|
Report
on Beach Con 2001 Purpose: Conferences (cons) are one of the ways that the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) fosters community for Unitarian Universalist Youth. Below are the Purposes and Goals of the YRUU: Purposes of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists · Young Religious Unitarian Universalists shall serve its members for the purposes of fostering spiritual depth, creating a peaceful community on earth and peace within us, and clarifying both individual and universal religious values as part of our growth process. Our purposes are to provide and manifest a greater understanding of Unitarian Universalism, and to encourage the flow of communication between youth and adults. · In doing so, we shall nurture the freedom and integrity of the questioning mind, and embrace all persons of diverse backgrounds. We shall encourage the development of a spirit of independence and responsibility. · We shall strive to support our members and member groups with educational resources, a communications network, and with love. · These purposes shall assist us in developing an effective system for social action, and serve to raise our levels of mutual respect, communication, and community consciousness. The Goals of YRUU · Establish a continental community of youth. · Provide for worship, celebration, and rites of passage. · Build the Unitarian Universalist movement: its traditions, membership, and heritage. · Develop personal growth and leadership skills. · Develop individual social consciousness: be group agents of change and encourage members to be peaceful citizens of the world. · Develop a communications network. · Develop educational resources. · Develop continuity between program levels, from younger to older. · Foster tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of diversity. · Provide resources for identifying and training program advisors. · Develop skills in group interaction and relationship building. · Build a greater understanding between youth and adults. History: This year the third Beach Con that UUFEC has hosted. The tradition was begun by UUFEC and continues because we not only have the best beaches in the country in our backyard, but we also have a well functioning, cohesive youth group to plan it and produce it. The money raised by Beach Con has traditionally been used to subsidize youth to Continental Conference (ConCon) and/or General Assembly. The first year two youth were sent to ConCon in Iowa; last year two youth from UUFEC were sent to ConCon in Virginia. This year two youth from the MSD were sent to General Assembly, one from UUFEC (Valparaiso) and one from UUCA (Atlanta). A total of $820 was raised, with $543.10 available for G.A. expenses. (spreadsheet available upon request.) Beach Con is one of the most popular and well-attended cons in the Mid-South District. Beach Con is known to parents and advisors as a well planned, well organized event; it is known the youth as a weekend of fun and Fellowship, the last weekend for UU youth to meet before the summer. This year youth from three different districts attended, Florida, Mid-South, and Thomas Jefferson. The geographical four corners spanned from Tallahassee to Oak Ridge Tennessee, from Oxford to Ocean Springs Mississippi and included all points in between. Logistics: The advisors at Beach Con have been very successful at working around the building usage schedules. The philosophy class meets on Saturday in the back of the church; we hold workshops at this time in the nursery, R.E. room, and (weather permitting) outdoors at this time. The afternoon and early evening are spent at the beach. Wake-up time on Sunday morning is 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. in order to get everyone fed and the facility cleaned before the service. A training was held the week before Beach Con, attended by the primary advisors for the con. In order to accommodate youth from congregations that hadve no advisors able to attend, we make arrangements for advisors from other groups and/or UUFEC to "sponsor" those youth. We are proud to say that the ratio of advisors to youth this year was right at 3:1. An orientation is held on the first evening of the con, in which the rules and policies of the con and church are explained, touch groups are assigned and the Spirit Committee elected. (see appendix A for explanation of touch groups and Spirit Committee) At the first Beach Con, there were problems with what was perceived to be "inappropriate behavior". Further investigation revealed that some of the local advisors brought their elementary school children with them to the Beach. What was deemed "inappropriate" for them is perfectly healthy behavior for teenagers. The past two years we have restricted the entire con to youth attendees and advisors only. This year there were three incidents brought to the attention of the spirit committee: a couple (who were really only trying to find a quiet place to sleep) bedded down in an inappropriate area; some of the attendees left the