I.
SAFETY - a policy should guide the event or activity so that adequate
safety precautions are taken for both the individuals and the overall
event.
This can be include structure to curfews, freedom of movement while
participating in activity, use of space and equipment, design of experience
to ensure individual safety (physical safety), training of participants
and leaders for event (personal safety), behavior of participants
- could begin with journey to event, during event and returning from
event (group/member behavior).
II.
EDUCATION - a policy should provide an opportunity for leaders and
youth to learn how to participate in an event in a personally and
socially responsible way. It should also support a positive learning
environment.
This should include guidelines, which help the individuals learn how
to interact with others in a cooperative and supportive manner, accomplishing
the tasks of the event or group in a safe and appropriate way. Expectations
for individual behavior should be incorporated into pre-trip instructions,
pre-event planning time, debriefings, or reflection time. The opportunity
to understand the needs of the organization and event in assuring
a safe and successful experience should be provided to every participant.
Appropriate behavior should include both how the individual treats
him/herself, and others in the group, as it relates to the educational
goals of the activity or event. Participation in an event should be
preceded with a commitment from all individuals to use the physical
space in a safe manner, interact with others in a respectful manner
and participate in a responsible way in reflecting the overall goals
of the event or activity.
III.
LIABILITY - a policy should assist in protecting the organization
or event in assuring that the participants are engaging in activities,
which have been designed to ensure adequate and safe use.
This is to include physical safety (appropriate training of leaders,
safe use of physical space, appropriate use of equipment); personal
safety (proper use of chaperones, structure of free time, accountability
of group), behavior of group members (freedom from sexual, racial
or cultural harassment, violence, and use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco).
A.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
1.
CODE OF BEHAVIOR
The
general guideline for personal behavior at MINNESOTA 4-H sponsored
events and activities should be as follows: It is the goal of MINNESOTA
4-H to provide a fun, healthy and safe learning environment for youth
involved in activities and events sponsored by MINNESOTA 4-H. MINNESOTA
4-H strives to accomplish this goal by providing opportunities for
young people to learn new skills and ways to work with others. Team
building, creative thinking, service and sharing are important aspects
of any 4-H activity. The personal behavior of each participant is
important to the success of all MINNESOTA 4-H events. Individual behavior
shall reflect a healthy respect for self and others in use of language
and action. Group behavior shall include safe and appropriate use
of public space in a manner respectful of all individuals, including
participants and sponsoring organizations or entities. In order to
provide an optimal learning environment, participants will commit
to full participation in accomplishing the goals of the event. This
includes being on time, participating in the planned activities and
completing all tasks as necessary and appropriate for the completion
of the activity. Inappropriate behavior shall include but not be limited
to, abusive or profane language, clothing which is offensive to others
(logos, artwork that degrades others) or is inappropriate for the
occasion (clothes too tight, too open or not covering parts of the
body adequately), rude or destructive actions (taunting others, lighting
napkins on fire at a banquet, throwing food), littering or disobeying
requests by adults in charge to stop a minor, by inappropriate, action.
Depending on the nature of the behavior, the consequences shall range
from a verbal or written warning, reprimand, apology to removal from
activity or event.
2.
PARTICIPANT USE OF VEHICLES IN A 4-H EVENT
While
use of a vehicle to attend an event, or during participation in an
event, may be necessary, use of any vehicle for personal reasons while
participating in a 4-H event or activity is inappropriate unless arrangements
and agreements have been made between the (individual(s) and the adult(s)
in charge prior to use of the vehicle. Verbal or written permission
from parents or guardians will be required before an agreement can
be made between the youth and adult(s) in charge of the event. Duration
of trip, reason for trip and estimated time of return should be documented
after agreement has been reached. Consequences for leaving an event
in a vehicle without permission shall range from verbal and/or written
warning, reprimand, apology to removal from event, depending on the
severity of the situation.
3.
CONTACTING PARENTS AND/OR GUARDIANS
All
reasonable attempts will be made to contact parents or guardians of
individuals involved in disciplinary action while attending a 4-H
event or activity. A reasonable attempt is defined as the attempt
by the adults(s) in charge to contact the individuals(s) listed on
the health card as the emergency contact in a timely manner depending
on the severity of the incident. Prior to participation at a 4-H event
or activity, the person(s) to be contacted in an emergency, and where
they can be reached, shall be submitted to the adults in charge of
the event. If there will be times during the young person's participation
when the parent or guardian will be difficult or impossible to reach,
additional contacts shall be listed so that any contact needed can
be made in a safe and expedient way. This is particularly important
when the situation involves the personal safety of the individual
or when law authorities will be contacted.
B.
SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
There
are specific situations, which infringe on the safety and well being
of the individual participants, the group interaction and the success
of the event. These shall be defined, and consequences outlined, with
the intent of maintaining the integrity and safety of the event and
the participants involved. The decision and consequence of inappropriate
or illegal behavior shall include the involvement of all interested
or involved parties before action is taken. Involved parties are defined
as the violator, the victim, the adult(s) in charge, parents or guardian,
and/or law authorities. A reasonable attempt will be made to include
all persons relevant to the situation, the individuals involved and
the appropriate authorities.
1.
MOOD ALTERING SUBSTANCES
The
legal age for the consumption, purchase and possession of alcohol
is 21 in the State of Minnesota. Controlled substances such as cocaine,
marijuana, heroin, LSD, etc., are illegal to consume, purchase or
possess in Minnesota, regardless of age. Minnesota 4-H will abide
by these laws. Participation in a MINNESOTA 4-H event or activity
will include agreement by all participants to abide by these laws
and the guidelines se forth by MINNESOTA 4-H. This includes to and
from an event.
A.
Use and/or possession of alcohol and/or illegal controlled substances.
If
a participant is found to be using or in possession of either alcohol
or illegal substances, the law enforcement authorities will be contacted.
This activity is illegal and punishable under criminal sanctions.
The parents or guardians will also be contacted and arrangements will
be made to send the participant home. The individual will not be eligible
to continue participation in the activity or event.
There
may be situations where it is legal for a participant to consume,
use or possess alcohol or other controlled substances. (being in a
state with a lower drinking age or an international situation). It
is the policy of MINNESOTA 4-H that there will be no use of alcohol
or controlled substances in any 4-H sponsored event, regardless of
local laws or customs. It a participant is found to violate the agreement,
parents or guardians will be contacted and the participant will be
removed from the event. Travel expenses and arrangements will be incurred
by participant and family.
B.
Use of tobacco and mood altering substances.
Purchase,
possession or consumption of tobacco, which includes cigarettes, cigars
and chewing or smokeless tobacco, will not be permitted at a MINNESOTA
4-H event or activity. Mood altering substances, defined as any substance,
which is used to create an altered state of consciousness by the user,
will not be permitted. Examples of these substances include, but are
not limited to, glue, paint, nail polish, prescription drugs. Any
participant found to be using any of these substances will be subject
to one of the following disciplinary actions:
A
verbal or written warning or reprimand, with an agreement between
all parties that the activity will cease.
Depending
on the nature and frequency of the incident, parents and guardians
will be contacted and arrangements for removal from event will be
made. The individual will become ineligible to continue participation
in the event.
2.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
This
behavior is defined as verbal or physical actions by an individual
or individuals which causes intentional and forcible disruption in
the activity or involvement of the group. Behavior which singles out
an individual or individuals for unwanted and inappropriate teasing,
name calling, shoving, and taunting shall be defined as disruptive.
Behavior which intentionally prevents others from participation in
the group activity shall be defined as disruptive. Consequences are
as follows:
An
apology or restitution shall be agreed upon by all parties involved
for minor disruptive behavior, such as teasing.
If
there is a second incident with the same individual(s), parents or
guardians shall be contacted. If, after a reasonable attempt to confer
with of all involved parties, assurance can not be reached that the
behavior will cease, arrangements will be made to remove the individual(s)
from the event or activity.
