The intent of the Montana YMCA Youth and Government Code of Conduct is to explain personal behavior for participants and advisors consistent with the purpose and objectives of the Youth and Government Program.
The items within this code are designed to protect participants and safeguard the integrity of the program for current and future generations.
It is understood that advisors of local Youth and Government delegations are responsible for the conduct and welfare of their members at all local, regional and statewide functions.
All advisors may exercise disciplinary authority over any participant at regional and statewide functions if needed.
Participants and advisors are encouraged to support one another in upholding the code and avoiding infractions. Everyone will be asked to affirm their commitment to uphold this code.
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The Code of Conduct
1. Participants and advisors shall conduct themselves in an orderly and responsible manner at all times. Each person will participate productively on an intellectual, social and emotional level showing respect for: self and others, the democratic process, the mission of the YMCA, their delegation, and the Youth and Government Program.
2. Harassment or intimidation through words, gestures, body language or other menacing behavior will not be tolerated at any Youth and Government function.
3. No individual shall engage in personal attacks, verbal or otherwise, nor use profanity or other offensive language, even with responding to views with which they do not agree.
4. Participants and advisors will attend all sessions and activities unless specific arrangements are made for exceptional reasons. No participant shall leave without approval of his/her advisor and notification of the State Director.
5. Transportation of participants is the responsibility of advisors, parents or legal guardians. Participants may not use personal automobiles without the express written permission of their delegation advisor and their parent or legal guardian.
6. Each participant is legally and financially liable for removal, defacement or damage of public or private property. This includes the property of other participants, advisors, staff, schools, the Capitol, businesses, and lodging facilities.
7. Historic preservation of the State Capitol is of utmost importance. Continued use of the Capitol depends upon its proper treatment.
Therefore:
a) Behavior with the potential to damage the furnishings or equipment of the Capitol is not allowed.
b) Materials and property in the Capitol must not be relocated, removed or tampered with in any manner.
c) Food and drink at the Capitol may only be consumed in specifically designated areas of the building.
d) Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building. This rule includes adults.
e) Materials are not to be taped , tacked or otherwise attached to walls, desks, or any other surface of the Capitol except in specifically designated areas.
f) Participants and advisors are to show the utmost respect to all individuals visiting or working at the Capitol and the Capitol Complex.
8. Identification badges must be worn by all participants and advisors during all functions. No one will be admitted to any function without a name tag.
9. Possession or use of tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances or weapons is not permitted 24 hours a day during all days of the Montana YMCA Youth and Government Session and related programs.
10. Non-participants are not permitted at any activity without the express consent of the State Program staff.
11. Keeping with the model nature of the program, materials from "real" political campaigns outside the Youth and Government program are not to be worn, displayed or distributed during the program. This rule only affects issues or candidates that are going to appear on real ballots.
12. Outside guests at lodging facilities are not permitted without the express consent of the delegation advisor and the participant's parent or legal guardian.
13. Participants shall not leave lodging facilities without permission from their advisors.
14. Participants and advisors lodging at Fort Harrison are required to follow all regulations set by Fort Harrison management.
15. Curfews and additional rules for participants while they occupy lodging facilities will be set and enforced by delegation advisors.
16. This code serves as a minimum standard for behavior. If there is a conflict between school/delegation rules and this code, participants and advisors are to observe the stricter set.
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Consequences
This code is enforced with a series of potential consequences for infractions, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. In ascending order, they include:
A. Discussion of infraction with adult advisors or staff
B. Suspension from specific activities
C. Specialized consequence at discretion of Staff or Advisor
D. Loss of position or privileges
E. Call to parents, legal guardian or school officials
F. Expulsion from program/Send home (at own expense)
G. Summon Law Enforcement
Enforcement Guidelines
Code violations should be handled as follows:
1. Code infractions by individuals within one's delegation should be handled by their own advisors whenever possible.
2. Code infractions by individuals outside one's delegation should first be brought to the attention of that delegation's advisor(s) before state program staff.
3. Code infractions may be brought to the state director when they are not, cannot or should not be handled within a delegation by its own advisors.
4. If 911 is called, the state program staff must be notified immediately after the call is made.
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YMCA Mission and Character Development
Mission Statement:
"The Helena Family YMCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to building self-esteem and enriching spirit, mind and body for persons of all ages and economic levels."
Character Development is an important part of what the YMCA is all about. The YMCA Challenge to Youth and Government participants is to accept and demonstrate the positive values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
Here are some examples of how these values are lived:
Caring:
¥ To love others
¥ To be sensitive to the well-being of others
¥ To help others
Honesty:
¥ To tell the truth
¥ To act in such a way to be worthy of trust
¥ To have integrity; making sure your actions match your values
Respect:
¥ To treat others as you would have them treat you.
¥ To value the worth of every person, including yourself
Responsibility:
¥ To do what you ought to do
¥ To be accountable for your behavior and obligations
Dress Code
Attire reflects both personal attitude and the quality, purpose and dignity of the program.
¥ The dress code applies to advisors as well as participants. Advisors are expected to enforce the dress code within their own delegations.
¥ Clothing at all events should be clean and in good repair.
¥ At the State Capitol, professional attire is required. Casual clothes are not permitted, including shorts, jeans, printed T-Shirts, and items with visible holes or ragged edges. Shoelaces must be tied.
¥ Suits or jackets are encouraged for everyone, but not mandatory.
¥ All men/boys must wear collared shirts tucked in and long pants. Ties are encouraged.
¥ All women/girls must wear either skirts or pants with appropriate top, dresses, or pantsuits.
¥ Casual wear is acceptable during Y-Nite.
¥ Costumes are not allowed. Judicial robes may be worn by authorized participants.
¥ Individuals may wear small buttons, badges, ribbons or other insignia related to Youth and Government activities. However, content must reflect the letter and spirit of the Youth and Government Code of Conduct.
¥ Semi-formal or professional attire is appropriate at the Governor's Banquet.
¥ Exceptions to this policy may be considered by the state office on a case by case basis.