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POSITIVE CLUB CLIMATE

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota (BGCMN), we focus on teaching, reinforcing, and recognizing positive behavior. Our Expectations of Excellence are posted throughout Club/KIDSTOP programs and reviewed regularly with members. This policy applies to members and, where indicated, their parents and guardians.

EXPECTATIONS OF EXCELLENCE

Members are expected to:

• Respect themselves, others, and the Club.
• Help keep the Club safe and clean.
• Honor their commitments.
• Use appropriate language.
• Practice kindness, responsibility, and good manners.

BEHAVIOR RESPONSE PROCESS

When a member engages in unsafe, disruptive, or other behavior that does not meet Club expectations, staff will generally respond using the following trauma-informed, progressive approach, when appropriate. Depending on the circumstances, BGCMN may combine, modify or bypass one or more steps based on the nature or the severity of the behavior, safety concerns, or material disruptions to the program.

Redirection and Coaching

• Staff may use positive, strength-based, proactive language to help members make better choices and return to appropriate behavior. Verbal reminders and coaching may be provided as needed.

Self-Regulation/Co-Regulation and Reflection

• The member may be encouraged to take a brief break from the activity or group, for redirection or reflection.
• Staff may help the member reflect on the situation and identify better choices for the future and provide calming tools or strategies to support emotional regulation.

Meet with Site Leadership and Documentation

• The member may meet with site leadership to discuss the incident.
• Staff may support the member in understanding their role in the situation and identifying alternative choices.
• Significant behavioral incidents may be documented in accordance with BGCMN procedures.

Parent or Guardian Notification and/or Short-Term Suspension

• The Club may contact a parent or guardian to discuss concerns and next steps.
• BGCMN may temporarily suspend participation or limit attendance as appropriate.

Long-Term Suspension or Membership Revocation

• The Club may impose a long-term suspension or terminate membership when lesser interventions are unsuccessful, or when circumstances warrant more immediate action.

SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

A member’s membership may be suspended or terminated based on conduct by the member or by the member’s parent or guardian. Suspension or termination may be appropriate when the conduct:

• Creates a serious safety risk or jeopardizes the well-being of others.
• Materially disrupts Club programs or operations.
• Substantially undermines the trust and cooperation necessary for the Club to function; or
• Materially interferes with BGCMN’s ability to provide a safe, respectful, and constructive environment for members, families, staff or volunteers.

Disciplinary decisions may take into consideration the severity, frequency, and impact of the behavior, the member's or parent/guardian’s response to interventions, and any other relevant circumstances. The safety and well-being of members, staff, volunteers, and visitors will remain the primary consideration.

Examples of behaviors that may result in suspension or termination include but are not limited to:

• Violent, aggressive, or threatening behavior.
• Leaving Club or program supervision without permission.
• Repeated or serious disruptive or disrespectful behavior that significantly impacts others.
• Vulgar, abusive, harassing, or discriminatory language or conduct.
• Refusal to follow safety expectations or staff directions.
• Possession of, bringing, displaying, or threatening to bring a firearm, knife, dangerous weapon, replica weapon, or any other item used or intended to threaten or to cause harm, onto Club or school property or during a Club-sponsored activity.
• Bullying, cyberbullying, intimidation, or harassment.
• Inappropriate use of phones, cameras, electronic devices, or technology, including recording others without permission, sharing images or videos without authorization, accessing inappropriate content, or engaging in cyberbullying or online harassment.
• Sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual conduct.
• Theft of or damage to personal, Club, or school property.
• Possession, distribution, or use of tobacco, nicotine products, marijuana, THC products, alcohol, or illegal substances on Club or school property.
• Attending Club activities while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, THC products, or illegal substances.
• Criminal conduct occurring on Club property or during Club-sponsored activities.
• Any other behavior determined by BGCMN: to constitute a significant safety risk or a material disruption to the Club’s programming; to substantially undermine the trust and cooperation necessary for the program to function; or to interfere with the Club's ability to provide a safe, respectful, constructive and positive environment.

PARENT/GUARDIAN CONDUCT

BGCMN values respectful and collaborative relationships with families. When a parent or guardian's behavior creates a safety concern or materially disrupts program activities, or materially interferes with Club operations, BGCMN may establish conditions on the parent or guardian’s participation or communications or restrict the parent or guardian’s access to Club property or events.

Material interference may include:

• Threatening, abusive, harassing, intimidating, or repeatedly disruptive conduct;
• Knowingly making or encouraging materially false or misleading statements;
• Refusing to comply with reasonable safety or operational requirements; or
• Engaging in a pattern of conduct that substantially undermines the trust, cooperation, or integrity necessary for the program to function.

Raising a good-faith concern regarding safety or misconduct, participating honestly in an investigation, or expressing a good-faith disagreement with a decision will not, standing alone, constitute material interference.

