JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES, INC.

 VOLUNTEER CONDUCT STANDARDS 

These standards are designed to help volunteers understand the practices we expect them to employ in the classroom.  These standards shall be conveyed verbally and in writing by Junior Achievement staff to volunteers teaching for the first time.

 Volunteers should not:

¨       have any inappropriate contact inside or outside the classroom with any student met through their Junior Achievement class, including those students 18 years of age or older;

¨       be in contact with any student inside or outside the classroom unless the student’s teacher, another school-sanctioned adult, Junior Achievement staff, or the student’s parent/guardian is present or aware of the situation; or

¨       provide transportation for any Junior Achievement student without the consent of the student’s parent/guardian or Junior Achievement staff.

Exceptions would include routine business activity or bona fide job interviews for students 15 years of age or older, conducted at a regular place of business and during regular business hours.

Some examples of inappropriate conduct include:

¨       any violation of Michigan laws such as child abuse, providing alcohol or drugs (and/or look-alikes) to minors, or having alcohol or drugs on a school campus, etc;

¨       dress that violates school dress codes or is not consistent with the norm of business attire;

¨       use of profanity in the classroom; and

¨       physical contact which is inappropriate to a teacher-pupil professional relationship considering the age and sex of the student.

These are examples only and not intended to be a comprehensive list.  There could be other actions not listed herein, which could result in suspension or dismissal as a volunteer.

Allegations of violation of these standards will result in immediate suspension as a Junior Achievement volunteer.  If an investigation by the proper authorities determines a violation occurred, it will result in the immediate and permanent dismissal as a Junior Achievement volunteer and referral to the proper authorities.

 JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF THE MICHIGAN GREAT LAKES, INC.

 Child Abuse Policy

Junior Achievement is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of its participants.  The organization's mission is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and economics, and be workforce ready.

Unfortunately, child abuse exists in our society and has become a matter of critical national concern.  Child abuse is damage to a child for which there is no "reasonable" explanation.  It includes non-accidental physical injury, neglect, sexual molestation, and emotional abuse.  As a provider of programs which are delivered by volunteer role models in school classrooms, this issue is of special concern to Junior Achievement at the national and local levels.

Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes has developed a program to deal with the potential issues of child abuse in an attempt to prevent such abuse from occurring within the parameters of its operations.  The program involves the establishment of Volunteer/Staff Conduct Standards that make it difficult for child abuse to occur within its programs, the training of its staff and volunteers about child abuse issues, the encouragement of prompt reporting of inappropriate conduct, and the swift removal of alleged offenders.

Junior Achievement established the Volunteer/Staff Conduct Standards to protect all of its participants.  The standards are presented both verbally and in writing by Junior Achievement staff to all volunteers participating for the first time and all staff when hired.  All participants are required to sign this document indicating their agreement to abide by these standards before they enter the classroom or program setting for the first time.  Any allegation of violation of these standards will result in the immediate suspension of a Junior Achievement volunteer/staff member.  If an investigation determines that a violation of a standard has occurred, it will result in the immediate and permanent dismissal of the volunteer/staff member.  Additionally, a full report of the allegation and the investigation will be provided to the proper authorities.

Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes believes that by working with responsible members of the community and by enforcing Volunteer/Staff Conduct Standards, it can confront the abhorrent issues of child abuse.  Any questions regarding the administration of the Volunteer/Staff Conduct Standards or this policy should be brought to the attention of William C. Coderre, President, at Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes, 3665 28th St. SE, Suite C, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, 616-575-9080.