If
the disruptive behavior involves the use or threat of violence, law
enforcement authorities will be contacted.
3.
PERSONAL SAFETY
Personal
safety is defined as the ability of an individual to feel safe from
verbal or physical abuse, from the threat of physical injury, or from
unwelcome actions, remarks or interactions from others. Some of these
actions occur without violence of physical injury, but can leave the
individual targeted feeling unwelcome, unsafe or unprotected. If the
impact of the incident makes the individual feel his/her personal
safety is in jeopardy, then action shall be taken to rectify the situation.
There are three areas of concern which will be defined as follows:
A.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal
abuse shall be defined as any spoken or written use of language in
an abusive, threatening, profane or obscene manner which degrades
an individual or individuals because of their race, religion, ethnic
background, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental handicaps.
Consequences for inappropriate actions which infringe upon or violate
an individual's personal safety are as follows:
An
apology, verbal or written warning or act of restitution can be sought,
if agreed upon by all involved parties.
If
there cannot be agreement with the individuals involved, parents and
guardians will be contacted. Further action shall include making arrangements
for removal of individual(s) in order to restore an appropriate level
of safety and cohesiveness.
B.
Violence
Violence
is the use of physical force against another with the intent to injure,
abuse, destroy or intimidate. Acts of violence can include, but not
limited to, pushing or shoving someone with the intent of causing
physical injury, forcing someone to do something against their will,
creating an environment in which another person feels for their safety.
If the intent, impact or result of action taken by one or more participants(s)
against another is established as an act of violence, parents and
guardians will be contacted, removal from event will be arranged and
law enforcement authorities will be called, if necessary. Individuals
involved will be ineligible to participate in the event.
C.
Use or possession of weapons
Weapons
are defined as instruments or items, used for offensive or defensive
action, which are capable of causing bodily harm or death. Examples
of weapons include, but are not limited to guns, knives, clubs, metal
knuckles, throwing stars, explosives, stun guns, ammunition, mace.
Use or possession of a weapon(s) at a MINNESOTA 4-H sponsored event
is inappropriate. There are, however, situations where an items, which
could potentially be used as a weapon, such as a knife or firearm,
may be used in an legitimate way for an activity or at an event. Unless
such items are identified with the appropriate adults in charge prior
to the event or activity, as part of the equipment for use at an event
or activity, it will be considered a weapon. If a participant is found
to be in possession or uses a weapon, this will be considered a serious
incident and law enforcement authorities will be contacted. Parents
or guardians will also be contacted and arrangements of removal from
the event will be made. The individual(s) will be ineligible to continue
participation in the event.
4.
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
Guidelines
for appropriate sexual behavior of all individuals, youth and adults,
at a MINNESOTA 4-H sponsored event or activity will be based on self-control,
healthy responsibility and respect for self and others, and conduct
which maintains the integrity and safety of oneself and others. Inappropriate
sexual behavior shall include, but not be limited to, three major
areas of concern and consequences.
A.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome verbal of physical advance,
unwelcome and/or coerced requests for sexual favors, unwanted and/or
unwelcome sexual physical contact.
B.
Sexual contact which occurs between a minor and adult is illegal and
will be dealt under the laws which protect minors.
C.
Public display of sexual affection/contact between individuals participating
in a MINNESOTA 4-H sponsored event is inappropriate. The degree of
consequence for inappropriate sexual behavior will depend on the seriousness
of the behavior. Sexual contact between a minor and an adult must
be reported to law authorities. Sexual harassment concerns should
be reported to the adults in charge, with parents, guardians and law
authorities contacted as necessary. Inappropriate public displays
of sexual affection/contact can involve a verbal and/or written warning,
reprimand, or request for behavior to cease in minor cases. If such
behavior continues, individuals involved shall be removed from the
event. All responsible attempts to contact and involve parents and
guardians shall be made to deal with these concerns in an expedient
and safe manner for all individuals involved.
