Running for Office
 
Job Descriptions
 

Delegation Information

Code of Conduct

 

GENERAL AGREEMENT OF CONDUCT

As a participant in the State YMCA Youth in Government program I have read, and I agree to uphold and adhere to the Code of Conduct items listed in this document. Character counts promoting the concepts of CARING, HONESTY, RESPONSIBILITY, and, RESPECT this agreement of conduct has been developed.

 

1. I understand that the YMCA Camp of Maine does CARE for the physical body of our participants and advisors use or possession of the following items will be prohibited during any part of our program. Any of these will be confiscated from the participant and returned to the advisor at the close of the program. Violations of this section will can cause for immediate removal from the program, and have parents come and pick the students up.

a) Smoking of any kind

b) Use of illegal substances or alcohol

c) Weapons of any type including knives, or firearms.

d) Abide by all laws of the State of Maine, county and cities of Augusta, Farmingdale, Hallowell, and Winthrop.

 

2. I understand that HONESTY is a cornerstone of our program and thus we require:

a) Participants driving personal vehicles to the weekend will not use them except in coming to and going home.

b) Participants will only be in those areas and rooms that are assigned to the Youth in Government programs.

c) Participants will represent themselves, and their schools and communities in a positive way.

d) Participants will use only factual information in furthering causes, issues, and candidates

 

3. I understand that showing RESPECT is vital to all people and facilities in our program;

a) The right of others to voice their thoughts and opinions. Also for them to be heard by others.

b) The State House is a great facility and besides being the heart of Maine State Government it is a Museum of Maine’s legislative history and must be treated as such.

c) The State House is vital to our program, without it our program could not exist; delegates must understand they must show proper respect to the facilities of the Maine State House.

d) Delegates must not remove items from any desk or office at the State House.

e) Food and drink are not permitted in the anywhere in the State House other than the first floor.

f) Those working at the State House are a great resource and are an important part in or use of the facilities, and must be shown the proper respect.

g) Those working with the program as volunteers and are critical to our success we ask that you show them the common courtesy and respect.

h) Our host families are wonderful people, who open their homes for the weekend, it is important that you show them the respect they deserve for volunteering their homes.

i) The program and your fellow participants deserve the proper respect so we ask that:

i. Participants not have head phone stereos or radios at the State House

ii Participants not wear sunglasses indoors

iii Participants not have cell phones or beepers at the State House, lap top computers may be used for program purposes, listening to music or watching movies is prohibited.

 

 

 

4. As stated earlier participants are RESPONSIBLE for their own behavior and actions during the program

a) Being on time and at all scheduled activities and meeting

b) Following the rules of committees, House, and Senate chambers during debate and discussions

c) If you must arrive late or leave early that YMCA staff are aware of this, and that you are not

In a leadership position that will be left void during your absence.

d) Participants will participate only in the role they were selected for

e) I am responsible for any damage that I do during the weekend:

i. If I have done damage I will pay for the repair or replacement

ii I will write a letter of apology to the YMCA and the State House

iii If the damage was intentional , I will not be allowed to participate in the program in the future

iv. School or YMCA will be informed about any incidence.

 

 

5. As young men and young women you are responsible for following a standard for dress during the weekend program. These standards are those followed by the Maine legislature, this DRESS CODE will be enforced:

 

MEN: Members of the House and Senate must wear a Coat and Tie, or Business & Professional attire, suits, sports coat or blazer with slacks, dressy sweater all work with a dress shirt (collared) and tie. Shirts are to be tucked in at all times.

 

WOMEN: Business & Professional attire, including business suits, dresses, skirts and sweaters or blouses, and coordinated slacks/top combination. General rule of thumb would be if you working in an office what would you wear to work each day. This isn’t a dance or an evening out with friends it should be dress for a professional environment. This is more formal, like you are going to work in an office.

 

 

ITEMS NOT ALLOWED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE:

T-shirts, mini skirts, shorts, skorts, belly (half) shirts, baseball caps and denim clothing are not allowed. No sunglasses, head phone stereos,ipods, radios, portable DVD players, or laptop computers being used to watch DVD’s etc.

 

 

RULES OF HOUSING

The State YMCA takes responsibility for finding Housing for any and all students participating, and wishing to be housed.

1. All policies in previous sections apply to host stays

2. Host families will provide breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, and a place to sleep

a) All participants are asked to bring a sleeping bag

b) All participants are asked to complete the housing information form completely

 

3. If host families aren’t available we may use gyms, barracks at local National Guard camp, camps and if needed hotels.

 

4. Participants are encouraged to make their own arrangements either with host families or hotel stays

a) Must be listed on the registration form

b) YMCA does not pay for hotels for delegations that decide to not do host stays

5. Changes in housing once we reach Augusta are not possible unless special circumstances come to the Program Directors attention.


6. Housing arrangements will be sent to advisors as soon as they are available.

 

7. We will not house any delegate alone, unless it is a request from delegate to stay with family friend of relative.

 

 

RULES OF TRANSPORTATION

Due to liability and safety considerations, the use of personal cars by delegates during the weekend is prohibited. "During the weekend" shall mean: Friday registration until Sunday's adjournment at 12:30pm. Anyone using a personal car without permission of the Program Director shall be subject to disciplinary actions (Section VI). On the registration form for the Augusta session, participants must complete who they will be traveling with, if it is a participant there must be a parental signature to authorize and accept responsibility for this form of transportation.

1. Delegates who wish to use their car to go to and from host homes in Augusta only may do so with written permission from their parents. They may not transport any other participants. Keys are to be left with the advisor or the program director each day.

 

2. Delegates may not give rides to other delegates, unless parental permission is given on the registration form

 

3. Delegates who will be arriving late on Friday must arrive in Augusta prior to 7:00pm. If a delegate can’t get to Augusta before 7:00pm we ask that they wait and arrive on Saturday morning. This is to avoid missing transportation to host families.

 

 

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

The agreements is binding and by registering and attending the conference participants and advisors are agreeing to follow the policies and procedures spelled out. Violation of these policies can lead to:

1. Call to parents to come and pick delegate up.

2. Return to host family to be dressed properly or pick up luggage.

3. All violations will be reported to parents and YMCA or school officials

4. Being removed from the program until ride home is available.

It is not the intent of this agreement to punish an entire delegation for the actions of a few. Delegations must be aware that serious violations may lead to groups not being able to participate. All participants must be aware, that serious violations of this agreement could lead the program to lose of the use of the State House facilities.

 

5. Make payment for any damage that I do to the State House, Host Family’s Home, Hotel or Buses

6. School or YMCA will be informed about any incidence.

 

 

PARTICIPANTS THAT MUST LEAVE PROGRAM EARLY

We realize that many of our participants are very busy. If you must arrive late or leave early you must make note on the program registration so the Director is aware of your situation. Delegates that are elected to leadership positions must be at the program from the beginning. That is the commitment you are making by running for the office.

 

 

AGREEMENT TO THESE POLICIES

Participants, parents, and a school or YMCA official must sign your registration form. This is an acknowledgment that you have read and agree to abide by the policies of this program. Attending the Augusta Session implies that you agree to all of the above policies set forth by the YMCA Camp of Maine and the Youth in Government Committee.

Participants and Parents must sign this code of conduct on the Augusta Registration Form.