If reasonable restrictions or conditions on a parent’s or guardian’s conduct cannot adequately address the concern or allow the member to participate safely and appropriately, BGCMN may suspend or terminate the member’s membership.

IMMEDIATE HEALTH OR SAFETY RESPONSE

BGCMN may temporarily remove a member from an activity and contact the member’s parent or guardian, emergency responders, or other appropriate resources when staff reasonably believe the member requires immediate medical or behavioral health assistance or presents a significant safety concern. A temporary health or safety removal is not necessarily disciplinary.

NONDISCRIMINATION, AND ACCOMMODATION

BGCMN will make disciplinary and participation decisions without unlawful discrimination based on any characteristic protected by applicable law, including race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

If conduct may be related to a disability, BGCMN will consider the individual circumstances and engage with a member’s parent or guardian to determine whether a reasonable accommodation or modification can support safe and appropriate participation, as required by law.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Information regarding behavioral incidents will be shared only with individuals who have a legitimate educational, supervisory, legal, or safety-related need to know, or as otherwise required or permitted by law or BGCMN policies.

REVIEW PROCESS

When reasonably practicable, BGCMN will explain the basis for a proposed long-term suspension or membership termination and give the member’s parent or guardian a reasonable opportunity to provide relevant information before a final decision is made. Immediate restrictions or suspension may remain in effect when an incident is reviewed.

A parent or guardian may request review of a suspension or termination decision by BGCMN leadership. BGCMN will make the final determination following that review.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed this policy. I understand that conduct by a member or by the member’s parent or guardian may result in restrictions, suspension, or termination of a member’s membership.

Parent Handbook and Fee Payment Policy

I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the Boys & Girls Club's KIDSTOP Parent Handbook governing the enrollment of the child named on this Membership Application/Emergency form. I understand that payment of KIDSTOP program fees is made on the first day of the week that child(ren) attend(s). I agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the Boys & Girls Clubs/ KIDSTOP fee policies.

Field Trip Transportation and Supervision

I agree to permit the child(ren) named to participate in walking trips, field trips or other activities sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club. This permission is given with the understanding that transportation, if needed, will be provided by school bus, public transportation or a Boys & Girls Club vehicle driven by an authorized driver. I also understand that the child(ren) will be under Boys & Girls Club supervision throughout the duration of the field trip.

Safety

Knowing there is a certain amount of risk involved in even the simplest of children’s games, sports and activities, I give my permission for my child to participate in Club activities and programs. I accept responsibility in the unlikely event that an accident might take place. I hereby certify that I carry health and/or accident insurance for my child and that I am solely responsible for the cost of health care for my child, even as a result of my child’s participation in Club programs or activities.

Insurance Coverage

I further certify that my child is covered by medical insurance as listed on the above Membership/Emergency form. I understand that insurance coverage is required in order for my child to participate in programs and that I am solely responsible to provide such coverage. I understand that I am solely responsible for any consequences of my failure to provide adequate insurance coverage. I agree to abide by all of the rules of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota pertaining to the health and safety of the members and to inform the Club immediately of any changes in my child’s health, health care insurance or medical provider. I also agree to inform the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota immediately if my child contracts a serious communicable disease.

I agree that the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, its employees (both paid and volunteer), Board of Directors and affiliated agencies, shall not be liable for any claims, demands, actions or causes of action, whatsoever for any injury caused to me or to my child as a result of my child’s involvement in Boys & Girls Club programs or activities. I hereby expressly forever relieve and discharge said Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota from all acts of negligence on the part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, its employees (both paid and volunteer), the corporation, its servants, agents, officers, shareholders and affiliated agencies.

Exchange Of Information

I give my consent to any exchange of information between my child’s Boys & Girls Club/ KIDSTOP staff and school professional staff whenever it would be beneficial to my child.

Authorization for Medical Care

In case of serious accident of illness to my child or in the event that the injury/illness involves my child’s mouth or teeth, I hereby authorize the staff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, my child’s physician, dentist and those individuals named on the above Membership/Emergency form to give any necessary treatment to my child. You may call the doctor and/or ambulance if necessary at my exclusive expense. I agree that I am solely responsible for updating medical information to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota.

I understand the implication of this Permission and Statement of Release. I certify that I am legally capable of executing this agreement, and that I have done so of my own free will on the date indicated below, on behalf of myself, my spouse, if not signed separately, and our child(ren) named above.

Media Consent

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and KIDSTOP (collectively, “Boys & Girls Clubs”) may photograph or video record your child for marketing and promotional purposes, including but not limited to, use as stock photos on our website and social media pages. You give permission to Boys & Girls Clubs to photograph and/or video record your child for use in marketing and promotional materials. Your permission grants us the authority to publicize any photos/video recordings we may take of your child.

