Participant Covenant
All people who participate in Religious Education at the UUCF are considered "Participants," this includes children, their parents/guardians, staff and volunteers.
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Respect people and property
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Respect the Policy on Sexuality and Community
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No unwanted touching of another person
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Respect the Social Media Policy
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No pets
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All minors will remain on-site until picked up by a designated party
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No purchasing, possession and/or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco
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No abuse of legal drugs
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No weapons or violence
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No shared covers in sleeping rooms or otherwise.
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Abide by the “Rule of Three”: No youth or adults are to ever be alone in a closed space with another youth participant.
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No physical or emotional bullying
In the Classroom
In our classrooms we utilize positive discipline practices by focusing our rules and language on what children can do, rather than what they can not.
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We have selected 3 general classroom rules for 5th grade and under that we feel cover the most vital elements that may come up in the classroom.
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With the help of Jet Pig, we help children learn social emotional skills in positive ways! For our Nursery and Pre-K rooms we use simple language and visuals that show people. For the elementary ages, we expanded the language. Our Middle school group worked as a team to create a covenant for themselves.
Social Media Policies
Safe internet practices are strongly encouraged for all youth, parents, staff, and volunteers:
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Know who a person is before accepting a friend request or responding to private messages, seek secondary confirmation that a friend request or private message is actually coming from that person and not an imposter
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Avoid location tagging while you are still present at that location
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Seek guidance from a trusted adult if an interaction feels “off” or “weird”
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Avoid identifiable information about locations you frequent from appearing in the background of images or videos (such as street signs)
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Never share private information with someone you don’t know, such as your birthdate, social security number, your school or home address
Guidelines for Participants
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Staff and appointed volunteers will monitor the use of all social media and edit/delete as necessary according to the guidelines to maintain a positive public image.
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Confidentiality of private information must be maintained. Participants should not tag minors in photos shared through UUCF media nor share the full names of minors in comments, nor any other sensitive/private information about minors when interacting with UUCF media.
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Postings will be removed by the administrator that contain any of the following: insensitive, inflammatory or offensive language, jokes or slanderous comments, whether in text form or image form, based on a person’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, politics, age or religion.
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Solicitations to support personal or organizational fundraisers are not permitted and will be denied/removed unless approved by the administrators.
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Leaders should never initiate private discussions with children/youth across any digital platform: chats, messengers, text messages, or any similar platform that allows private communication. Should youth initiate a private conversation with a leader, especially adults, leaders are advised to make the parent(s)/guardian(s) aware of the contact and add another leader or parent/guardian to further communications. This is for the safety of all parties, including our leadership.
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Participants and Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are strongly discouraged from posting photos or videos that include other children/youth other than their own. The UUCF will not be held liable for the distribution of photos or videos of minors by non-staff, and those choosing to distribute such media of their own free will shall not be protected from any legal action that may be taken against them by the parents/guardians of children whose likenesses are shared without permission. ​
Staff and Volunteer Guidelines
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Adults and Youth in leadership roles are expected to maintain healthy boundaries in digital spaces with children and youth they serve. Public posts should be appropriate for youth to view and not sexualized, discriminatory, harassing, or otherwise contrary to the rules and philosophies of the Unitarian Universalist Values we hold dear. ​
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Leaders should never initiate private discussions with children/youth across any digital platform: chats, messengers, text messages, or any similar platform that allows private communication. Should youth initiate a private conversation with a leader, especially adults, leaders are advised to make the parent(s)/guardian(s) aware of the contact and add another leader or parent/guardian to further communications. This is for the safety of all parties, including our leadership.​
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UUCF Staff are responsible for obtaining photo & video permissions for posting on social media and respect the wishes of parents and participants (both children and adults) who do not wish to have their likeness shared online. ​​​
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Only designated Staff/Volunteers are authorized to utilize photos with UUCF participants for the purposes of promotional material, social media, or on the website.
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No Staff is authorized to tag or share the names of minors who appear in posted photos.
