VOLUNTEER POLICY

1. QUALIFICATIONS
a. Other than youth participant volunteers who participate as part of Midcoast Youth Center (“MYC”) programming,
volunteers shall be at least 18 years of age.
b. Ideally, volunteers shall have experience in working with youth as instructor, mentor, parent, or well-being
practitioner. Volunteers with other related experience will be considered but they must have demonstrated
experience in working with youth.
2. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
a. A documented background check shall be completed on each volunteer applicant and shall include traffic
and criminal record, employment, and references.
b. Prospective volunteers shall complete the Volunteer Application form.
3. ASSIGNMENT AND SUPERVISION
a. Volunteers shall be assigned to duties and time(s) of service by the MYC Executive Director.
b. Service by volunteers shall be supervised at all times by MYC staff.
c. Service performance of volunteers will be reviewed periodically by the MYC Executive Director.
4. VOLUNTEER SERVICE EXPECTATIONS
a. Volunteers shall be present when scheduled. If unable to serve at the scheduled day/time for any reason, the
volunteer shall notify the Executive Director with as much advance notice as possible.
b. Volunteers shall always treat all participants with respect and dignity. Abusive language, vulgarities, or hurtful
name-calling by volunteers will not be tolerated.
c. Volunteers shall be supportive of participants in all circumstances. Volunteers shall provide encouragement and
positive reinforcement to all participants.
d. Any type of sexual or inappropriate physical contact with participants or any other conduct that might be considered
harassment is not permitted.
e. Singling out a participant or participants for personal attention and friendship beyond the normal volunteerparticipant relationship is not permitted.
f. Personal gifts by volunteers to participants are not permitted.
g. Photographs of MYC participants are not permitted without the permission of the MYC Executive Director.
h. Volunteers shall not release or divulge any information concerning activities of the MYC or maintain that they
represent MYC without permission from the MYC Executive Director
i. Volunteers shall not interact with individual participants in rooms behind closed doors without more than one
volunteer, or other MYC staff, present.
j. Driving participants home or to other locations by volunteers shall only be allowed with prior approval from the
MYC Executive Director.
k. Volunteers shall not visit a participant at home or in another location, unless on official MYC business known to the
parent and to the MYC Executive Director.
l. Volunteers shall not socialize or spending time with participants (including but not limited to activities such as going
out for meals or movies, shopping, traveling, and recreational activities) outside of MYC-sponsored events or organized
community activities without approval by the MYC Executive Director.
4 Old Brunswick Road, Bath ME 04530
Phone: (207) 443-8750 Fax (207) 389-6238
www.midcoastyouth.org
m. No volunteer shall distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of any alcoholic beverage, malt
beverage or fortified wine or other intoxicating liquor. Nor shall any volunteer manufacture, distribute, dispense,
possess, use or be under the influence of any narcotic drug, hallucinogenic drug, amphetamine, barbiturate,
marijuana, anabolic steroid, or any other controlled substance.
n. There shall be no smoking or use of tobacco products, including vaping, on MYC grounds or at MYC off-site activities.
o. No volunteershall bring any weapon or firearm into the MYC facility or to off-site MYC activities.
p. Volunteer’s social media must not promote use of any substance or activity deemed inappropriate for a youth.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
a. Unless specifically allowed by the participant, statements made by participants to volunteers shall be held in strict
confidentiality. Exceptions shall include any of the following, whereupon the volunteer shall immediately notify
the MYC Executive Director who will determine the necessity of State mandated reporting, or other action is
required:
i. When a volunteer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a participant under the age of 18 has been
or is likely abused or neglected.
ii. When a volunteer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a participant under the age of 18 is not
living with the child’s family.
iii. When a volunteer knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a participant is affected by substance
abuse or exhibits withdrawal symptoms.
iv. When a participant discloses to a volunteer that there has been, or likely to be, self- harm or intention to
harm another person.
b. Each volunteer shall sign a nondisclosure agreement. Subsequent disclosure of any confidential
information, verbally, in writing, or by any other means, shall be grounds for immediate dismissal.
6. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
a. A volunteer may be removed from the volunteer program at the discretion of the MYC Executive Director or
their designee.
b. Volunteers may be removed at any time from their volunteer position by the Executive Director and/or Board of
Trustees based on inappropriate social media postings, activity or engagement