1. The Workshop Will Begin in a Moment

2. MidAmerica Youth Advisor Series
April 17, 2012
Chaperoning Youth
Nancy Combs-Morgan
MidAmerica Coordinator for Emerging Models
in Youth and Young Adult Ministries,
ncombsmorgan@uua.org

3. Introductions

4. You’ve been asked to chaperone….
• Important question to consider: “Do you have
clarity of the expectations for chaperoning youth
from your congregation?
• As adults chaperoning youth we must be aware of
and to practice appropriate boundaries

5. What are “appropriate boundaries?”
• Appropriate boundaries with youth involve:
• Maintaining awareness
• Having a clear sense of accountability (personal
and institutional)
• Keeping a balance of responsibility and protection.
“Balancing Compassion and Protection,” Debra
Haffner, http://www.uua.org/safe/handbook/reand/165937.shtml

6. The bigger picture…
• Chaperones are our first line in promoting
and protecting the health, safety, and well-
being of the youth.
• It is every chaperones duty to be a
reliable, positive, role model whom youth
can turn to…

7. “Why is safety so important?”
• Youth in Unitarian Universalist congregations need
a safe environment in which they can share
themselves in a genuine way and develop as
leaders.
• Rev. Sarah Gibb, “Creating Policies in Youth
Groups”,http:www.uua.org/safe/handbook/reand/165938.
shtml

8. As a Chaperone, “Practice the “Balance”
• Seek a balance of maintaining good boundaries
and being youth empowering.
• Be explicit and transparent about your
responsibilities around confidentiality.
• When you have a “red flag,” or a sense of
uncertainity arises about a particular situation,
use a team approach with other chaperones!

9. Practicing the Balance
• Share early and often with youth that you
use a “team approach,” and that any
information shared that the youth is at risk
of being a danger to themselves or others
will be shared.
• Keep conversation friendly, but not of a
personal matter…
• “Balancing Acts,”
http://www.uua.org/safe/children/index.shtml

10. Good Policies Serve the Health and Well-Being of
our youth
 Does your congregation have a written
policy on chaperoning youth? If so, have
you agreed to this policy?
 What policies apply to transporting youth?
 Chaperones should be in pairs, whether
traveling, or at a fixed site.

11. Good Communication
 Before the event or trip, chaperones should take
part in an orientation session
 At the session, review your congregation’s
Code of Ethics for persons working with youth
 Anticipate and discuss unexpected issues –
youth departing without permission; illness or
emergencies, and severe weather responses

12. Be mindful…
 Strive to always work in pairs with another
chaperone
 Never publicly discipline a youth before
speaking with them one on one
 Even upon invitation, “step back” from
direct physical activities with youth

13. Be Mindful, cont….
 Keep copies of emergency medical forms
with you at all times
 Have emergency contact numbers, more
than one, for each youth
 Ask that youth also keep a copy of their
emergency forms and contact information
with them, just in case…

14. Good Boundaries and Safety Guidelines
When we set up clear limitations, expectations,
responsibilities and accountability, then we…
model the expectation that adults working with
youth will be, “faith-keepers, trust builders and
care-givers.”*
*(“Upholding Trust in the Religious Education
Community.”)

15. When there isn’t explicit clarity of next steps…
 There will always be those situations where clear
next steps are not evident.
 Respond by first trusting your instincts. “If it feels
uncomfortable, move towards gathering more
information, not taking immediate action”. Marie
Fortune, http://www.uua.org/safe/handbook/justice/165972.shtml

16. When next steps are clearly indicated….
 Review with other chaperones the shared
expectations of when next steps must be taken.
 Action is required when issues of safety, abuse,
drug or alcohol use are indicated.
 Chaperones should act and report on issues that
indicate that the youth is a danger to themselves or
others .

17. Remember….
 “Our responsibility to spiritually and emotionally nurture
our children and youth is everpresent and siginificant…
 We can significantly “reduce the risk” by creating and
following preventative policies
 For, when we create explicit guidelines for appropriate
behavior we define the values that are important to us.”
 http://www.uua.org/safe/handbook/reand/165827.shtml


18. Why and When Youth Test Limits…
 WBoredom
 There are no limits or clear guidelines
 T Activities lack group participation
 T Lack of understanding from leader
 T Want a role in planning - empower
 T Fear of failure – discouragement*
 http://orange.ifas.ufl.edu/4h/pdffiles/Clubs/Orange%20County%20Chaperone%20Training.pdf

19. Keep in mind to:
 Enjoy, accept, and encourage youth.
 Model the behavior you want youth to
emulate.
 Clarify expectations (strive for
consistency).
 Don’t expect youth to do everything the
way you would.
 Display tolerance and flexibility.

20. Keep in mind, cont…
 Assist youth in making decisions
 Do not direct or manipulate, but be
available as a coach and mentor.
 Show by behavior that youth input is
valued.
 Give away ownership and power
 Communicate clearly and often.

21. Chaperoning Resources
 Rev. Sarah Gibb, “Creating Policies in Youth
Groups”,http:www.uua.org/safe/handbook/reand/165938.shtml
 Safe Congregations Handbook:
 http://www.uua.org/safe/handbook/reand/165827.shtml
 “Chaperoning”
http://4h.missouri.edu/resources/materials/docs/chaperons.pdf
 “Balancing Acts,” http://www.uua.org/safe/children/index.shtml
 Church Mutual, Safety resources:
 http://www.churchmutual.com/index.php/choice/risk/page/intro/id/21

22. Q&A

23. Thank You