Rotary District 5280 Youth Protection Information 2009-10

1. Rotary District 5280 Youth Protection Information 2009-10

2. Statement of Conduct for Working with Youth Rotary International is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, Rotarians’ spouses, partners, and other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse of children and young people with whom they come into contact.

3. SAFEGUARD AND SUPPORTROTARY PROGRAMS • Youth Exchange • Interact Clubs • Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) • District and Club Four-Way Speech, Art and Music Contests • Rotaract Clubs • Ambassadorial Scholars • Group Study Exchange

4. PREVENTION TOOLS • Youth Protection Policy • Training and Awareness • Support and Communication • Selection and Screening • Program Participants

5. YOUTH SUPPORT SYSTEM • District Governor • District Risk Management Committee • District Youth Protection Officers • Senior Assistant Governor Youth Activities • District Youth Exchange Officers • Club President • Club Youth Exchange Officer • Rotarian Counselor • Host Families • Parents • Students

6. DISTRICT YOUTH PROTECTION OFFICERS For Issues and Concerns Relating to Personal Safety Dave Harris Val Velasco harrisassoc@earthlink.net vvelasco@aol.com 310 318-3700 wk 310-821-7890 wk 310 722-1563 cell 310-908-8921 cell

7. R I GUIDELINES • Zero-tolerance against abuse and harassment. • Requires investigation into any claims. • Any adult with an allegation must be removed from all contact with youth until resolved. • Any allegation of abuse must be reported. • Termination of membership • Convicted Non-Rotarian is prohibited from working with youth in a Rotary context. • Club sanctions for failure to remove member

8. RI CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Adopt a District Youth Protection Policy Develop training program for clubs and students Develop screening process for adults Outline process for student protection Establish process for allegation investigation Obtain District and Club Certification

9. DISTRICT 5280 GUIDELINES Adopted zero-tolerance policy Implement a District Youth Protection Policy Develop a code of behavior Provide a screening program Complete allegation reports in a timely reports Prevent contact with persons prohibited by law from working with children

10. SCOPE OF PROTECTION POLICY Applies to all District 5280 Rotarians and Volunteers who are district or club Interact Leaders and Advisors Youth Exchange Chairs Club Counselors Chaperones or Host Families Applies to all adults age 18 and older who reside in the home of a host family.

11. TRAINING All participating volunteers participate in one training session every year. Training provided by District Youth Protection Officers, District Youth Exchange Chairman or District Youth Advisors. Documents provided annually Annual screening

12. CLUBS RESPONSIBILITIES Annual Club Certification Youth Volunteer Affidavits annually Club youth protection policy training program Host family screening and training process Procedures of student situation removal Follow reporting guidelines List of crisis support services in the community

13. YOUTH PROTECTION POLICY Do Treat students with respect - be aware of voice tone and manner Plan activities to minimize situations where abuse may occur. Attempt to have chaperone of the same gender. Avoid situations where one child is supervised by one adult. Communicate with District Youth Protection Officer any allegations or with questions

14. YOUTH PROTECTION POLICY DO NOT Engage in any behaviors, either directly or indirectly that are unprofessional, unethical, illegal, immoral or exploitative. Use physical force in any way, especially as a form of punishment. Touch a student in any way that could be interpreted as intrusive or sexual. Spend excessive time alone with a student, this may lead to misunderstanding.

15. ROTARIAN VOLUNTEER Understand and comply with Rotary International and District 5280 guidelines for Youth programs. Basic Screening – RYEd5280.volunteerportal.net Complete the Volunteer Affidavit. Undergo personal interviews Undergo a criminal background check

16. HOST FAMILY REQUIREMENTS Commit to the safety and security of students Provide adequate accommodations Complete a written application Home visit must be conducted for each family All host family members age 18 and over residing in the home must meet the selection and screening guidelines.

17. COUNSELOR SCREENING In addition to volunteer requirements: Counselors must not be a member of the student’s host family. Counselors shall be trained in responding to problems or concerns which may include instances of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or harassment.

18. STUDENT SELECTION All participating students shall: Complete a written application and interview Attend all district and club orientation and training sessions. All parents of participating students must: Be interviewed to help determine the student’s suitability for participation. At least one parent or legal guardian shall attend outbound orientation

19. THE BIG “D’S” Students are prohibited from: Drinking Driving Drugs Dating Delinquency Downloading Disfigurement

20. Violations will result in the student immediately returning to their home country.

21. DEFINITIONS OF ABUSE Emotional or verbal abuse: The use of fear, humiliation or derogatory statements about race, religion or personal appearance. Physical abuse: Mistreatment by use of physical contact to cause pain, injury, suffering or harm. Neglect: Failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care. Sexual abuse: Harming by inappropriate sexual contact, lewd behavior, implicit sexual acts or forcing to engage in sexual acts.

22. Sexual harassment could include, but is not limited to: • Sexual advances, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. • Sexual jokes, references to sexual conduct, and comments about an individual’s sexual activity • Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or drawings • Sexual leering or whistling, any inappropriate physical contact, such as brushing or touching, obscene language or gestures, and suggestive or insulting comments

23. ALLEGATION PROCEDURE The Youth Protection Officers will: Assess the situation Notify all necessary parties Remove student from situation Serve as primary contact Advocate for the victim – assure safety

24. PROCEDURE Student shall be offered immediate support services – health services, therapists, legal counsel. District Governor will be notified of incident and kept advised of developments. Confidentiality of the student and any person against whom allegations are made will be respected in accordance with the law. No student will be sent home unless their personal safety requires it or the student desires to return.

25. IF A STUDENT TELLS YOU OF HARASSMENT OR ABUSE Listen attentively Assure him/her that they are not to blame Remain calm and make sure student feels safe Encourage student to share what happened Make detailed notes Assure privacy and explain informing Youth Protection Officer

26. Action Items: Read, Organize, Do Screening Learn About Awareness and Sensitivity. Always remember – We are legally and morally responsible for the well being of other parents’ children.

27. With all of us working together, we can keep the young people in our Rotary programs safe and make Rotary Youth Programs a meaningful experience for all of us.