Youth Employee or Youth Volunteer Code of Conduct

Children and vulnerable adults depend on the community at large to help keep them protected and safe. As a youth volunteer or employee, I have a role and responsibility in promoting a healthy and safe environment for children and vulnerable adults as well as for my peers and the adults in our community. I pledge to witness in word and example my discipleship in Jesus and model a life consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church, promoting through my own choices and behaviors a way to love God and neighbor as self.

As a youth volunteer or youth employee, I will:

Treat everyone with respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, and dignity through my behavior, language, and dress.

Treat all property and materials with respect.

Maintain a positive attitude and spirit rather than one colored by criticism, sarcasm, competition, or comparison, when working with children, vulnerable adults, peers, and other adults.

Uphold all guidelines, rules, or requirements as set forth by the ministry supervisor and the program in which I am serving.

Avoid situations where I am alone with children, vulnerable adults, other young people, or other adults.

Inform the ministry supervisor, principal, pastor, or parish director if a child, vulnerable adult, peer, or other adult gives me a gift.

Refrain from giving expensive gifts to children, vulnerable adults, my peers, or other adults without prior written approval from the parents or guardians and ministry supervisor, principal, pastor, or parish director.

Report any suspected abuse to the ministry supervisor, principal, pastor or parish director, or if necessary, the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator at (920) 437-7531 or toll-free 1-877-500-3580 or mail to P.O. Box 23825, Green Bay, WI 54305.

When acting as a youth volunteer or youth employee, I will not:

Possess any weapon, tobacco product, alcohol, any illegal drug or sexually explicit material.

Use profanity, humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade any child, vulnerable adult, peer, or other adult.

Touch a child, vulnerable adult, peer, or other adult in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.

I understand that as a youth volunteer or youth employee serving children, vulnerable adults, peers, or other adults, I agree to participate in all training as requested by my ministry supervisor, principal, pastor, or parish director. I pledge to adhere to this Code of Conduct and I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code or failure to take action outlined in this Code of may result in my removal as a youth volunteer or employee.

Youth Volunteer/Youth Employee’s Printed Name Youth Volunteer/Youth Employee’s Signature (date)

Parent of Youth Volunteer/Youth Employee Printed Name Parent of Youth Volunteer/Youth Employee Signature (date)

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Approved by Bishop Zubik 6/10/2004 LoSEC Manual/Safe Environment/8-2004/4-3