YMCA of Greater Erie

1. Be an Ambassador of the Y and represent the YMCA by upholding the Y’s values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. At the YMCA, all program participants are treated with fairness and equality regardless of gender, gender identity, race / color, age, religion, national origin, veteran status, socio-economic status, ability / disability, or other legally protected class.*

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2. Attire should accommodate participation in program activities. No clothes or items advertising alcohol, drugs, sexuality, etc.*

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3. Be free of the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during volunteer hours. Smoking or use of tobacco on Y properties is prohibited.*

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4. Volunteers will not have sexually oriented materials, including printed or online pornography, on our organization’s property.*

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5. Limit non-essential cell phone use as not to interfere with my volunteer duties.*

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6. Participate in program activities to the best of my ability as directed by Y staff. I will be provided directions / instructions by the Y staff and will speak with my supervisor if I have questions or concerns about my volunteer job.*

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7. Ensure the program participant’s safety. I may not have any illness that could adversely affect participants.*

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8. Understand that I am free to exercise my full liberties as a citizen, including the right to express my personal convictions on issues such as social, economic, religious and political subjects. However, I must refrain from giving any impression that my views and positions are those of the YMCA.*

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9. Understand that volunteering with the Y carries an obligation to avoid situations that could produce a conflict of interest of the Y. Additionally, I may not accept any personal gifts, special payments or unusual hospitality favors.*

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10. Perform my duties on a regularly scheduled and timely basis. If expecting to be absent from a scheduled duty, I will inform the supervising staff member as far in advance as possible so that alternative arrangements may be made.*

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11. Abide by the following policies as listed below;*

a. I should never be alone with program participants. Staff members must be with me during program time.
b. I shall not abuse participants or staff members in any way including: physical, verbal, sexual, emotional / psychological abuse and neglect. No type of abuse will be tolerated and is cause for immediate dismissal and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
c. I will respect program participants’ rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable, and their right to say no. Program participants should never be touched in areas that would be covered by a bathing suit, and I must be careful and respectful of other’s comfort level even when giving a pat on the back or a friendly hug.
d. I will use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, criticism and anger. I am not allowed to discipline the participants; this responsibility is for staff only.
e. I should report to my volunteer supervisor any concerns regarding staff, participants, or other volunteers
f. Staff may not be alone with children they meet in YMCA programs outside of the YMCA. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, and inviting children to our home. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to administrator approval.
g. All volunteers are prohibited from accessing displaying, producing, possessing, or distributing pornography on YMCA property or equipment or during any organization-associated activity.

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Length of Residence in PA*

Under Pennsylvania State Law, volunteers taking an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity, or service and accept responsibility for a child, are considered mandated reporters of child abuse. This includes unpaid (volunteers) individuals. Child abuse, according to the CPSL, includes any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes non-accidental serious physical injury, or non-accidental serious mental injury to a child under 18 years of age, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation to a child under 18 years of age, and serious neglect. “Recent” is defined as an abusive act within two years from the date ChildLine is called. Sexual abuse has no time limit. Child abuse also includes any recent act, failure to act, or series of acts or failures to act by a perpetrator that creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury to or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child under 18 years of age. The law says that mandated reporters must immediately make a report or notify the person in charge. The person in charge or the designee must make a report of suspected child abuse immediately to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. Follow up with your supervisor to ensure that appropriate action has been taken.

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By submitting this form, I agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and any violation will be reviewed by the YMCA and, if necessary, appropriate action taken.*

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Name*

First Last

Signature*

Date*

Parent / Guardian (for volunteers under 18)

Purpose of Volunteer Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct