1. { Drawing the Line Professional Boundaries for Youth Serving Volunteers

2.  When we seek volunteers, we are often deeply engaged in the process of recruiting, matching, supporting, and retaining these important resources  However, in taking on volunteers, we also take on RISK What is the worst that could happen?

3.  One of the most difficult parts of volunteer management can be training and discipline And yet  One of the main reasons volunteers leave is lack of training and not understanding the importance of their role Finding a balance

4.  Feels like we do not trust the volunteer  Seems to provide reasons not to volunteer  Takes time  Involves tough topics  Feels “uncomfortable”  Lack of agreement  Emotional Why is it hard to discuss Boundaries with Volunteers?

5.  Have a clearly articulated Professional Boundaries Policy  Have discussed that policy with staff and worked through questions, comments, and concerns through scenario based processing  Train all volunteers on the policy, using scenario based training  Enforce your professional boundaries policy  Continue to update and enhance the training and policy as new situations arise In this training we will discuss why your organization must:

6.  Mutually understood and clearly communicated physical and emotional limits on relationships  A range of acceptable, healthy, and appropriate behaviors  Limits which provide clear “do not cross” zones for behavior monitoring, elimination of grey zones What are Professional Boundaries?

7.  What factors will influence your professional boundaries policy? Your Organization -Who you serve -Age, gender, abilities, family support, educational level, communication skill -Where you serve them -Who are your volunteers -Who are your staff -How often volunteers see kids -How connected they are supposed to become -What are they providing -What are the potential needs of clients that your agency does not meet -How much do youth know about the role of volunteers

8.  Work together by table to choose the points that your boundaries policy should include  Major and minor  Specific if needed What should your professional boundaries policy include

9.  Gives information on WHY boundaries are important for volunteer, client, and org  Includes specific behaviors to be avoided  Sets clear limits on interactions  Clarifies role of volunteer versus staff  Provides clear direction on reporting boundary violations by others  Is presented in person, not simply handed out  Includes scenarios that are relevant to the work Boundaries policy

10. Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston Boundaries Expectations Policy For Adult Staff and Volunteers Updated: April 2014 Definition: “Adult” includes any employees, junior staff, summer/seasonal staff and volunteer age 18 or older. For the purpose of this document, all references to “Staff” may be assumed to include volunteers.

11. Staff/Member Communications BGCB recognizes that there are times when staff members need to communicate with members by phone, email, or text. Non-urgent communication should be conducted by BGCB phone or email. In the event that communication takes place via personal email or cell phones, your director may ask that you copy them. All communications between staff and members, regardless of medium, may be reviewed by supervisors.

12. Personal contact information BGCB does not expect that staff will share their personal contact information with members. In the event that cell phone numbers need to be shared to ensure communication during a field trip or other event, please note that all communication should be BGCB program related. Any time staff members share personal contact information with a member or parent, a supervisor should be notified. Please see BGCB “cell phone policy” in Employee Handbook for further information.

13. Romantic relationships with members, parents, colleagues, vendors Under no circumstances may adult staff date club members. Staff members may not date former members, until the former member reaches the age of 19 and is no longer a club member. We ask that any relationships with adults that you meet in the course of your work (parents, co-workers, volunteers, colleagues, vendors, etc.) be carefully considered in terms of potential for negative impact on youth and club. Your club director may ask that you notify them if such a relationship begins.

14. Please note that all members and employees are to be treated in a professional manner regardless of your relationship to them outside the club.

15. Any such relationship that compromises club operations, safety, or your job performance may impact your employment with BGCB. If you have any questions about this policy, now or in the future, please speak to your supervisor or Human Resources

16. Providing childcare or other services for members/children outside of BGCB Occasionally staff may be asked by the parents of members or co-workers to provide childcare or other services outside of club hours. Such arrangements should be discussed with your supervisor in advance.

