POLICIES OF CONDUCT
Truthbase Theatricals - Policies of Conduct
**All adult (over age 18) employees and volunteers are required to read these policies and sign below. Both parents of a student's family should execute this form. It is only necessary to sign this form once each season. Completed forms are effective for the entire production year (September to September).**
POLICIES OF CONDUCT
A. POLICY AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
Truthbase Theatricals is committed to creating an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment based on race, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, genetic characteristics, or any other classification protected by law. Unlawful harassment or discrimination against anyone will not be tolerated. This policy covers Truthbase Theatricals Volunteers and all of its Employees, and includes, without limitation, its Teachers, Assistants, Artistic and Production Team Members, Officers, Directors, Parent Volunteers and any others involved in Truthbase Theatricals activities. Those found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment at Truthbase Theatricals and/or termination of any participation in Truthbase Theatricals activities.
No one involved in Truthbase Theatricals is exempt from this policy.
Discrimination is the adverse treatment of any person based on the protected class or category of persons to which he or she belongs, rather than on the basis of his or her individual merit.
Harassment is unwelcome verbal or physical conduct directed toward, or differential treatment of, a person because of his or her membership in any protected group or on any other prohibited basis (e.g., race, gender, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, or marital status) Discrimination and Harassment are prohibited and will not be tolerated. Examples of conduct which may be discrimination or harassment, and which, therefore, are prohibited, include:
1. Offensive physical actions or gestures, offensive written or spoken language and/or graphic communications.
2. Physical contact or touching that is unauthorized or unwelcome by the recipient. In general, minors should not be touched unless they have orally expressed consent to the contact. Children should never be touched on areas of their bodies that would normally be covered by a bathing suit. Spotting or instructing a child in dance, gymnastics or theater stunts is permitted but should be conducted with the consent of the child and in a manner that avoids inappropriate physical contact.
3. Using profanity, slurs, vulgar speech, and communicating any jokes, writings, drawings, or gestures that are offensive.
4. Any conduct of a sexually suggestive or provocative nature.
5. Making comments likely to humiliate, degrade, shame or threaten.
6. Communicating or revealing intimate details of one’s personal life, or intimate displays of affection at Truthbase Theatricals activities.
Anyone who believes he or she is being discriminated against or being harassed should immediately report the conduct to Truthbase Theatricals Leadership. Employees of Truthbase Theatricals and Adult Volunteers must promptly report all allegations of discrimination or harassment to the Executive Director for investigation. All such reports will be discretely, promptly and thoroughly investigated. Prompt remedial action will be taken should investigation reveal that discrimination or harassment has taken place.
Complaints made in good faith will not result in any adverse action against any employee, volunteer, or student. Under no circumstances will a Truthbase Theatricals student, volunteer or employee be penalized or retaliated against for reporting what is believed in good faith to be a violation of this policy. However, reporting knowingly false claims is a serious offense, is a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment at Truthbase Theatricals and/or termination of participation in Truthbase Theatricals activities.
Persons who believe they have been the victim of any discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, may also complain to the NY State Division of Human Rights. The NY State Division of Human Rights can be located online at https://dhr.ny.gov. A downloadable complaint form can be found there. You may also call the NY State Division of Human Rights by phone at 1-888-392-3644. Alternatively, you may file your complaint with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Commission may be reached by phone at 1-800- 669-4000 or mail your complaint in the form of a letter to the Commission’s NY District Office at 33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor, NY, NY 10004.
B. POLICY REGARDING CHILD ABUSE AND REPORTING STANDARDS, AND CHILDCARE.
Harm to a child caused by an adult, or older child, which is not accidental (whether intentional or unintentional) is child abuse. It may take the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse. Further, depriving a child of the basics necessary to sustain health and hygiene is neglect.
Employees and Adult Volunteers of Truthbase Theatricals should be aware of the health of each child and alert for signs of possible abuse as they participate in Truthbase Theatricals activities. Signs of abuse may include bumps, cuts, bruises, burns, etc. which are abnormal and not part of the normal “wear and tear” a child experiences, or unexplained and extended changes in behavior. Sexual abuse may also be accompanied by difficulty in walking, and undue attention or touching of private areas, disarray, etc. of clothing, reluctance to be left in the presence of a particular individual, age-inappropriate familiarity with sexual matters, or inappropriate acting out of a sexual content.
