REVISED DRAFT
Recommendations of the Youth Adult Committee
On Safety Issues Pertaining to Youth Events and Leadership
15 February 2004
Leadership of Youth Group
A minimum of 2 adults will be present at all youth gatherings. All adults working with youth will meet the criteria set out below. Ideally, both will have received training, either at an in-service education session held at First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, or at a CUC (Canadian Unitarian Council) sponsored training. However, if two trained advisors are not available, one trained advisor and another responsible adult who meets the criteria below is acceptable.
· Known to several in the church
· Listed in the church database
· Has participated in a variety of areas of church life
· Demonstrated knowledge of/commitment to UU values
· Age 25 or older
A signed copy of the “First Unitarian Church of Hamilton Code of Ethics for Adults” will be submitted to the Program Director before an advisor participates in youth events. (see Appendix A)
Events held at the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton
A minimum of 2 adults will be present. At least one adult will be a trained youth advisor.
Invited Guests
Guests with knowledge or skill applicable to youth programming may be invited, on a single occasion, under the following circumstances:
· Two youth advisors must be present at the event at which a guest is invited.
· Invited guests are to be referred by a member of the congregation to whom they are known.
· Advance notice of the visit will be distributed to parents and to the staff person responsible to the youth program, along with an acknowledgement form to be signed by parents and returned prior to the meeting featuring a guest .
Sleepovers
An overnight event will be open only to members of the youth group (see “Youth Membership”). Youth group members will not invite friends or visitors to attend.
Adult leadership will adhere to the criteria noted in “Leadership of Youth Group” above.
Adults or youth who are invited to attend the early evening segment of an overnight event in the role of programmers will limit their participation to that of a programmer or presenter, at no time taking on the role of a youth advisor and will depart by 11:00 p.m.
See recommended advisor complement and procedure for overnight events attached
Events away from First Unitarian Church –
Youth and Youth Advisors will conduct themselves according to the “Youth Covenant” and “Youth Safety Guidelines” of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton when attending events away from our church. Youth and advisors are expected to travel together and no outside excursions by individual youth will be permitted. Permission slips for all youth attending will be in the possession of the Youth Advisor before departure. (See Appendix B)
Travel -
At no time will a youth advisor transport a single youth in their private vehicle. All youth will travel together with licensed drivers in insured vehicles.
All drivers will be asked to provide proof of valid insurance and licensing before departure by presenting these documents for inspection by youth advisors and/or staff as appropriate.
Parents offer to transport youth to events: where parents offer to transport youth to events away from church with a round trip distance of more than 100 kms or where overnight stays will be required, parents will be offered mileage reimbursement at the rate set by the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Parents will not be invited to attend the youth event or to stay overnight with youth and will make separate arrangements for church billet or other accommodation.
Youth Membership
Youth who are eligible to join the youth group of First Unitarian Church of Hamilton are:
· currently attending secondary school
· have a direct adult affiliation in the church (a parent or guardian is listed in the church database, or a person who has accompanied the youth to church while they were registered in the church school.)
Parents will provide signed acknowledgement that they have received a copy of the ‘First Unitarian Church of Hamilton Code of Ethics for Adults”. (see Appendix A)
Further reflection:
The Youth Adult Committee and Youth Group of First Unitarian may wish to reflect further and convenant or develop guidelines regarding:
* Dispute resolution
* Intersecting authority between First Unitarian Youth Advisors and Con organizers
respectfully submitted,
Evan Hutchison, Beverly Horton, Angela Klassen
Appendix A
First Unitarian Church of Hamilton
Code of Ethics for Adults
Adults are in a position of stewardship and play a key role in fostering the spiritual development of both individuals and the community. It is, therefore especially important that adults be qualified to provide the special nurture, care, and support, that will enable youth to develop a positive sense of self and responsibility. The relation between young people and adults must be one of mutual respect if the positive potential of their relationship is to be realized.
There are no more important areas of growth than those of self-worth and the development of a healthy identity as a sexual being. Adults play a key role in assisting youth in these areas of growth. Wisdom dictates that youth and adults suffer damaging effects when leaders become sexually involved with young persons in their care; therefore, leaders will refrain from engaging in sexual, seductive or erotic behavior with youth. Neither shall they sexually harass or engage in behavior with youth which constitutes verbal, emotional, or physical abuse.
Leaders shall be informed of the code of ethics and agree to it before assuming their role. In cases of violation of this code, appropriate action, up to and including dismissal, will be taken.
Date:______________________________
Signature:___________________________
APPENDIX B
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF HAMILTON
YOUTH PERMISSION FORM AND
AUTHORIZATION FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT
I,___________________________, give permission for my son/daughter, ____________________,
to participate in the following adult supervised activity:
The Spirit of Harriet Tubman (theatrical presentation by Leslie McCurdy)
Stewart Memorial Church
114 John St. North, Hamilton
The activity will take place on Wednesday, February 18th from _7pm to 10:00pm . We will be departing from, and returning to the church.
I give permission for my son/daughter to be transported to and from the event by reasonable and safe means. I understand that youth advisors will remain with the youth at the church until all youth have been picked up. (Please give details on the back of this form if your son/daughter will not be picked up by you, but will be responsible for returning home from the church at the end of the event on his/her own)
OR
My son/daughter will be transported directly to Stewart Memorial Church and will arrive at ________pm_ and be picked up at _____________ pm by (name) _____________________________.
I agree and hereby do release and hold harmless any and all adult supervisors for the activity, from and for any and all liability which may arise for damages, loss or injuries, either to person or property, which my son/daughter may sustain while engaged in the activity conducted, including, but not limited to, any damages, loss or injuries that may be sustained through transportation to and from the activity .
Should any injury occur, I give permission for my son/daughter to receive emergency treatment from an appropriate health care provider to be selected by the adult supervisor of the activity, when, in such supervisor's opinion, the need for such treatment is immediate, and when efforts to contact me (us) are unsuccessful. I also agree to pay and be responsible for all medical, hospital or other expenses which may be incurred as a result of securing such treatment.
I further agree to assume responsibility for any liability which may arise for damages, loss or injuries which may be caused or contributed to by my son/daughter to the person or property of others while travelling and/or participating in this event.
I understand that church safety policies require that two responsible adults be in attendance with youth at all times, and that therefore, youth must travel together and remain together at the event location in order for youth advisors to adhere to this policy.
Signature: ____________________________________Date:___________________________
Home address: ________________________________Email___________________________
Home phone number:___________________ Emergency phone number:_________________
Family Physician/Practice:_______________________ _______________________________
Physician's phone number:_______________________
Health Insurance Number __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Version Code ___ ___
Additional Information you wish to share about your son/daughter which might be required in case of emergency: (eg: current medications, medical conditions, drug allergies etc)
___________________________________________________________________________________
Other needs__________________________________________________________________________