17. Physical Contact Physical contact, such as lap sitting, “cuddling”, or any contact that compromises the emotional or physical safety of a member is not appropriate. In general, staff should be aware of physical boundaries and seek to maintain them, especially when interactions are not easily witnessed by others No contact should feel uncomfortable to any party involved. Staff should never be alone with children, except for when job duties require (music lessons, social work, etc.).

18. Horseplay and Rough Housing Horseplay and rough housing are not allowed. Interactions that could lead to injury or that you would not want youth to imitate should be avoided.

19. Dress expectations (please also see BGCB Employee Handbook) Staff is expected to wear clothing that is appropriate to work in a youth serving organization. This means: -Clothing should not carry negative, obscene, or inflammatory messages -Clothing should provide appropriate coverage and allow for participation in all activities -If staff t-shirts are provided, they must not be altered -Skirts and shorts must cover upper thigh, even when seated -“Sagging” is not allowed -Attire should present a neat, casual, but professional appearance

20. Personal Cell Phones (please also see BGCB Employee Handbook) Staff is expected to use personal cell phones only for emergencies. Cell phones should not be visible to members unless use is work related. In general, cell phones are regarded as a distraction and must not interfere with staff responsibility to supervise and support youth. Excessive use will result in disciplinary action.

21. Social Media (please also see BGCB Employee Handbook) Staff should not communicate or share information with members using personal social media. This includes Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If members “friend” you, as staff, the best response is to thank the youth, and tell them that you are only “friends” with other adults and family. Providing youth with information about WHY we have boundaries is as important as the boundaries themselves. Posting pictures of members on your pages is also not allowed.

22. Locker Room/Changing Facilities/Toileting Locker rooms and changing facilities are not constantly monitored by staff. Staff is responsible for educating youth about safe locker room usage. Cell phones and cameras are not allowed in locker room areas. All staff is expected to make regular checks on locker rooms and bathrooms, with gender appropriate adults making entry and “sweeping” the facilities on frequent but unpredictable intervals.

23. Volunteers (please also see BGCB Employee Handbook) Volunteers are not to be left alone with youth, individually or in groups. BGCB staff member must be present at all times. Certain volunteers have been cleared to be alone with members for specific tasks or reasons. Please ask you supervisor.

24. “Eyes and Ears” BGCB is committed to maximizing the number of eyes and ears at work to protect our youth from sexual abuse in any of our facilities. If you see or hear anything that causes you concern, seems inappropriate, or “feels wrong” to you, you should speak to a supervisor, your Club Director, Director of Operations, or Human Resources. Anyone who makes a report is protected by the organizations “Whistle Blower Policy” (see the BGCB Employee Handbook) from retaliation or negative repercussions.

25. Positive Interactions Policy Interactions with staff provide youth with access to positive and supportive role models. It is expected that staff will adhere to a policy of positive interactions. We expect that ALL interactions with youth will emphasize our belief that every one of our members has the capacity to be great. Discipline should be done calmly, respectfully, and in a manner that communicates your belief in the member’s ability to be successful in the club environment. Yelling at youth, belittling them, singling out negatively, and other discipline methods that humiliate or denigrate youth are not allowed.

26. BGCB programs and facilities were created to provide youth with a safe, secure, and supportive environment in which to learn and grow. We appreciate your commitment to being a part of it and to upholding the high standards our kids deserve.

27.   In general, activities which take a volunteer beyond the expectations of the school could easily qualify as boundary violations. These include:   becoming too personally involved with students - friend, confident, surrogate parent;   seeing students in private or non-school settings;   writing or exchanging notes, letters or emails;   serving as a confidant with regard to a student's decision about his/her personal issues;   giving gifts or money to students;   inviting students to one's home;   having students stay overnight in one's home;   driving individual students to or from school;   giving one student undue attention;   being alone with a student with the exception of an emergency situation;   sharing your personal problems with students;   sharing personal information about a student with a third party; and   initiating physical contact. Boundary Violations (school)