Code of Conduct

The HOPKINS COUNTY FAMILY YMCA is committed to the highest possible standards of financially ethical, moral and legal business conduct. The YMCA requires directors, officers, employees and volunteers to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. All representatives of the YMCA must practice honesty and integrity in fulfilling their responsibilities and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Taking action to prevent problems and improper conduct is part of the YMCA's culture, and it is the responsibility of all directors, officers, employees and volunteers to report the knowledge or suspicion of breaches in legal and ethical conduct. The YMCA urges employees and others involved with the YMCA to come forward with any such information, without regard to the identity or position of a suspected offender.

In line with this commitment and the YMCA's commitment to open communication, the HOPKINS COUNTY FAMILY YMCA has selected Ethics Point to provide you with simple, risk-free ways to anonymously and confidentially report activities that might involve criminal conduct or violations of the YMCA's policies and procedures. All reports submitted through Ethics Point will be handled promptly and discreetly with the objective of correcting the situation being reported.

Individuals filing reports through Ethics Point may choose to identify themselves in their report or remain completely anonymous. To the extent possible, all reports are kept confidential. No retaliatory action on the part of the YMCA will be taken against individuals filing reports or seeking guidance on how to handle potential breaches of conduct.

Prior to making a report to Ethics Point, you should make your best effort to resolve your concern through the YMCA's administrative process and/or supervisory management. Staff members are always free and encouraged to contact the Vice President of Human Resources for further advice and counsel in these matters. However, if the situation involves suspected illegal and/or unethical activity that you are not comfortable addressing directly, you are free to report the circumstances directly to Ethics Point.

Ethics Point is NOT a 911 or Emergency Service:
Do not use this site to report events presenting an immediate threat to life or property. Reports submitted through this service may not receive an immediate response. If you require emergency assistance, please contact your local authorities.

Code of Conduct for YMCA Staff and Volunteers 

1. To protect YMCA staff, volunteers, and program members, at no time during a YMCA program may a staff person be alone with a single child where he or she cannot be observed by others. As staff supervise children, they should space themselves in such a way that other staff can see them.
2. You shall never leave a child unsupervised.
3. Rest-room supervision: You will make sure the rest room is not occupied by suspicious or unknown individuals before allowing children to use the facilities. You will stand in the doorway of the rest room while children are using the rest room. This policy allows privacy for the children and protection for you (not being alone with a child). If you are assisting younger children, doors to the facility must remain open. No child, regardless of age, should ever enter a bathroom alone on a field trip or at other off-site location. Always take children in groups or, whenever possible, with you and two "buddies".
4. You should conduct or supervise private activities in pairs—diapering, putting on bathing suits, taking showers, and so on. When this is not feasible, you should be positioned so that they are visible to others.
5. You shall not abuse children in any way, including: physical abuse—striking, spanking, shaking, slapping; and so on; verbal abuse—humiliating, degrading, threatening; and so on; sexual abuse—touching or speaking inappropriately; mental abuse—shaming, withholding kindness, being cruel, and so on; or neglect—withholding food, water, or basic care.
No type of abuse will be tolerated and may be cause for immediate dismissal.
6. You must use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism. You will have age- appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline. Physical restraint is used only in predetermined situations (when necessary to protect the child or other children from harm), administered only in a prescribed manner, and must be documented in writing.
7. You will conduct a health check of each child upon his or her arrival each time the program meets, noting any fever, bumps, bruises, burns, and so on. Questions or comments will be addressed to the parent or child in a non-threatening way. You will document any questionable marks or responses.
8. You will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of sex, race, religion, culture, economic level of the family, or disability.
9. You will respect children's rights to not be touched or looked at 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 their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit.
10. You will refrain from intimate displays of affection toward others in the presence of children, parents, and staff.
11. You are not to transport children in your own vehicles or allow youth participants old enough to drive to transport younger children in the program.
12. You must appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired.
13. Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours is prohibited.
14. Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited.
15. Possession or use of any type of weapon or explosive device is prohibited.
16. Using YMCA computers to access pornographic sites, send e-mails with sexual overtones or otherwise inappropriate messages, or develop online relationships is not allowed.
17. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one's personal life, and any kind of harassment in the presence of children, parents, volunteers, or other staff is prohibited.
18. You may not be alone or communicate with children you meet in YMCA programs outside the YMCA. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, driving or riding in cars, inviting children to their homes, text messaging, e-mailing, or any online communication. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to prior administrator approval.
19. You must be free of physical and psychological conditions that might adversely affect the children's physical or mental health. If in doubt, an expert should be consulted.
20. You will portray a positive role model for youth by maintaining an attitude of loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact, and maturity.
21. You should not give excessive gifts (e.g., TV, video games, jewelry) to youth.
22. You may not date program participants or other employees who are under the age of 18.
23. Under no circumstances should you release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written parent authorization on file with the YMCA).
24. You are to report to a supervisor any other employee or volunteer who violates any of the policies listed in this Code of Conduct.
25. You are required to read and sign all policies related to identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse and attend trainings on the subject, as instructed by a supervisor.
26. You will act in a caring, honest, respectful, and responsible manner consistent with the mission of the YMCA.
27. Any shirt or item provided to you by the YMCA that demonstrates a position of authority by representing you as a staff member, coach, mentor, volunteer or the like, will be returned to the YMCA or destroyed by you once that relationship to the YMCA ends.
28. YMCA staff may not present themselves as representatives of the YMCA when advertising or soliciting social contacts. Specifically, they may not refer to the YMCA on any social solicitation websites.