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No Staff is authorized to post photos or videos of participants on their own social media profiles at any time.​
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Administrators on UUCF media must ensure the legitimacy of all fundraisers by speaking to the UUCF Staff, appropriate committee(s), or board members before posting/approving posts on any platform.​
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Staff and appointed volunteers will monitor the use of all social media and edit/delete as necessary. Postings will be removed by an administrator that contain any of the following: insensitive, inflammatory or offensive language, jokes or slanderous comments, whether in text form or image form, based on a person’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, politics, age or religion.
Code of Ethics and Conduct for Adults Serving the Needs of R.E.
Volunteers in leadership roles are in a position of stewardship over children and youth, and therefore play a key role in the spiritual development and safety of children. Volunteers must agree to and abide by the expectations spelled out below. In cases of violation of this Code of Conduct, volunteers may be restricted or removed from their leadership role or from participating in future youth events, either temporarily or permanently.
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As a volunteer working with minors I agree to…
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Serve as a role model to youth and children in the RE program, including modeling affirmative consent, upholding rules, healthy boundaries, and UUCF policies. I will not be alone with a child(ren) and endeavor to uphold appropriate ratio standards for adult to youth participants.
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Respect confidences given to me as a leader in a spiritual community with exceptions being made in the event that I become aware of the risk for harm to self or others. All concerns, no matter how small, I will share with UUCF staff and seek guidance judiciously from those in positions above my own. I will not give youth or children the impression that I will keep secrets for them, rather, I will utilize my position as a trusted authority to assist a participant in identifying the safest route to support.
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Communicate with UUCF staff about anything which threatens the well-being of any program or youth community. Report to UUCF staff any unsafe behavior, threats or thoughts of harm to self or others, violation of UUCF behavioral expectations, unsafe environmental conditions, poor adult boundaries, and any possible child abuse or other ways children are in danger, including substance abuse and suicidal thoughts.
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Engage in conflict resolution and disagreements discreetly and respectfully, seeking guidance and mediation from UUCF staff in positions higher than mine. I will listen to others with openness and a willingness to receive feedback.
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Remain an active participant and in covenant with the UUCF.
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Engage in emotional and physical self-care and spiritual development needed to bring my best self to my community.
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Respect the full range of human differences, including race/ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender/gender expression, socioeconomic status, physical and mental ability, theology/belief, and primary language among my community. I will seek to build a community that is inclusive to all, and I will not engage in or tolerate abuse, harassment, or bullying in my presence.
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Refrain from engaging in any form of sexual, seductive, or erotic conduct with children or youth at events and outside of events. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Explicit sexual conduct
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Seductive or erotic behavior
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Nudity or clothing inappropriate for public view
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Sharing bedding with any persons
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Sexually provocative behavior
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Jokes, innuendoes, or sexualized language
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Refrain from consuming or being impaired by alcohol or other substances that impair functioning for the duration of the time I am working, including special events. I will also not show up already impaired from prior consumption.
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*Disclaimer: Not all roles require a background check, such as assisting with marketing needs for R.E. All adults who interact with children, including moderating online spaces, are subject to annual background checks by the UUCF.
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Policy on Sexuality and Community For Youth
While sexuality is a healthy and important part of young people’s lives, there are times and places where sexual behavior is inappropriate. This policy seeks to create a healthy and safe space for all participants. Exclusive relationships detract from the community. All participants must abide by the following policies:
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Participants must respect each other’s physical boundaries.
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Participants shall refrain from sexual, seductive or erotic behavior while at the event.
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Sexual behavior between participants at the event and sexual harassment are not permitted and will not be tolerated.
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Any harassment regarding race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or disability will not be tolerated. Such harassment includes unsolicited remarks, gestures or physical contact, display or circulation of written materials or derogatory pictures directed at any of these categories.
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Sexual advances, jokes, explicit or offensive pictures, requests for sexual favors, sexting, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment.
Congregation leadership is responsible for ensuring this policy is enforced. Parents/guardians are invited to discuss this policy with youth.
Policy on Sexuality and Community For Adults
Sexual conduct and language is never appropriate around children. Adult Participants will refrain from engaging in any form of sexual, seductive, or erotic conduct with children or youth on and off site. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Explicit sexual conduct
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Seductive or erotic behavior
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Nudity or clothing inappropriate for public view
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Sharing bedding with any persons
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Sexually provocative behavior
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Jokes, innuendoes, or sexualized language
