Volunteer Code of Ethics
1. Smoking or use of tobacco products in the presence of children is
prohibited.
2. Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal
drugs will not be tolerated.
3. Any abuse of children WILL NOT BE tolerated including:
·
Physical Abuse-strike, spank, shake, slap
·
Verbal Abuse-humiliate, degrade, threaten
·
Sexual Abuse-including inappropriate touching and
exposure
·
Mental Abuse
4. Volunteers must treat children of all races, religions, and cultures
with respect and consideration
5. Volunteers must use positive techniques of guidance, including positive
reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, or
criticism.
6. Volunteers shall abstain from humiliating or frightening discipline
techniques.
7. Volunteers shall not use profanity in the presence of children or
parents.
8. Monetary and expensive gifts to volunteers are prohibited.
9. Volunteers must
be free of physical and psychological conditions that might adversely affect
children's health, including fever or contagious conditions.
10. Volunteers will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining
an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, tact, and
maturity.
11. Volunteers will avoid being put in a situation where they are alone with
a YMCA child other than their own
12. Caring for a YMCA
child during a one-on-one basis such as baby-sitting is prohibited unless the
child is the volunteer’s own child.
13. Volunteers will not fraternize with YMCA youth participants away from
the YMCA. However, if Y volunteers have children that have YMCA participants as
friends, the Y volunteer must obtain permission from the YMCA youth
participants' parents to fraternize with their children. If the YMCA learns of
a violation of this policy, the violation may be grounds for removal as a
volunteer.
14. Texas State laws require that all citizens report any suspected abuse or
neglect of a child to the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services and
local law enforcement agencies.
15. I understand that as a volunteer for the YMCA, I will be subject to a
background check, including criminal history understand that any violation of
this code may be grounds for removal as a volunteer.
I acknowledge that I have read,
understand, and agree to be guided by this volunteer code of ethics. I
understand that I have a responsibility to report any potential misconduct to
an appropriate YMCA staff or to Risk Management (Jacob Gigliotti-
jacob.gigliotti@austinymca.org)