| Mentor Handbook of American Prodigy Policies and Practices
Mentor Motto - Listening, encouraging, and responsibly supervising Dress Code- appropriate clothing must be worn at all times. - Underwear/bra must be covered (see through garments not acceptable) - No holes in the crotch, butt, or chest areas - If you have a collar, why not try popping it? - No vulgar, off color, suggestive, demeaning, or proselytizing pictures, symbols, or language may be worn. This includes purses, bags, etc� Language - appropriate language must be used at all times - The word crap is acceptable, expletives and vulgarities �worse� than crap must not be used - Made up expletives and vulgarities like �Tarnation� are acceptable - No demeaning, ethnic, racist, sexist, or bigoted slurs are acceptable - Do not make fun of, gossip, or belittle others - Sexual jokes, innuendos, or references are not acceptable - Be encouraging and positive. Proselytizing - Do not proactively share your faith, politics, or ethics - Wait to be asked your opinion on controversial issues, and then briefly summarize your views. - Do not debate controversial issues - Feel free to keep your views to yourself - Do not give speeches. - Do not hand out literature of any kind unless it is beforehand approved - Do not interrupt a student debate, discussion, or conversation unless it becomes heated and argumentative - When giving your opinion remember to state it as such - Be sensitive to those with highly scrutinized views. For instance, vegetarians, atheists, intelligent design proponents, communists, scientologists, et cetera Harassment - Any behavior that continually bothers or pesters someone is not tolerated. - If a person says your behavior bothers/pesters them, then stop - If a person is bothered by something related to the program, like someone afraid of snakes being made to walk through a grassy field, try your best to accommodate them. If unable to meet their need, apologize for the trouble, and fill out an incident report. - No means No! Always stop when you hear �no�, �stop�, or �don�t� - Be aware that though a person is laughing, like when they make a joke about his/herself, it is wise to change the topic and not continue the teasing. Dismissal - Breaking American Prodigy practices and policies is grounds for dismissal - The Director may dismiss mentors or students when he/she deems necessary - The Director shall fill out an incident report upon dismissal - All program equipment and materials shall be returned upon dismissal - A dismissed student/mentor will be unable to participate in American Prodigy - A student/mentor may reapply, but must demonstrate a change in behavior Dating Policy - Mentors can�t date, flirt, or have any romantic interaction with students - The only exception is if a student and mentor are engaged or married before joining the program - Mentors may date other mentors. Students may date other students - Flirtatious behavior is discouraged at all American Prodigy meetings - American Prodigy is not a dating service, mentors/students should avoid dating around within the program Emergency - If there is a life threatening emergency call 911 - Fill out an incident report after every emergency - Inform parents or family members of incidents when necessary - Cooperate fully with the authorities when applicable - Notify Director of all emergencies Incident Report - Protect yourself by filling out an incident report for any problem - Fill out report if there is an injury, student makes a pass on you, threat, etc� - Fill out report completely. Include witness names, numbers, and signatures - Notify Director of any incident immediately to ensure accountability. - Fill out report immediately after incident. Waiting a long time to fill out a report means trouble - Never refuse a student or other mentor who wishes to fill out an incident report from doing so Physical Interaction - For your protection practice low physical interaction - Wrestling, long embraces, cuddling, tickling, etc are not aloud - Absolutely no touching of private areas, this includes the butt - Never reach underneath clothing - Suggestive interaction, even if not touching, is inappropriate - Mentors may not give students massages unless it is a project (vice versa) - Same gender physical interaction is preferred over opposite gender - Be aware of people�s personal space. Don�t pop their bubble. Confidentiality - Keep information in confidence, it builds trust - The exception is if someone has, is, or will injure his/herself or someone else - Do not give out phone numbers, address, or other personal information - Be careful even when giving out information to parents. Parents without custody are the most common abductors of children. - If a parole officer, school principal, or other such authority requests a report on the student then refer them to the Director Parental Authority - respect the parents and their obligation to raise their children - Parents sometimes create obstacles in completing projects, this is okay and to be expected - Never tell a parent how to raise their children - If a student is being abused, don�t go to the parent, fill out an incident report and let the authorities take care of it. - If a parent has a problem with you then fill out an incident report and notify the Director Mentor versus Peer - cultivate a relationship for student growth - Friendship is expected within mentorship and is encouraged - Mentors give their lives, experience, and time without asking anything from the student in return - The act of mentorship is the reward for the mentor - Mentors should purpose to enrich, educate, and set an example - American Prodigy needs supervision and responsible adult mentors - Mentors are to influence students, not the other way around Weapons - all weapons are strictly forbidden - Knives, guns, or other blunt objects that may be seen as a weapon aren�t aloud - Inconspicuous keychain knives and other such items must stay concealed - Play guns or knives that may be mistaken as weapons aren�t aloud Drugs and Alcohol - all illicit drugs and alcohol are forbidden - Students and mentors must report all prescription drugs to Director before leaving on The Trip or The Camp - Students/mentors may not share prescription drugs - Students/mentors should not attend meetings under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs - Mentors must fill out an incident report upon finding any alcohol or drugs Supervision - stay with students at all times - At The Trip and The Camp, mentors must always know where the students are - American Prodigy wants a zero percent pregnancy rate at all meetings - Close supervision is needed when using expensive equipment, cooking, when around risky materials like using paint in a closed room, etc� - Never be alone with a student, especially the opposite gender Discipline - intervene, listen, and discipline students when necessary - Step 1: Intervene and stop inappropriate behavior - Step 2: Listen to the explanation about circumstances of behavior - Step 3: Gently, yet resolutely, give a consequence for the behavior - Step 4: Fill out incident report - Do not use corporal punishment, humiliation, or berating - Err on the side of too soft a punishment rather than too harsh - Seek other mentors for assistance or contact the Director Safety - Ensure the safety of everyone around you - Be aware and make students aware of evacuation plans - Be aware of student/mentor health issues - Err on the side of caution - Consider safety risks and plan accordingly - Make students aware of all safety risks - Enforce safety rules like no running in a pool area Sharing Personal Information - be conservative with your personal information - Mentors are encouraged to not give out their cell phone numbers, address, and other contact information unless appropriate - Be appropriate with stories about past or current relationships, legal issues, and mistakes that set a bad example, like saying how fun it is to smoke crack - Don�t give a student's family member or friend his/her information without the student's written consent - Don�t discuss your sexual preferences, ideal spouse, or romantic ventures |
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