In addition to Safety Activity Checkpoints, which you should consult before each troop activity, these policies explain some of the “do’s and don’ts” when it comes to behavior and safety related issues. This includes how to report an incident, accident, or suspected abuse.
Relationships
Relationships built through Girl Scout activities are intended to be platonic (i.e., friendly and not romantic or sexual). Public displays of affection (i.e., PDA or romantic touching) during GSNEO events are discouraged. This policy applies to all members of GSNEO, including Girl Scouts, volunteers, and employees.
Adult Behavior
Any adult, member or otherwise, whose behavior is not in keeping with the standards outlined in the Girl Scout Promise and Law, Volunteer Essentials, their respective position description, as well as those set forth by this council may be ineligible to volunteer, may be terminated from their position, may be barred from attending Girl Scout activities, and/or may be barred from GSNEO properties. All adults are compelled to comply with the guidelines set forth in the Parent/Caregiver Support Agreement.
Youth Behavior
GSNEO encourages volunteers to use the Girl Scout Code of Conduct Agreement to set behavioral expectations and consequences within a troop setting. Volunteers must work with council staff to attempt to resolve behavior issues that negatively impact the troop environment. Council staff will make reasonable efforts to engage the parent/caregiver of the Girl Scout in question for assistance in resolving behavioral issues. GSNEO reserves the right to remove a Girl Scout from a troop or limit participation in any other capacity (e.g. service unit or council events) after reasonable efforts have been made to correct behavior not aligned with Girl Scout Code of Conduct Agreement or when there is a concern for girl safety.
See Safety Activity Checkpoints and GSNEO's No Prob-Llamas: Conflict Resolution for Girls curriculum for additional guidelines and resources about youth violence and bullying.
No Prob-Llamas: Conflict Resolution for Girls
The council is committed to an environment and climate in which relationships are characterized by dignity, respect, courtesy, and equitable treatment. It is the policy of the organization to provide all with an environment free from all forms of unlawful or unwelcomed harassment, hostility, and bullying; and therefore, it will not be tolerated.
This policy includes physical violence as well as intimidation, stalking, coercion, display of weapons, threats, and talking or joking about harassment or hostility, whether in person or through some other means of communications such as writing, phone, voice mail, email, or any form of social media.
Bullying/Cyberbullying
According to the US Department of Health and Human Resources, “bullying” is defined as aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength, typically repeated over time.
Cyberbullying is bullying that occurs online. Whether cyberbullying occurs in email, a text message, an online game, or on a social networking site, it is prohibited. This includes rumors or images posted online where other people may see them. GSNEO will cooperate with police, schools, and other organizations that share our values who are attempting to enforce laws, regulations, and rules regarding cyberbullying regardless of the potential punishment.
Anyone, regardless of volunteer or member status, who violates this policy and/or refuses to abide by this policy, is prohibited from holding volunteer positions with GSNEO and from attending Girl Scout activities, events, and meetings. Any volunteer who engages in or encourages bullying is subject to release from their volunteer position.
Sexual Harassment
The council reserves the right to refuse membership or reappointment and to dismiss or suspend from affiliation with the council any volunteer who is guilty of sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual acts or favors, abusing the dignity of another through insulting or degrading sexual remarks or conduct, and threats or suggestions that a volunteer’s status is conditioned upon toleration of or acquiescence to sexual advances. Some examples of sexual harassment that could create a hostile environment include telling of sexual jokes or stories, the presence of sexually explicit photographs or other materials, making sexual comments about another person’s body, making sexual comments or innuendoes, asking personal questions about another person’s social or sexual life, staring, leering, and making sexual gestures.
The council supports and maintains environments that are free of child abuse and neglect as defined by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.
The council reserves the right to refuse membership endorsement or reappointment, and to dismiss or to exclude from affiliation with the council, any volunteer who in the judgment of the council poses a risk of injury to a minor or is believed to have abused or neglected any child or who has been convicted of any crime against a child. Child abuse and neglect are unlawful acts and it is against the council’s policy for any volunteer member to physically, sexually, or mentally abuse another member or neglect any child. The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio has zero tolerance for abuse and will not tolerate the mistreatment or abuse of members in its programs.
If any volunteer reasonably suspects or reasonably believes a Girl Scout member is being abused, that volunteer should immediately report these suspicions to the Department of Job and Family Services, by calling 855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453). Reports can be anonymous, and should be made in the county in which the child lives or was abused. The volunteer must also complete and file a GSNEO Incident/Accident Report Form within 24 hours.
If a volunteer is uncomfortable reporting their suspicions, the Volunteer Relations team at GSNEO may assist by making the official report, as GSNEO staff are mandated reporters.
All adults who work with Girl Scout youth members are REQUIRED by GSNEO's insurance carrier to complete virtual Youth Protection Training on gsLearn (NOTE: You must be logged into gsLearn to open this link). This training covers GSNEO policies, warning signs of child abuse and neglect, as well as how to report suspected abuse, and prevention strategies for keeping Girl Scout members safe.
