NCYC Adult Code of Conduct

EXCERPTED FROM SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN: NFCYM POLICIES FOR PROTECTING YOUNG PEOPLE 

Young people are the most important gifts God entrusts to us. As an adult participant in an NFCYM-sponsored youth event or program, I promise to strictly follow these policies and the following standards as a condition of my providing services to either to my diocese/organization and/or NFCYM. 

I WILL: 

Conduct myself in a manner that exhibits the highest Christian ethical standards and avoids even the appearance of impropriety, and therefore I will: 

1. Report suspected abuse of any minor to the appropriate authorities. 

2. Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of minors. 

3. Develop and maintain the level of skill required to be competent. 

4. Be knowledgeable of and adhere to all applicable aspects of Safeguarding God’s Children: NFCYM Policies for Protecting Young People. (http://www.nfcym.org/youthprotection/index.htm) 

5. Complete training in youth protection in my diocese or, if not available in my diocese, through the Boy Scouts of America’s on-line training/certification program. 

6. Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration. 

7. Honor the equality of all people, avoiding all forms of discrimination and respecting the dignity of each person without regard to economic status, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or mental abilities. 

8. Use positive reinforcement and communication rather than criticism, unhealthy competition, or comparison. 

9. Become thoroughly familiar with the objectives and guidelines of the program in which I am participating and strive to achieve these objectives and communicate them appropriately. 

10. Be aware of and adhere to emergency plans and evacuation routes appropriate to the program in which I am participating. 

11. Be responsible and/or accountable for stewardship of all resources entrusted to my care. 

12. Uphold the authority of those responsible for the program or activity in which I am participating and assist them in every way to encourage learning and to conduct fair and impartial events. 

13. Avoid situations where I am alone with minors, always following the two adult rule. 

14. Avoid any form of excessive familiarity, inappropriate language, or any situation and conduct that exploits or could give the appearance of exploiting another. 

15. Follow practices that consistently exhibit no tolerance for any form of abusive behavior. 

16. Follow practices that demonstrate appropriate relationships between all NFCYM personnel and minors that are important for a child’s development and a positive part of ministry. 

I WILL NOT: 

1. Use physical affection to initiate inappropriate contact with minors. 

2. Touch a minor in a sexual or other inappropriate manner. 

3. Smoke or use tobacco products in the presence of minors. 

4. Purchase tobacco products for or distribute tobacco products to minors. 

5. Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol while supervising minors or while participating in an NFCYM youth event. Adult Code of Conduct, NFCYM, INC (09-08) 2 

6. Purchase alcohol for or distribute alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 years. 

7. Use, purchase, possess, distribute, or be under the influence of illegal drugs at any time. 

8. Purchase, download, possess, or distribute pornography. 

9. Pose any known health risk to minors (i.e., no fevers or other contagious situations). 

10. Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, demean, nor degrade minors or others nor tolerate such behavior in the environment for which I am responsible. 

11. Use physical discipline in any way for behavior management of minors. No form of physical discipline is acceptable. This includes but is not limited to spanking, slapping, pinching, shaking, hitting or any other physical force as retaliation or correction for inappropriate behavior of a minor. 

12. Use profanity in any form in the presence of minors. 

I have read Safeguarding God’s Children(http://www.nfcym.org/youthprotection/index.htm), understand its meaning, and agree to conduct myself in accordance with its terms. 

I hereby represent that I am not currently being investigated for, nor have I ever been convicted of a disqualifying offense as defined in Safeguarding God’s Children: NFCYM Policies for Protecting Young People; I have never been terminated from employment or a volunteer position for reasons related to allegations of physical or sexual abuse by me; nor have I sought or received any medical, physical, or psychological treatment for reasons involving physical or sexual abuse by me. 

I understand that should my response to any of the statements above change, I am obligated to inform my diocese/organization/ NFCYM immediately. Moreover, I understand that should I admit to, plead no contest to, or be found guilty of an incident of sexual misconduct or other disqualifying offense, or if it appears that an alleged claim is substantiated; my services with NFCYM-sponsored youth events shall be immediately terminated. Further, I understand that my failure to agree to and abide by the Adult Code of Conduct will bar me from participation in any NFCYM-sponsored youth event. 

NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY 

NFCYM.ORG | 202.636.3825 

NCYC Youth Code of Conduct

EXCERPTED FROM SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN: NFCYM POLICIES FOR PROTECTING YOUNG PEOPLE YOUTH PARTICIPANTS WILL: 

• Project an image of Christian consideration, sensitivity, and respect to everyone and to the property around them through language, dress, and behavior

• Refrain from inappropriate touching and verbal harassment

• Respect other persons and/or property

• Refrain from actions that could result in injury and/or damage to property

• Adhere to stated curfew

• Wear appropriate credentials in order to gain and maintain access to NFCYM events and activities

• Keep their personal belongings with them at all times

• Attend all scheduled activities, arriving promptly, and staying for the entire event

• Be aware of noise levels in lobbies, hallways, and sleeping areas, especially later in the evenings

• Maintain the spirit of the event

• Report problems of an kind to a trusted adult 

YOUTH PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT: 

• Possess weapons of any kind

• Purchase, possess, consume, or distribute alcohol

• Purchase, possess, consume, or distribute illegal drugs

• Engage in any form of sexual activity or peer sexual harassment

• Purchase, download, possess, or distribute pornography

• Visit or gather in hotel rooms with the opposite gender Youth participants will be aware of what are and are not appropriate behaviors in terms of relationships between adults and youth, and with their peers: 

THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOURS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE AT AN NFCYM EVENT: 

• Side hugs

• Shoulder to shoulder or “temple” hugs

• Handshakes

• “High-fives” and hand slapping

• Verbal praise for a job well-done (not regarding physical attributes)

• Touching hands, faces (usually in context of a blessing), shoulders, and arms of minors

• Arms around shoulders

• Holding hands while walking with younger minors

• Sitting beside younger minors

• Kneeling or bending down for hugs with younger minors

• Holding hands during prayer

• Pats on the head when culturally appropriate 

THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOURS ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE AT AN NFCYM EVENT: 

• Inappropriate or lengthy embraces

• Kisses on the mouth

• Holding children on the lap who are capable of sitting on their own

• Touching bottoms, chests, or genital areas

• Showing affection in isolated areas of a facility such as bedrooms, restrooms, bathrooms, closets, staff-only areas, or other private rooms

• Being in or on a bed with an adult

• Touching knees or legs of minors

• Wrestling with minors 

• Tickling minors

• Piggyback rides

• Any type of massage given by minor to adult or another minor

• Any type of massage given by adult to minor

• Any form of unwanted affection or peer sexual harassment

• Compliments or put downs that relate to physique or body development

• Going to an isolated area away from the group, or being taken to an isolated area by an adult or peer 

If a problem of any kind occurs during an NFCYM‐sponsored youth event, young people will immediately go to a trusted adult to discuss the matter. 

Youth and parents understand that failure to agree to and abide by the Youth Code of Conduct will bar youth from participation in any NFCYM-sponsored youth event. 

For the most part, NFCYM never has direct responsibility for chaperoning the conduct of youth participants in its programming and events. NFCYM relies on group leaders from participants’ home dioceses or other chaperones to ensure that every young person attending an NFCYM-sponsored event is aware of the Youth Code of Conduct and the sanctions for non-compliance. Group leaders, chaperones, and/or parents bear the responsibility for sharing this information with youth participants. Their failure to do so does not excuse any inappropriate behavior on the part of youth participants nor does it affect NFCYM’s ability to levy sanctions. Youth participants are held to the Youth Code of Conduct regardless. 

If a young person violates the Youth Code of Conduct, any or all of the following sanctions may be implemented: 

• Reporting of misconduct to local authorities, if the violation in any way violates local ordinances or laws. 

• Dismissal of the youth from the NFCYM event or program by requesting that the group leader remove the youth from the event (whereby it would become the responsibility of the group leader/chaperone/parent to ensure timely, accompanied, and safe transportation home). 

NATIONAL FEDERATION FOR CATHOLIC YOUTH MINISTRY 

NFCYM.ORG | 202.636.3825