Geary Family YMCA of Fostoria Youth Sports Coach Application

Transcription

1 Geary Family YMCA of Fostoria Youth Sports Coach Application First Name Last Name Social Security Number Street Address City Zip Code Home Phone Business/Cell Phone Date of Birth My child s name(s) which I want to coach Child s Age(s) It is the policy of the Geary Family YMCA that each and every person who coaches YMCA youth sports must be subject random background checks. These are done through Social Security numbers as a means to randomly check backgrounds for non-traffic convictions, especially convictions involving violence against people including children and drug offenses. This information will be kept safe and secure in locked files. This information appears on no mailing or other list. If you choose not to provide your Social Security number, you will not be able to coach. Additionally, you may be required to be finger printed at the request of the YMCA. Previous residence(s) in the last 5 years: 1. Have you ever been convicted of a crime of violence against another person? YES NO 2. Have you ever been convicted of a drug offense? YES NO 3. Have you ever been involved in substantiated abuse or neglect of children or adults? YES NO 4. Are there any non-traffic charges pending against you now? YES NO I understand that: a. It is the intent of the Geary Family YMCA to deny any person who has been convicted of a crime of violence against a person, or a drug offense, the opportunity to coach and/or be in contact with any youth. b. In applying to be a YMCA youth coach, the information, which I have furnished, on this form is subject to verification, which may include a criminal history check. c. This disclosure statement must be updated for each sport season a volunteer intends to volunteer for. d. I may be asked to be fingerprinted in order to do a background check. I certify that all information contained in this application is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge. I indemnify and hold harmless all persons either providing or receiving information, verbal, or written, pursuant to this application. Signature Printed Name Date

2 Code of Conduct for YMCA Staff and Volunteers 1. In order to protect YMCA employees and volunteers (hereafter referred to as staff ), as well as program participants, it is advisable that at not time during a YMCA program a Staff individual be alone with a single child where they cannot be observed by others. As Staff supervise children, they should space themselves in a way that other Staff can see them. 2. Staff shall never leave a child unsupervised. 3. Restroom supervision: Staff will make sure the restroom is not occupied by suspicious or unknown individuals before allowing children to use the facilities. Staff will stand in the doorway while children are using the restroom. If Staff is assisting younger children, doors to the facility must remain open. No child regardless of age should ever enter a restroom alone on a field trip. Always send children in pairs, and whenever possible, with Staff. 4. Staff should conduct or supervise private activities in pairs: diapering, changing clothes, showering, etc. When this is not feasible, Staff should be positioned so that they are visible to others. 5. Staff shall not abuse children including: a. Physical abuse: strike, spank, shake, slap b. Verbal abuse: humiliate, degrade, threaten c. Sexual abuse: inappropriate touch or verbal exchange d. Mental abuse: shame, withhold love, cruelty, etc. e. Neglect: withhold food, water, basic care, etc. Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and may be cause for immediate dismissal. 6. Staff should use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement, rather than competition, comparison and criticism. Staff will have age appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline. Physical restraint is used only in pre-determined situations (necessary to protect the child or other children from harm), is only administered in a prescribed manner and must be documented in writing. See attached discipline policy for additional information. 7. Staff respond to children with respect and consideration and treats all children equally regardless of sex, race, religion and culture. 8. Staff will respect children s rights not to be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable, and their right to say no. Other than diapering, children are not to be touched on areas of there bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit. 9. Staff shall refrain from intimate displays of affection towards others in the presence of children, parents and staff 10. While the YMCA does not discriminate against individuals lifestyles, it does require that in the performance of their job, they will abide by the standards of conduct set forth by the YMCA. 11. Staff must appear clean, neat and appropriately attired.

3 12. Staff with identified substance problems will be required to seek treatment and rehabilitation. Staff found in possession of, selling, or distributing dangerous controlled substances, or involved in substance abuse on the job, will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities, and, if a volunteer, may be asked to resign, and, if an employee, will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 13. Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited. 14. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one s personal life, and any kind of harassment in the presence of children or parents is prohibited. 15. Staff must be free of physical and psychological conditions that might adversely affect children s physical or mental health. If in doubt, an expert should be consulted. 16. Staff will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity. 17. Adult Staff, age 18 and over, may not date program participants under the age of Staff are required to read and sign all policies relating to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse and attend training on the subject, as instructed by a supervisor. 19. Sexual harassment is viewed as a form of Staff conduct that will not be tolerated. All Staff must be allowed to work in an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcomed sexual overtones. Sexual harassment is defined as behavior that is unwelcomed and personally offensive. I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in termination. Staff Signature Supervisor Signature Date

