The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, Inc. is committed to providing a safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate environment for all members, consistent with Boys & Girls Clubs of America national standards.

The goal of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem is to provide a safe environment for all children. It is the hope of the staff that every member treats the Club with respect and demonstrates proper behavior. When inappropriate behavior occurs, it is addressed quickly, professionally, consistently, and compassionately, with an emphasis on teaching and growth.

In alignment with BGCA’s Youth Development Strategy, discipline practices are designed to:

• Promote physical and emotional safety
• Build self-regulation and accountability
• Preserve a member’s dignity
• Support positive relationships with peers and adults

Parents and children should read this policy together. The underlying goal of this policy is to reinforce the idea that all behaviors and their consequences are within the member’s control, and that learning from choices is an essential part of youth development.

Minor Infractions

Examples of minor infractions include but are not limited to:

• Screaming or yelling indoors
• Rough housing
• Running in the building
• Disrespect toward other members, including name calling or teasing
• Being in an unsupervised area

Consequences for Minor Infractions

Consequences are progressive and may include:

• Phase 1: Verbal warning and or time out
• Phase 2: Activity restriction and parent or guardian notification
• Phase 3: Temporary suspension from the program

Consistent with BGCA guidance, staff will use developmentally appropriate responses, redirection, and problem solving before advancing consequences whenever possible. Repeated minor infractions may be treated as major infractions if behavior does not improve.

Major Infractions

Examples of major infractions include but are not limited to:

• Disrespect toward staff, volunteers, or Club equipment
• Bullying, intimidation, or harassment
• Inappropriate behavior in bathrooms, locker rooms, on buses or vans, or during an activity

Consequences for Major Infractions

Depending on severity and frequency:

• Phase 1: Immediate activity restriction and parent or guardian notification
• Phase 2: Suspension or removal from the program if necessary
• Phase 3: Termination of Club membership

In alignment with BGCA standards, decisions related to suspension or termination are made by Club leadership and are based on member safety, behavior history, intent, and impact on others.

Restitution may be required for damaged or broken Club property.

Zero Tolerance & Immediate Action, Suspension, or Removal

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem is a violence free, weapon free, drug free, and destruction free facility, consistent with BGCA safety policies and child protection standards.

When teaching, guidance, and problem solving have not proven successful, or when serious or dangerous behavior occurs, immediate action is required to ensure the safety of members, staff, and families.

The following behaviors will result in immediate suspension, and depending on severity, law enforcement or emergency services may be contacted:

• Physical fighting with another member, staff person, volunteer, or parent
• Physical endangerment including possession or use of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco products, or inhalants
• Theft, vandalism, or intentional destruction of Club property
• Racial or sexual harassment, including inappropriate physical contact
• Repeated violations of Club expectations or chronic behavior not changed by prior consequences
• Possession or use of weapons at the Club, including but not limited to guns, knives, slingshots, fireworks, or any item intended to cause harm

Any member found to be in possession of a weapon will be expelled immediately. There will be no second chances.

These actions align with BGCA’s commitment to maintaining emotionally and physically safe Club environments.

TEACH Guidance and Discipline Philosophy

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem utilizes the TEACH approach to guidance and discipline, which aligns with BGCA’s national Youth Development Framework.

Our approach is based on the following beliefs:

• Discipline is focused on teaching, learning, and problem solving rather than punishment
• Every member deserves the effort required to keep them engaged in the Club whenever safely possible
• All youth can learn appropriate behavior with consistent role modeling from staff, families, and peers
• The goal of discipline is self-discipline and personal responsibility
• All members and staff are listened to and treated with fairness, dignity, and respect
• Everyone shares responsibility for maintaining a positive and inclusive Club culture

At the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem, we recognize that effective discipline supports social emotional learning and helps members develop lifelong skills such as decision making, accountability, and empathy.

Parental and Guardian Behavior Expectations

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem values respectful partnerships with parents and guardians. In accordance with BGCA standards, adults are expected to model appropriate behavior at all times while on Club property or during Club sponsored activities.

Parental inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to:

• Disrespect, humiliation, or ridicule directed toward staff, parents, volunteers, or youth
• Speaking negatively about staff or Club leadership in a way that undermines the program
• Addressing concerns directly with children rather than staff
• Inappropriate physical contact, pushing, or shoving of staff or children
• Asking children or staff inappropriate or personal questions

Concerns involving another child, staff member, or parent should be directed to the Chief Operating Officer of Chief Executive Officer. All situations are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Child Safety and Mandatory Reporting

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem is committed to the safety, protection, and wellbeing of every child entrusted to our care. In alignment with Boys & Girls Clubs of America national Child Safety policies and all applicable state laws, the Club maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, neglect, or exploitation in any form.

All staff members and volunteers are required to:

• Complete BGCA approved child safety and mandatory reporting training
• Adhere to all Club policies related to supervision, interactions, and professional boundaries
• Act in the best interest of the child at all times

Any suspicion or disclosure of abuse, neglect, or inappropriate conduct involving a child, whether occurring within or outside the Club, must be reported immediately in accordance with state mandated reporter laws and BGCA requirements.

Reports may include, but are not limited to:

• Physical abuse or excessive physical punishment
• Sexual abuse, exploitation, or inappropriate sexual behavior
• Emotional abuse or verbal harm
• Neglect or unsafe living conditions

Staff and volunteers are required to report concerns to Club leadership and the appropriate child protection or law enforcement authorities. Failure to report suspected abuse may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination, and may carry legal consequences under state law.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem cooperates fully with all investigations conducted by child protective services or law enforcement agencies and takes all necessary steps to ensure the immediate safety of affected members.

Confidentiality will be maintained to the greatest extent possible, with information shared only with those who have a legal or professional need to know. Retaliation against any individual who makes a good faith report is strictly prohibited.

Through these measures, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem reaffirms its commitment to providing a safe, trusted, and supportive environment where all children can learn, grow, and thrive.

Communication and Confidentiality

Confidentiality will be maintained at all times regarding Club members and their families, consistent with BGCA standards and state regulations. Staff and Administration are available to schedule mutually convenient meetings to address concerns, behavioral issues, or conflicts in a respectful and solution focused manner.