ND Shooting Sports Risk Management/Safe Environment Training Planning for a Successful Safe Experience

ND 4-H Shooting Sports From Your ND Shooting Sports Program Coordinator: You are about to embark upon a gratifying journey. From seeing the first attempts at releasing an arrow or firing a shot, a change will occur during the term of the shooter’s experience that you are responsible for. You are a role model and mentor. Your job is more than shooting sports. You may be the one person whose influence provides that youth a focus for life’s success. It is your job to get them there safely and to teach them the responsibility and joys of life.

Basic Instructor Expectations  It is expected that our volunteers are ready before or on time. Your attitude is positive and upbeat.  A program plan should be identified and approved by your county agent. The volunteer roles in the planned activities should be identified. Emergency storm or medical plans and contacts should be shared in a folder. (Meeting should be documented)  All participants are treated fairly and consistently.  You need to put yourself in their place and ask what your expectations would be. Be caring, supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic.  Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Say please and thank you  Follow shooting discipline procedures.  Be aware of and be able to carry out emergency plans.

Basic Instructor Expectations  Don’t assume anything about children.  While you plan the activity, think about possible problems. Plan to avoid them. Inform your co-instructors of the activity plan.  Locate yourself near children who will need more attention to keep them on task.  Maintain a position to be able to view the group.  Don’t ask a youth to do something they are not capable of or afraid to do.  Don’t expect youth to sit at a structured activity too long. Give them breaks to move. Some kids need to move as they learn.  Spend some leisure time with your group to build a personal connection.  Plan enough activities to keep kids busy and some add variety.  Encourage youth to be part of the site clean up at the end of the activity.

Behavior Management Plan 1.Always use positive reinforcement (catch them doing something good) 2.Your first approach is to simply redirect the child. 3.Your next strategy is to identify the behavior, indicate the correct behavior, and ask for compliance. (focus on behavior not person) 4.If child fails to complete the request, they may need a time out. After the time out, the correct behavior is discussed and child can return to the group if they can comply. (You cannot leave them unsupervised.) 5.If a child is too disruptive, then they may need to be removed from the group. (where do they go and who takes them) (Complete behavior report) They may be sent home. 6.Do not use a consequence that is unreasonable or would cause a safety concern. 7.Organize the activity to best manage the group. (Consider small/large group, activity needs, attention span, movement, transitions, and weather needs) 8.Plan enough activities to keep kids busy. Send kids who are done home.

Ensuring a Safe Environment To protect ALL individuals, instructors need to ensure during their activity, volunteers and staff work with youth in reasonably open spaces where others are welcome to enter and are present. (Rule of 3) To protect ALL individuals, instructors need to ensure during their activity, volunteers and staff work with youth in reasonably open spaces where others are welcome to enter and are present. (Rule of 3) Do not spend time alone with a single child. If you have to retrieve a single child – tell another child to get them. Do not spend time alone with a single child. If you have to retrieve a single child – tell another child to get them. Respect the privacy of youth. Respect the privacy of youth. Maintain an appropriate adult ratio to youth. Maintain an appropriate adult ratio to youth. Younger inexperienced (1-4) Older experienced (1-15 max.)

Ensuring A Safe Environment Paid staff and volunteers should be alert to signs of abuse or neglect. If you suspect abuse, report it to your county Social Services Office. Paid staff and volunteers should be alert to signs of abuse or neglect. If you suspect abuse, report it to your county Social Services Office. Reporting is encouraged for volunteers, mandatory for NDSU staff. Reporting is encouraged for volunteers, mandatory for NDSU staff. Children are any circumstances, to be disciplined by physical punishment. Children are not under any circumstances, to be disciplined by physical punishment. An adult will not share a room with one minor child who is not their child. Volunteers are with youth always in the company of others. An adult will not share a room with one minor child who is not their child. Volunteers are with youth always in the company of others. Know your youth’s health information. Do not dispense medication without authority to do so. (health info sheet is always present) Know your youth’s health information. Do not dispense medication without authority to do so. (health info sheet is always present)

Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drug Use Zero tolerance - Extension staff and volunteers are reminded that adult behavior can and does have an impact on youth in many situations and environments. Zero tolerance - Extension staff and volunteers are reminded that adult behavior can and does have an impact on youth in many situations and environments. It is expected that volunteers be positive role models for participating youth. It is expected that volunteers be positive role models for participating youth. Individuals under the influence would not be protected by NDSU liability coverage. Individuals under the influence would not be protected by NDSU liability coverage.

Insurance Volunteers/staff receive special protection under North Dakota state law as do state employees. Volunteers/staff receive special protection under North Dakota state law as do state employees. You must inform your home extension office of any shooting sports, fishing, or horse activities to have injury insurance for participants. You must inform your home extension office of any shooting sports, fishing, or horse activities to have injury insurance for participants. All plans should be written and document who is in charge, and job responsibilities. All plans should be written and document who is in charge, and job responsibilities. Individuals must act prudently and responsibly. You must do what others with similar background experience would do. (Have a emergency plan) Individuals must act prudently and responsibly. You must do what others with similar background experience would do. (Have a emergency plan)

Automobile/Safe Operation of Machinery Accidents by you are reported to your county agent. Accidents by you are reported to your county agent. Volunteers/ staff must rely on their own vehicle insurance when working in an Extension program. (check your auto policy) Volunteers/ staff must rely on their own vehicle insurance when working in an Extension program. (check your auto policy) Anyone who transports youth for Extension activities must have a valid drivers license and insurance on file in the home extension office. Anyone who transports youth for Extension activities must have a valid drivers license and insurance on file in the home extension office. Liability insurance must meet state law. Liability insurance must meet state law.

Automobile/Safe Operation of Equipment Adults are role models. Vehicles must be operated in a safe way, using good common sense and judgment. Adults are role models. Vehicles must be operated in a safe way, using good common sense and judgment. Adults should model safe operation of power tools etc. with the use of safety equipment. Adults should model safe operation of power tools etc. with the use of safety equipment.

Anti-discrimination Civil Rights Act of 1964 Extension volunteers and paid staff must not show discrimination in designing or delivering programs with respect to color, race, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or handicap. Programs must be equally accessible to anyone.

What did you Learn? It is fine to have few drinks and then go to a 4-H activity. It is fine to have few drinks and then go to a 4-H activity. A. Never B. It is alright as long as I don’t drink at the activity. C. I am a role model and mentor to these youth so I wouldn’t do it. D. Both A & C I may choose who I want in my club or activities? I may choose who I want in my club or activities? A. Never B. All youth must be included. C. Youth who have proven unsafe or uncooperative may be exempted. D. Both B & C I should inform my county extension agent of my program activities because: I should inform my county extension agent of my program activities because: A. Never have to B. So they can supervise C. It is proper planning and so youth and I are covered by insurance It is OK to pick up a youth leaving your activity and give them a ride home? It is OK to pick up a youth leaving your activity and give them a ride home? A. Never B. Always C. Only in the company of others