Volunteer Conduct Standards

Each year Mentor2Youth staff shall convey these standards in writing to all volunteers prior to their first visit to their first interaction with students. Staff shall review these standards verbally, as well, with volunteers teaching for the first time.

Mentor2Youth (M2Y) serves youth. M2Y volunteers teach valuable lessons in their program delivery and especially in their conduct with students. Adult misconduct with or in the presence of youth carries serious

consequences. Because Mentor2Youth cares that its volunteers have healthy, appropriate relationships with the youth they serve, it has established the following standards.

1. Young people look to adults for examples of appropriate behavior. M2Y volunteers must use appropriate language and model honorable behavior, such as respect, integrity, honesty, and excellence. Profanity or sexualized language or jokes are inappropriate when working with students, regardless of whether it occurs face-to-face, over the Internet, or by any other means. M2Y strictly forbids violating any state law regarding interactions with youth; for example, providing them alcohol or legal or illegal drugs, or coaxing them into illicit relationships over the Internet or otherwise.

2. Volunteers should avoid all contact with students beyond a business handshake.

3. Interactions with students must both be appropriate and appear appropriate. It is expected that volunteers’ interactions with students are at all times appropriate and professional, and are strictly related to the role of a business mentor. It is unacceptable to seek or engage in one-to-one meetings with students at any time.

4. Volunteers are responsible for the quality of interactions. Students often find it difficult to state discomfort or objections. Volunteers must be especially sensitive to physical and verbal cues that youth provide.

5. Volunteers will be presenting, facilitating, and discussing various programs, content, and ideas with students that are likely owned by M2Y, its licensors, or the students. A primary purpose of the M2Y programs is to encourage creativity in the students. By working with M2Y and the students, Volunteer agrees that they do not obtain any intellectual property rights therein, will not seek ownership in or contest those intellectual property rights, and will not attempt to secure trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights or registrations therein without prior written consent from Mentor2Youth USA.

The aforementioned standards do not represent a comprehensive list. Other actions not included could result in suspension or dismissal as a volunteer. M2Y volunteers also must read and comply with JA’s Digital Media Policy.

Mentor2Youth takes all complaints of misconduct seriously. Credible allegations of misconduct will be promptly reported to the appropriate authorities. During any such investigation, the M2Y volunteer will not perform services as an M2Y volunteer. If an investigation determines misconduct occurred, it will result in immediate and permanent dismissal as an M2Y volunteer.

Any M2Y staff member or volunteer who reasonably suspects misconduct must report these suspicions immediately to the appropriate M2Y staff person within their M2Y Area.