By participating in Boys & Girls Clubs services you agree to the following:

I grant permission to Boys & Girls Clubs to photograph and/or video and audio record my child for marketing and promotional purposes and to publicize any photos/recordings of my child without additional notification. This grant remains in effect until revoked. The rights granted to Boys & Girls Clubs in this release include the perpetual, exclusive, and unencumbered right to use, edit, reproduce, distribute, publish, and otherwise exhibit the photos/recordings worldwide, in any and all forms of media. In addition, the rights granted to Boys & Girls Clubs in this release include the right to use the photo/recordings to publicize and advertise Boys & Girls and/or its services. No monetary compensation will be given for use of any photo/recording of my child. I agree to hold harmless and do hereby release the Boys & Girls Clubs and its past, current, or future directors, employees, agents, representatives, affiliates, successors, and assigns from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action associated with this release and, including without limitation, any claims for libel of violation of any rights of publicity or privacy which I many have by reason of this release.

You have a right to opt out of inclusion of photographs/recordings, but unless you complete this form: https://www.bgcmn.org/bgc-member-media-waiver, participation in Boys & Girls Club activities implies permission for the images taken at those events.

Movie Consent

I give consent to view any PG rated video shown at BGC/ KIDSTOP. Talk with your site manager if you do NOT want your child to view PG rated videos.

Sunscreen

During the summer months, Boys & Girls Club staff apply sunscreen before outdoor activities to protect against sunburn and overexposure. Parents/guardians may opt out of this practice by signing a waiver: https://www.bgcmn.org/sunscreen-waiver/

National Youth Outcomes Initiative Survey

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota participates in an annual survey that will be used to track the well being of members in Boys & Girls Clubs nationally. Our Club is one of a group of Clubs across the country participating in this survey that asks how members feel about the activities and time they spend in Boys & Girls Club programs, education plans, and involvement in community service and work.

Additionally, the survey asks about the attitudes and health behaviors of members, including questions about nutrition and physical activity. Members will not put their names on the survey. No site or member will ever be mentioned by name in a report of the results.

We would like all members at our sites to take part in the survey, but the survey is voluntary. Survey participants can skip any questions they do not wish to answer.

If you would like to see the survey, a copy is available upon request. Please contact the site manager. You may review the survey during regular hours.

If you do NOT want your child to take part in the survey, we have a form for you to sign. The form is available from your site manager.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota at (320) 252-7616.

OJDDP Mentoring Consent

Your child may participate in the OJJDP Mentoring Program at the Boys & Girls Club. This is a program adapted to each youth to help them set goals for their development and pairs them with a positive adult or peer mentor to help them achieve these goals. As a key component a part of this program, your child will be matched with a mentor, one-with-one and/or small group, who is either a staff member at the Boys & Girls Club, an older Club member (peer mentor) or community volunteer mentor who has been specifically selected and will be screened (including a criminal background check) and trained before beginning in the program. While this program is sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, your child’s selection may be for a variety of reasons. Boys & Girls Clubs believe that mentors are valuable to all youth and that learning how to identify a mentor and engage in positive mentoring relationships will benefit youth in their future.

Your child will participate in an orientation session at the Club, during which the program specifics and expectations of the mentoring program will be explained. The mentoring program is planned to last one year, and continuation beyond one year may be considered. The mentor will be expected to spend at least one hour per week with the child in an individual or group mentoring setting on-site at the Boys & Girls Club. It is essential to understand that your child’s mentor cannot meet or communicate with your child anywhere other than at the Boys & Girls Club.

During the course of the mentoring program, there may be special group events (incorporating mentors and youth) and/or family events planned. You will be notified in advance about these activities, and we encourage you to join any special activities or plan a visit to meet your child’s mentor at your convenience.

As a part of this program, the Boys & Girls Club will measure the impact of mentoring on your child’s social, emotional, or academic life. These measurements may include pre- and post-program assessments conducted by Club staff administering the mentoring program, school academic and attendance records, or general observations by Club staff and/or mentors. As Personally Identifiable Information, the results of these assessments will be maintained safely at the Club and available to you upon request. We greatly appreciate, and welcome, any feedback you have on the program’s outcomes or possible areas of improvement.

Occasionally, this program shares photos and stories with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the U.S. Department of Justice (which funds the program) to show positive outcomes and best practices in mentoring. If you have signed a photo release as part of your child’s application to the Boys & Girls Club, that release will serve to give permission for photos of your child to be used in the manner described previously without claim to any compensation. If you have not signed a photo release for your child through the Club’s membership form, you will be contacted directly for permission if a photo of your child is selected to share with the entities described above.

Please talk to your site manager if you choose to opt out of this mentoring program.