4 Geary Family YMCA Philosophy The primary purpose of the Geary Family YMCA is to promote the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of all persons. The YMCA s involvement in sports has been one of means of teaching Christian ideals, values, and behavior based on this purpose. Sports in the YMCA have never been an end in itself, but rather a vehicle for achieving a much more global purpose: values education. Values education is an integral part of the National YMCA Program. The values of fair play are strongly emphasized along with respect for oneself, for the opponent, and for official game rules. All of these fair play values contribute to an attitude toward sports which keeps winning in perspective, that is, only one goal among other important goals. YMCA sports emphasize broad participation rather than specialization. Appropriately, the Y s motto is: Everybody plays, everybody wins! Central themes in YMCA sports philosophy are: Teaching, fundamental skills, encouraging lifetime involvement in physical activity, and strengthening the values of fitness, health, self-respect and respect for others. Coaches, officials, administrators, and parents must create an environment in which competitors achieve this ultimate objective: developing into true Christian athletes. YMCA Values Education More important than winning are the lessons to be learned from competitive sports: 1. Respect for oneself 2. Respect for others 3. Self-discipline 4. Responsibility as a team member 5. Development of leadership 6. Self-Confidence 7. Concern for physical fitness 8. Lifetime involvement in sports and wellness Competitive sports participants learn by example. Coaches, parents, officials, and administrators should be the best possible example.

5 Geary Family YMCA Youth Sports Purpose - To provide an opportunity for children to learn the basic fundamentals of the sport, good sportsmanship, Christian values, teamwork, and to meet new friends and have fun. To achieve these goals, YMCA youth sports programs will: 1. Have all players play at least one-half of the game. 2. Coaches should call all players by their first name. 3. Players should play a variety of positions, not always the same position. 4. The best and worst players should not be singled out. 5. Everyone should be treated equally and with respect. 6. If there are discipline problems with any child, the coach should speak with the parents of the child about the problem. If the problem needs immediate action and the parents are not around, the child can be made to sit out of the practice for as long as necessary. Discipline should never be in the form of running laps, doing push-ups, or any type of exercise. See attached discipline policy. 7. While a reassuring hug or assistance with an injury may require physical contact with a child, adult coaches and leaders should never touch anyone in anyway that could possibly be judged as abusive or against an individuals will, this includes: Physical abuse: strike, spank, shake, etc Verbal abuse: humiliate, degrade, threaten, etc Sexual abuse: inappropriate touch or verbal exchange Mental abuse: shaming, withholding love, cruelty Neglect- withholding food, water, basic care, etc 8. We realize that the players will know the score of the game, but we will not keep the score and celebrate who won the game. We also do not keep win/loss records, do not keep team standings, do not have end of the season playoffs and do not have a league champion. We want every player to feel they have won ; by having tried their best, improved from last game, made new friends, exercised their body and had fun.

6 YMCA Volunteer Expectations 1. Volunteers are expected to accept and understand the basic mission of the YMCA, and to behave in a manner which supports the organizations mission. 2. Volunteer coaches are expected to be positive role models for the youth on their teams by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity. 3. Smoking, the use of tobacco, and profanity in the presence of children is prohibited. 4. Volunteer coaches are never to leave a child unattended at a practice or game. Coaches are to wait until the last child is picked up 5. Volunteer coaches shall not abuse children including: Physical abuse: strike, spank, shake, etc Verbal abuse: humiliate, degrade, threaten, etc Sexual abuse: inappropriate touch or verbal exchange Mental abuse: shaming, withholding love, cruelty Neglect- withholding food, water, basic care, etc 6. Parents of children should be encouraged to assist with the team, and to stay and watch practices and games. Coaches should do everything they can to never be alone with a child. 7. Volunteer coaches should use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement, rather than competition, comparison, and criticism. See attached discipline policy. 8. Volunteer coaches are covered by the YMCA s liability insurance while conducting activities on behalf of the YMCA. The liability coverage is provided with the expectation that covered personnel use common sense and good judgment. Committing a negligent or intentional wanton and intentional negligent act may invalidate YMCA liability coverage of a volunteer. 9. Program participants are not covered by the YMCA for injury or accident. Any medical needs are to be covered by the individual or the individual s insurance.

7 Geary Family YMCA Youth Discipline Policy for Competitive/Youth Sports Steps to be taken in instances of rule violations and/or discipline problems. Step 1. Step 2. Step 3. Step 4. Verbal warning with possible consequences* mentioned. Child asked to leave that particular activity. Parents and program director notified. Child suspended for days, after consultation with parents and Program director. Longer suspension or possible removal from activity, after consultation with parents and program director. Note: Sequence of steps taken may vary depending on the severity of the problem. *Possible consequences: - Sitting out from activity for 5-10 minutes - Loss of free time or turn - Loss of participation privileges Do s and Don ts 1. Physical contact will be in the form of positive reinforcement only 2. All verbal warnings and reprimands to be done in private, with child and a witness present. 3. Punishment should never be in the form of exercise. For example, running laps, push-ups or sit-ups.