Signs of child abuse are often unclear, and may signify something in the experience of the child other than abuse. For this reason, consider approaching the parent or child with non-threatening and non-accusatory questions or comments to determine if there is a credible explanation for the condition causing concern before making a decision as to what action to take.
Section 413 of the New York Social Services Law requires a mandated reporter to report or cause a report to be made when they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child coming before them in a professional or official capacity is an abused or maltreated child. Reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or maltreatment means that, based on their rational observations, professional training and experience, they have suspicion that the parent or other person legally responsible for a child is responsible for harming that child or placing that child in imminent danger of harm. “Mandated reporters” in the state of New York include teachers, directors of a children’s day camp or summer camp, and any other child care facility worker. If you reasonably suspect physical or mental child abuse or neglect-regardless of whether you are a Truthbase Theatricals employee or volunteer-you must report your suspicions to the NY State Child Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-342-3720. You must also report your suspicions in writing (email or letter) promptly to the Truthbase Theatricals Executive Director.
Section 420 of the New York Social Services Law states: 1. Any person, official or institution required by this title to report a case of suspected child abuse or maltreatment who willfully fails to do so shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor and 2. Any person, official or institution required by this title to report a case of suspected child abuse or maltreatment who knowingly and willfully fails to do so shall be civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by such failure.
Adult Employees or Volunteers in violation of this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment at Truthbase Theatricals and/or termination of participation in Truthbase Theatricals activities.
In addition to these mandatory reporting obligations, Employees and Volunteers working with children are required to adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Truthbase Theatricals participants and students under the age of 21 shall not be permitted to possess or consume alcoholic beverages.
2. No child shall be left unsupervised.
3. No child shall be released to anyone other than the child’s parent, guardian, or another adult authorized by the parent or guardian.
4. Truthbase Theatricals Employees and Volunteers shall treat all children with respect and consideration and equally, without regard to their gender, race, religion or culture.
C. POLICY OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The Policy of Professional Conduct, in conjunction with the Policy Against Harassment and Discrimination, has been developed to delineate the conduct and behavior required of all Truthbase Theatricals Employees and Volunteers at Truthbase Theatricals activities. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory and any violation thereof is grounds for termination of employment at Truthbase Theatricals and/or termination of participation in Truthbase Theatricals activities.
1. A clean and neat appearance and appropriate attire is required at all Truthbase Theatricals activities.
2. Using, possessing or being under the influence of illegal drugs, or being under the influence of alcohol, while at a Truthbase Theatricals activity is prohibited.
3. Smoking or using tobacco in the presence of children or parents at a Truthbase Theatricals activity is prohibited.
4. Responding to all Truthbase Theatricals participants (including without limitation all employees, students, parents and audience members) with respect and consideration and treating all participants equally, without regard to their gender, race, religion or culture is required.
5. Portraying a positive role model by maintaining an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity is required.
6. Using positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than comparison and criticism is required. Establishing age appropriate expectations and setting up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline is encouraged.
7. Physical restraint shall only be used when necessary to protect the restrained child or other children from harm, and may only be administered in the least restrictive form sufficient to prevent harm. The application of any physical restraint shall be reported promptly in writing to the Executive Director.
8. Conviction of any crime (other than minor traffic violations) must be reported promptly in writing to the Executive Director for evaluation of eligibility for continued participation in Truthbase Theatricals activities.
9. Employees and Volunteers shall conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner at all times, upholding the values and mission of Truthbase Theatricals. This includes any presence and behavior on social media websites (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) available to Truthbase Theatricals participants.
10. No Employee or Volunteer shall put himself or herself in a position where he or she is alone with a single child and cannot be observed by others during Truthbase Theatricals activities.
11. No Employee or Adult Volunteer shall date any Truthbase Theatricals student under the age of 18 years while such student is participating in any Truthbase Theatricals activities.
12. No Employee or Volunteer shall communicate or reveal inappropriate materials or the intimate details of his or her personal life.
13. Intimate displays of affection by Employees and/or Volunteers at Truthbase Theatricals activities are prohibited.
The Mission of Truthbase Theatricals is to commit to building values-driven character through quality training in the arts, and producing wholesome entertainment that promotes a Scriptural worldview. Truthbase Theatricals Volunteers and Employees, including its Teachers, Assistants, Artistic Team, Board of Directors, and others involved in Truthbase Theatricals activities, must support the spirit and objectives of this Mission and their conduct in all Truthbase Theatricals activities must be consistent with it.
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