building without the knowledge and consent of the advisors; one of the youth cut his foot on some concrete down by the bayou. All youth were very compliant when advised of their infractions and the incidents ended there. Corrective measures to be taken to avoid this kind of incident next year will be a better explanation of the rules of the con at orientation and not allowing anyone at the bayou without some sort of water shoes. Policies: Beach Con is not an official MSD YAC sponsored event; however, all YAC policies and guidelines are strictly enforced (see appendix A) and the proceeds are reserved for MSD youth. In addition to the YAC policies and guidelines, the following are UUFEC-specific: The YRUU recommends that one advisor be present for each three to four youth. Each youth not from the UUFEC must have an advisor who is responsible for that youth, including youth who drive themselves to the con. Advisors remain at the church the entire weekend, so there is abundant supervision during the daytime. We have youth coming to Beach Con from as far away as Tennessee, so it is generally arranged that these advisors not be expected to chaperone overnight. This is left up to volunteers from UUFEC. YRUU guidelines state that at least one adult should be awake at all times; at UUFEC we have two. The sleeping policy is the least understood of the YRUU policies. YRUU guidelines stress the need for male only, female only, mixed sleeping rooms. At UUFEC we also try to have an “awake” room. Shared bedding is allowed at senior high cons only. In a nutshell, the youth like to group together and fall asleep where they lie. They call these “puppy piles.” This leads to the sharing of blankets, whether it be members of the same opposite gender. The line is drawn at blankets, there is no sharing of sleeping bags allowed, no matter what the gender(s). Beach Con is designated as a Senior High Con. However, two members of our youth group will still be in middle school next year and wished to attend. The original stipulation was that they sleep in the all female sleeping room and not share a blanket; however, concerns were raised at the advisor training and we decided on a no-shared bedding policy for all attendees. The youth agreed to this stipulation and it was honored by all. · This con adhered strictly to the Big Four. · No Alcohol or Drugs · No Weapons · No Violence · No Sex There is a strict policy on sexual activity at cons and all are expected to follow it. (See attachment A.) The parents of all UUFEC youth have received copies of YAC policies and agree to them. In addition to the above, as it is illegal in the state of Florida for youth under the age of 18 to smoke, there is a strict non-smoking policy at all UUFEC cons. As the adults are role models for the youth, we also ask that they refrain from smoking during the con. Policy of the yac
of the msd (Appendix A) General
Guidelines for Youth Events: Conferences are a vehicle for youth empowerment and as such should be planned and organized by youth. A Spirit Committee comprised of youth and adults should be assembled at any youth event to handle rules infractions and any other serious issue that might arise. The following are guidelines that can assist when organizing youth events. REGISTRATION: Send a conference flyer, directions, and a registration form to the DRE and/or Youth Coordinator from each of the congregations/fellowships/churches invited to your youth event. When possible, it is also helpful to mail the information directly to the youth associated with these congregations. The registration form should include places for insurance information, age, church affiliation, conference rules, and both youth and legal guardian signature lines accepting the rules listed on the registration form. The legal guardian’s signature should also give consent for any necessary medical treatment, including surgical care if it is needed. If smoking is permitted with parental permission, then the form should also include a place for this to be indicated. A registration/welcome booth should be established during the first few hours of the event. If pre-registration was not required, then registration forms and payments can be accepted at the door. Pre-registered attendees should be checked-in at the door. All attendees must be registered and checked-in prior to participating in the event. ORIENTATION: An orientation should be led by one of the youth leaders within a couple of hours of the identified event start time. The orientation should cover: · Rules: No sex, No drugs or alcohol, No weapons or violence (see attached policies for details concerning smoking, sexual behavior, and sleeping arrangements.) · Building/congregation rules. For example: some congregations have designated areas outside the building that they consider safe for the youth even at night whereas other congregations do not consider it safe to go outside the building after dark without adult supervision.) · No one should leave during the event unless previous arrangements were made