Child Safety Expectations

Our Commitment to You

At the YMCA of Southern Maine, our mission is to build an inclusive, healthy community, regardless of ability to pay. We are guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in everything we do. This Code of Conduct helps ensure that everyone who participates in our programs can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe, supportive environment.

The YMCA of Southern Maine has zero tolerance for abuse, mistreatment, or sexual activity among program participants. We are committed to providing all participants with a safe environment where everyone feels welcomed and valued. We will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of one participant by another participant. Behavior that rises to the level of abuse, mistreatment, or sexual activity will result in intervention or disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.

We also will not tolerate any behavior that is classified as bullying. When such actions are disruptive to our community, we will take the necessary steps to eliminate such behavior and restore a positive environment for all.

What We Expect From Each Other

Treating Others With Care and Respect

Our highest priority is keeping everyone in our community safe. Any form of abuse or mistreatment of participants, children, staff, or volunteers is strictly prohibited.

We ask that you:

• Treat all staff, volunteers, and other participants with the same care and respect you would want for yourself and your loved ones
• Use language that builds up rather than tears down—abusive, obscene, profane language, including racial, religious, or sexual references directed at others, has no place in our community
• Refrain from any verbal, emotional, or physical abuse or mistreatment of other participants, staff, or volunteers

Participants shall not engage in physical abuse or mistreatment of other participants, staff, or volunteers.

Building Healthy Relationships

We encourage participants to form positive friendships and connections within our programs. However, to maintain appropriate boundaries and ensure everyone's comfort:

• Romantic relationships between participants during programming are strongly discouraged
• Physical displays of affection such as holding hands, sitting on laps, full-frontal hugs, or kissing are not permitted while in our programs
• Under no circumstances should there be a romantic or personal relationship between a participant and a YMCA staff member or volunteer

Staying Connected Safely

One-on-one interactions: Most inappropriate behavior occurs when people are alone together. To protect everyone in our community, private one-on-one interactions between participants and staff/volunteers are prohibited unless approved in advance by program leadership. If you observe such interactions, please report them.

Electronic communication: Communication between staff/volunteers and participants must be approved by the YMCA's administration and a participant's parent/guardian and must occur in an open electronic environment. We follow the "Rule of Three" in all electronic communications—there should be at least two staff members included in text messages and emails with participants. Direct, private messaging between participants and staff/volunteers is not allowed.

Participants may not share cell phones with other participants and must follow our policies governing the use of personal mobile devices during programs.

Creating a Healthy Environment

Alcohol, drugs, and tobacco: We are committed to providing a healthy environment for everyone. Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages, drugs, and tobacco products while at the Y is strictly prohibited. Participants may not participate in any program while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Parents/guardians will be notified as appropriate.

Weapons: The Y is a place where everyone should feel safe. Weapons and items that may be considered weapons (including laser pointers) are prohibited. Anyone found in possession of such items will be required to leave and the items will be confiscated. Parents/guardians and/or authorities will be notified as appropriate.

Violence: We work hard to provide a safe environment for everyone in our community. Violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated at the YMCA of Southern Maine, on our grounds, in our facilities, in other facilities being utilized by our programs, or during YMCA-sponsored activities and events. Our staff are here to help resolve differences and conflicts in healthy, constructive ways.

Taking care of our space: We take pride in our facilities and want them to be welcoming spaces for everyone. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior that affects others' ability to enjoy our programs is not permitted. This includes graffiti, littering, spitting, or throwing objects that could harm others or cause disorder.

Preventing Bullying

We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The YMCA of Southern Maine will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of one participant by another participant.

What is bullying? Bullying is aggressive behavior that is intentional, repeated over time, and involves an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying can take many forms:

Physical bullying – Using physical force against another person, such as hitting, punching, pushing, kicking, pinching, or restraining

Verbal bullying – Using words to hurt another person, such as belittling, name-calling, or cruel teasing

Social/relational bullying – Manipulating relationships to harm another person through social exclusion, friendship manipulation, gossip, or intimidating gestures

Cyberbullying – Using technology to harm others through:

• Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images
• Posting sensitive, private information about another person
• Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad
• Intentionally excluding someone from an online group

Hazing – Any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers that person regardless of their willingness to participate

Sexualized bullying – Bullying that involves behaviors that are sexual in nature, including inappropriate messages, bullying involving exposure of private body parts, or verbal bullying involving sexual language or innuendos

Anyone who sees bullying and encourages it is also engaging in bullying behavior. This applies to all participants, staff, and volunteers.

How to Report Concerns

Because we are committed to maintaining zero tolerance for abuse and maintaining a safe environment for everyone, it's important that we all work together to protect each other. If you observe any suspicious, inappropriate, or concerning behaviors by other participants, staff, or volunteers, it is important to report them immediately.

Ways to report:

• Speak with your program director at your branch
• Share your concerns with your Branch Executive or our CEO
• Use our anonymous Concern Reporting Form

Remember: We take all reports seriously and will respond promptly and appropriately to protect everyone in our community. You will not face retaliation for making a good faith report, and we will work to maintain confidentiality whenever possible.