CENTERVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHYOUTH MINISTRY POLICIES

Centerville Presbyterian Church’s Youth Ministries holds to the following policies:

1. In order to protect the integrity and witness of the volunteer leader, the integrity and witness of the Youth Ministries, and the integrity and witness of Centerville Presbyterian Church the following guidelines are to be followed regarding a leaders contact with students of the opposite sex.

a. Volunteer leaders will not engage in hanging out alone or counseling minors of the opposite sex.

b. Volunteer leaders will not transport minors of the opposite sex to and from Youth Ministries events in a one on one situation with the following exceptions:

i. There is a leader of the opposite sex present in the vehicle.ii. Written permission is obtained from the parents and approved of by the

Youth Pastor

2. In order to protect all minors on off campus youth events where a parent/guardian is not present, and to provide safety for all involved, written permission to attend must be obtained prior to the event. Permission includes:

a. A parent/guardian signature approving attendanceb. Medical information (insurance information, prescription information, list of

allergies, list of doctors, emergency contact, etc.) A signed medical release form good for the entire year may be used to ease the permission process, but a signature is still required for each off-campus event.

3. In order to create efficiency and still maintain flexibility with registration and transportation for trips, retreats, and other excursions, the following are in effect:

a. The deadline for each trip will be firmly honored. b. If a student wishes to register after the deadline they will be placed on a waiting list.

If someone else drops out or more rides can be obtained then the student will be able to register and attend.

c. The Youth Pastor and other leaders want as many as possible to attend, and will try to accommodate everyone’s needs as much as possible.

4. In order to protect the integrity and witness of the individual, the integrity and witness of the Youth Ministry, and the integrity and witness of Centerville Presbyterian Church the following guidelines for all youth leaders are to be followed regarding dress.

a. Men are to wear their pants at an appropriate height, not showing underwear; and may not go shirtless.

i. Bathing suits must be appropriate; no speedos.b. Women are to wear their pants at an appropriate height, not showing underwear;

exposing midriffs, or wear shirts that are too tight.i. Bathing suits must be a one piece or a two piece with a dark colored shirt

September 2008

5. In order to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere and maintain relationship integrity and accountability, the Youth Ministries at Centerville Presbyterian Church holds to the following policies regarding dating:

a. A leader (volunteer or paid) shall never enter into a dating relationship with a student. If the relationship continues, the leader will be asked to step down.

b. Students who are in a dating relationship together must limit public displays of affection to minimal; and may be asked to refrain from all physical contact or asked to leave if it gets out of hand. A phone call home to alert parents/guardians may also be permissible.

c. Students of the opposite sex shall never be alone at a Youth Ministries event and can result in a phone call home and/or removal from the event.

6. In order to comply with California State Law, no one is allowed to talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving for a church related event.

September 2008