and in groups of three or more (e.g. 1 employee & 2 children OR 2 employees and 1 child).
- When using the restrooms, only send in as many children as there are in the number of stalls and then rotate a child in as a child completes their restroom visit – 5 stalls equals the maximum number of children that can be in the restroom.
- Children over the age of 10 years can use the restrooms on their own (does not apply to Childwatch/Childcare/SACC). Children 8 & 9 years old can use the restroom on their own, only if, a supervising adult is in the building (does not apply to Childwatch/Childcare/SACC).
- No child, regardless of age, should ever enter a multi-stall bathroom alone on a field trip. Always send children in pairs.
- At Camp Manitou, campers may only use the bathroom when at least another camper or two employees are presents. Volunteers will not perform this duty at Camp Manitou.
- Volunteers must complete the child protection trainings of Safe Sport/Safe Play or Safe Guard as required by the YMCA of the Chippewa Valley. Must be taken annually for as long as the volunteer service is given.
- Volunteers must appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired.
- A volunteer must maintain supervision until all children are picked up from the program.
- Volunteers may not date program participants under the age of 18 years.
- An employee will not display favoritism at the Y site or during Y programming. No child will have more noticeable more attention than other children. No child will receive special rewards or gifts that any other child in a Y program.
- Volunteers must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism.
- Volunteers will have age-appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline. Physical restraint is used only in pre-determined situations (necessary to protect the child or other children from harm and for their safety), and is only administered in a prescribed manner and must be documented in writing.
- Volunteers will respect children’s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable, and their right to say no. Other than proper swimming lesson instruction and safety spotting for sports, children are not to be touched on areas of their bodies that could be covered by a bathing suit.
- Volunteers will not assist in diapering, putting on bathing suits, taking showers, etc. If assistance is necessary to assist in diapering, putting on bathing suits, taking showers, etc., only employees should conduct or supervise these private activities in pairs. When this is not feasible to be do so in employee pairs, employees should be positioned so that they are visible to other employees.
- Volunteers will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of gender, race, religion, and culture.
- Volunteers must not abuse children, including but not limited to:
- Physical abuse – striking, spanking, shaking, slapping
- Verbal abuse – humiliation, degrading, threatening
- Sexual abuse – inappropriate touch or verbal exchange
- Mental abuse – shaming, withholding love, cruelty
- Neglect – withholding food, water, basic care, etc.
- Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and may be cause of termination of volunteer duties.
- Volunteers will refrain from intimate displays of affection toward others in the presence of children, parents, volunteers, and employees.
- Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours is prohibited.
- Smoking or use of tobacco or electronic cigarettes in the presence of children, parents, members, volunteers and employees during working hours is prohibited.
- Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life, or any kind of harassment in the presence of children, parents, members, volunteers, and guests are prohibited.
- Volunteers will be a positive role models for youth by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity.
- Volunteers are not to transport children (other than their own child/children) and/or program participants in their own vehicle to and from any Y program (on-and-off site) they volunteer for as a Y-assignment.
- Volunteers may not be alone with children (other than their own child/children) that they meet in YMCA programs outside of the YMCA. This includes babysitting, one-on-one tutoring/coaching, and inviting children to their home during which they would be alone with that child. A YMCA volunteer may not host a YMCA-related event at their home. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to administrator approval (Center/Executive Director/CEO).
- Volunteers are mandatory reporters during their YMCA volunteer service. Please make a report to your program supervisor. Please make a report to your supervisor. Report is made to https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/reportabuse Eau Claire County - Department of Human Services 715-839-2300 or Chippewa County - Department of Human Services 715-726-7736 or if there is an immediate safety concern dial 911.
- Volunteers may not share any personal information about members, volunteers, or employees with others.
- While the YMCA does not discriminate against an individual’s lifestyle, it does require that in the performance of their volunteer position, volunteers will abide by the standards of conduct set forth by the YMCA.
- Volunteers are required to read, sign, and abide by all policies related to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse and attend designated trainings on the subject, as instructed by a supervisor, federal/state law, or by the YMCA Association.
- Volunteers are required to read, sign, and abide by all YMCA of the Chippewa Valley policies.
I, by my signature, confirm that I have read, understand, and agree with the statements in the Code of Conduct policy. I, as the volunteer, understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct or failure to comply with the expectations as defined in this Code of Conduct will lead to disciplinary action, up to and including discharge from my volunteer assignment or volunteer position.
Liability:
I understand that the YMCA assumes no responsibility for injuries or illnesses which I, or any member of my family, may sustain as a result of my physical condition resulting from my participation in any volunteer activities, sports programs, the use of any equipment, exercise or any other activities or programs. I acknowledge that I assume the risk for any and all injuries and illnesses, which may result from my or my family’s participation in these activities. I hereby release and discharge the YMCA, its agents and employees from any and all claims for injury, illnesses, death, loss or damage, which I or any member of my family may suffer as a result of my family’s participation in these activities.
Photo Talent Release:
I give permission to the Eau Claire YMCA and the Y of the USA to use, without limitation or obligation, photographs, film footage, or tape recordings, which may include my or my family’s image(s) or voice(s) for purposes of promotion or interpreting YMCA programs.