Retaliation against anyone who has reported an allegation of harassment, sexual harassment, or any violation of any council policy is expressly prohibited and, if it occurs, will be grounds for disciplinary action up to and including termination of the person who has engaged in the retaliatory behavior.
GSNEO relies on dedicated and trusted volunteers to promote the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
A conflict of interest exists when the interests or concerns of any volunteer member, any member of their family, or any party, group, or organization in which the volunteer is actively involved may be seen as competing with the interests or concerns of GSNEO.
Volunteer members or any member of their family, acting individually, or on behalf of another entity to which they have allegiance or obligation, should not utilize their position with GSNEO for any personal advantage or for the advantage of another entity.
Volunteers should not use for personal advantage or for the advantage of another entity, confidential information or material acquired through their position at GSNEO (including but not limited to rosters, mailing lists, phone directories, branded materials, social media pages, and the like).
Animals may not be brought onto any GSNEO property without the written permission of the Chief Executive Officer or their designee. Volunteers must follow Safety Activity Checkpoints for Animal Interaction when engaging with animals in programs activities. In accordance with ADA law, exceptions will be made for registered service animals needed to assist persons with disabilities. Individuals with service animals are not required to disclose the medical reason, and privacy should be respected. Emotional support animals, trained or untrained, are not permitted.
The use of smoking/vaping/tobacco products is prohibited whenever youth members are present in any environment, including vehicles transporting youth members.
Smoking/vaping/tobacco products may not be in view of youth members in any environment.
Smoking/vaping/tobacco products may not be used inside GSNEO offices or camp buildings.
Smoking/vaping/tobacco products are permitted only in designated outdoor areas at GSNEO camps as indicated in The Compass for each camp property.
No person may purchase, consume, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs/substances, prescription, or over-the-counter medications which impair performance or judgment on GSNEO property, in the presence of youth members, during any GSNEO-sanctioned activity (including volunteer meetings), while conducting council business, or in Girl Scout branded clothing.
Alcohol or any substance which may impair one’s judgment must never be used by volunteers, adult members, or any other adult in the presence of a youth member immediately prior to, or during a Girl Scout activity. Alcoholic beverages may be served to/consumed by adults of legal age at council events when youth members are not present only when previously approved by the council Board of Directors or Chief Executive Officer.
Youth members may be permitted to attend functions at locations where alcohol is incidentally being purchased by adults and then taken away to be consumed elsewhere, away from youth members. For example, an event taking place at an arena, stadium, theme park, movie theater, or places where alcoholic beverages are sold at a concession stand and taken away to be consumed is permissible.
Firearms and/or weapons are prohibited at any Girl Scout activity and on council-owned or leased property except when in the possession of a sworn officer of the law, a certified instructor, licensed wildlife control personnel, and/or trained adult while conducting a council-approved Girl Scout program activity.
A general first-aider is an adult who has taken Girl Scout approved first-aid and CPR training that includes specific instructions for child CPR, as well as AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training through the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America, or American Heart Association. General first-aiders are required to be present for any troop activities beyond a regular troop meeting. GSNEO strongly encourages all troops to have a general first-aider present at all times, and makes certification accessible and affordable. Additionally, troops must always have a first aid kit present.
If an emergency occurs, Girl Scout volunteers must follow GSNEO Emergency Action Plan. These guidelines ensure that safety is the number one concern in any emergency situation, and volunteers are guided to seek help and report the incident efficiently and effectively. Volunteers should not make statements of ANY KIND to the media. Do NOT give out any names or information. Ask the media to contact the GSNEO. If you have an emergency after business hours, call the emergency phone line at 330-472-2389. Volunteers must also refrain from posting and/or sharing pictures or comments on social media related to the emergency situation.
Volunteers are required to submit the Incident/Accident Report Form to GSNEO within 24 hours of an incident/accident.
If a volunteer is subpoenaed regarding an incident that occurred during Girl Scouts, the volunteer must notify council.
GSNEO respects the privacy of its members. Personal Health and Medical Forms are to be completed upon registration and then reviewed annually for all Girl Scouts and adult volunteers. A new form should be completed every three (3) years, and the original form can be initialed by the parent/caregiver or adult member in subsequent years. One copy stays in the troop leader/event coordinator's possession, and one goes with the adult driver/chaperone if applicable (note that this information should be kept confidential; you may wish to keep the forms in a sealed envelope in case of emergency).
It is important for you to be aware of any medications a girl or adult volunteer may take or allergies they may have. Keep in mind the following:
Staying Healthy – Preventing Communicable Diseases
Volunteers should take reasonable precautions to limit exposure and prevent transmission of communicable diseases (e.g., chicken pox, COVID-19, influenza, measles, pink eye)
If known exposure of a communicable disease occurs at a Girl Scout meeting or event, follow guidance from the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC. Notify participants that they were exposed while maintaining confidentiality of the individual who is ill. If you don’t know the event coordinator (for example, attended a partner-led event or attended a council-sponsored program), please submit a GSNEO Incident/Accident Report Form. Council staff will make reasonable attempts to notify participants who were in close contact.