Second Presbyterian Youth

Expectations for Youth and Adults

The Purpose of These Expectations

As a community of God, the Youth Program strives to create a safe, loving community where participants actively learn about who they are as they learn about whose they are. In order to maintain this environment, the following document has been established. These expectations will be in effect for every sixth through twelfth grade youth and all adult leadership involved in the Youth Program anytime they are on the campus of Second Presbyterian church, at an event or trip sponsored by Second Presbyterian Church and whenever the youth and adult leadership are together for any reason. Knowing that individual sacrifices occur in a true community, this statement of expectations has been prayerfully composed with the safety of all participants in mind.

The Living Document

The responsibility to approve this statement of expectations ultimately falls into the hands of the Youth Committee. Participants and parents of participants throughout the Youth Program are encouraged to work with the Youth Committee in modifying these expectations as necessary or every two years. The success of this document relies on the cooperation of everyone involved.

The Foundation

This community is founded on God’s love and God’s teachings. All behavior and leadership decisions should be made accordingly. Participants should always behave in the best interest of the community acting with love, respect and responsibility. Participants will always be held responsible for their actions. Participants unclear about the appropriateness of a behavior should seek the advice of the Associate Pastor or adult leader.

Serious Concerns

Youth Program participants are not to use or possess any illegal drugs, illegal substances, alcohol, weapons or tobacco products of any kind and are not to participate in any extra-marital sexual activity. Furthermore, participants should adhere to local, state and federal laws. The above has no place in the Youth Program and break down the group instead of building it.

Expectations

The following list of expectations has been developed to effectively communicate some specific behavioral concerns that commonly exist in group situations:

• Full participation is asked of every participant during every meeting, event, program, activity, practice, trip and rehearsal.
• Each participant should respect him or herself, other people and personal, public and church property at all times.
• Responsibility should be shown in regard to any display of affection.
• Each participant should be responsible for her or his choice of language. The language should be positive, supportive and representative of our church family.
• Seatbelts must be worn when traveling.

Management of These Expectations

It is the responsibility of all participants (youth and adults) to hold all other participants accountable for their behavior. The adults should not be expected to act as the only responsible members of the program, but should be respected as figures of authority. It is the responsibility of the Associate Pastor to ultimately uphold these expectations and to make judgment calls when necessary.

Consequences

For serious concerns (drugs, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, sexual activity or any illegal behavior including misdemeanors and felonies), the youth will be required to notify his or her parents about their behavior in the presence of an adult leader. Once notified, the parent(s) of the youth and adult leader(s) will work together to establish the next appropriate step with the youth's best interest in mind.

Less serious concerns will result in a conference with the Associate Pastor or an adult leader to decide upon an appropriate consequence.

The Associate Pastor reserves the right to send any participant home at their own expense for inappropriate behavior. If the AP is not present when sending home a participant, adult leaders must clear the decision through the AP or one of the other pastors at Second Presbyterian Church.

Conclusion

These expectations have been developed and approved by the Youth Committee for the safety of our community and the general well-being of the individuals. They are designed to be positive guidelines for living. Anyone should feel free speak to our Youth Committee, Associate Pastor regarding any of these expectations.