with a legal guardian and an advisor. · The spirit committee should be explained (see below) and the members selected. Youth leaders and spirit committee members should be introduced. · Any attendees that arrive after orientation should be individually oriented by one of the youth leaders. SPIRIT COMMITTEE: The Spirit Committee is charged with dealing with rules infractions and other serious issues that may occur at a youth event. The Spirit Committee is comprised of the following members: a senior YAC officer, one adult and one youth from the hosting congregations where applicable, one adult-at-large, and two youth-at-large. In the event that there are no host representatives, the two positions should be filled by one adult and one youth at large. ADVISORS: A minimum of two youth advisors should be present at all events, regardless how small the group. There should be at least one advisor awake at all times when youth are awake. Advisors should sign, or have previously signed, a youth advisor code of ethics form. CONTENT: We suggest you include a minimum of two workshop slots, community building activities, games, and touch-groups during the conference. Touch-groups are small breakout groups that meet periodically throughout the weekend. For a weekend conference, be prepared to provide three meals on Saturday, breakfast on Sunday, and snacks throughout the weekend. Smoking: This document will serve as the Smoking Policy for all youth events following MSD guidelines, and applies equally to youth and adults. If a church’s smoking policy or local laws are more restrictive , they will supercede this policy at all times. Smoking will only be permitted · during free time and breaks, · with permission of legal guardians, for minors · in a designated area YAC membership registration includes a smoking permission slip which will be kept on file with the Youth Coordinator to the Board. This letter of permission will apply to all YAC meetings; separate permission is necessary for all other events. There will be a space on the registration forms to parents to indicate whether their child has permission to smoke. If a youth does not have parental permission to smoke, they must not enter the designated smoking area. There will be a “no bumming” rule in effect. This means, “If you don’t bring it, don’t smoke it.” Sexual
Behavior at Youth Events: The Youth-Adult Committee of the Mid-South District recognizes that sexuality is an integral aspect of the human experience; we also recognize that people have different levels of comfort with regard to sexuality and its expression. This policy is designed to empower youth by giving them an environment which is, to the greatest extent possible, devoid of sexual pressure. Youth advisors will be requested to sign and adhere to the Code of Ethics published by the UUA. This policy is in accordance with the Code of Ethics for persons working with Children and Youth in UUA Sponsored Programs (General Assembly, 1986), as it strives to create appropriate boundaries between youth and adults. This document will serve as the Sexual Behavior Policy for all youth events following MSD guidelines. Sex will be defined as oral, anal and/or vaginal intercourse, and shall be prohibited in all its forms. Two or more individuals who engage in sex shall be sent home immediately at their own expense; and their parents or guardians shall be notified; and they shall not be allowed back to a MSD Youth event for one year. In the event that one of the transgressors is a YAC delegate or officer, their membership will be terminated immediately. They will be ineligible for YAC membership for the remainder of their term, as well as the following term. Additionally, “heavy petting” will be prohibited; this is defined as intentional touching in the female pelvic and chest area, and the male pelvic area by another individual. Also, any behavior that makes others feel uncomfortable may be stopped by someone asking the parties involved to stop. Separate, clearly marked sleeping areas will be provided for male, female and co-ed sleeping. Youth may share a blanket if a) they are in an area designated as a sleeping area, b) there are five or more event attendees present in the room, and c) there is at least one advisor present. Two people “zipped up” in a sleeping bag shall be prohibited. Youth are not permitted to share a blanket at events at which junior high youth are present. For any other violations of this policy consequences shall be determined on an individual basis by the elected Spirit Committee. The aforementioned governing bodies shall provide separate, clearly marked sleeping areas for males, females, and co-ed sleeping. Youth share a blanket when a) they are in an area designated as a sleeping area, b) there are five or more conference attendees present in the room, and c) there is at least one advisor present. Youth are not permitted to share a blanket at events at which junior high youth are present. Consequences shall be made on an individual basis by the elected spirit committee.
|