Do you have any special skills, trainings, qualifications, or certifications that would be applicable?
Please list any skills or qualifications that you feel are helpful when working with young kids in an athletic setting.
ATHLETICS UNITED VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES:
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As an Athletics United (AU) volunteer, you agree to uphold AU’s core values and follow standards to keep participants and yourself safe in all interactions. Athletics United’s standards are informed by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and based on your level of volunteer engagement, you may be asked to complete and maintain a U.S. SafeSport Certification. Here is a list of policies to keep you and AU athletes safe during practice and beyond:
Foster and model AU’s core values:
- We take care of ourselves
- We take care of each other
- We try our best
- This is a safe space
1:1 interactions:
- As a general rule, all non-observable 1:1 interactions should be avoided.
- In a situation where there is 1:1 interaction, it should be observable and interruptible.
- Bring another coach or athlete with you when transporting participants to/from practice.
- Should a participant need to use the restroom while at practice, volunteer coaches should accompany them with another athlete or coach to the restroom, but not into the restroom.
Text / Email / Social Media Interactions:
- Should a volunteer share their phone number with a participant to arrange rides etc., copy another coach, board member, or the child’s parents when texting.
- Apply these same principles to messaging on social media - add another coach or board member to the message.
- Should a participant call you via video, treat this as a 1:1 interaction - it must be observable & interruptible.
Limit any phone or message interactions to reasonable hours.
Photography / Video:
- Photographs or videos of athletes should only be taken in public view.
- Any photo/video taken must observe generally accepted standards of decency.
- Adult Participants should not share or post photos or videos of Minor Athletes unless proper consent has been obtained from the Minor Athlete and the Minor Athlete’s parent/guardian.
- AU requires that all participants’ parents select their level of photo permissions for their child upon signup.
- An AU board member can help volunteers understand what photos are appropriate to use.
Gifting & Proselytizing:
- Please refrain from giving gifts to participants that would not be distributed equally to all participants. This includes food, money or other items.
- Athletics United respects all cultures and religious beliefs. However well-intentioned, volunteer coaches should refrain from proactively imposing their personal beliefs on participants or families at any time.
Driving Athletes: If you elect to assist with transportation, you have the privilege of being the “face” of the organization and have the opportunity to build AU’s reputation in the community. A background check is required and you agree to:
- Avoid 1:1 interactions as outlined above.
- Transport children safely: Utah recommends all children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat of the car.
- Walk participants to the door and ensure they enter their home safely.
- Avoid entering the home without a parent or guardian present (1:1 interaction violation)
- Maintain your own automobile insurance.
Outside Interactions:
AU’s mission is to build community, and we encourage volunteers to get to know participants’ families. As relationships develop please follow this guidance:
Should a volunteer coach engage with a participant outside of an AU event, others should be present and parental consent must be obtained.
By typing your name below, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these volunteer guidelines.
