Introduction:
The Mountain Desert District YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) is a district wide community of high school youth and adult allies. This YRUU event will increase a sense of belonging in the UU community and encourage spiritual growth and leadership. YRUU events are a chance to feel what it’s like to live out your principles in a supportive, creative and welcoming environment. It’s a chance to spread your wings and stretch a little. You will find the more you are your authentic self, the more folks around you will dig it. YRUU events are a chance to meet folks from all over the district and get an appreciation for how diverse we are. At the same time, you’re bound to connect to someone who has similar interests and passions. Following are the guidelines and clear expectations for all YRUU events.
1. Participants should take care of themselves; this includes getting adequate rest and food.
- A YRUU event can be an intense experience. Every participant should make sure they’re eating well (snacks will always be available between meals). If you have any special dietary needs, the food coordinator will accommodate that if it is on your registration. You are welcome to bring any special food to fit your needs. Sleeping on the church floor might be a challenge for some. Bring a blow up mattress or pad if you like. Getting a good night’s rest will increase your enjoyment of Saturday.
2. We are a caring community. Participation is encouraged in all of the workshops and activities in order to benefit from all they have to offer. Exclusive behavior is detrimental to the community and is strongly discouraged.
- Workshops and worships are suitable and interesting to both youth and adults. Take advantage of the time you have in Gaggle groups (smaller groups that meet throughout the weekend to check in about their experience at the event) to meet new people and make new friends. This is also a time to address any joys or concerns you are having with the event experience. If you find yourself feeling left out, you are encouraged to take initiative and invite yourself into a group. We have a U-shape policy, which means any group of people can stand in a U-shape (open circle) so that others feel welcomed to join. Approaching a YAC (Youth Adult Committee) or Spirit Committee Member is a sure way to feel included. That is part of their job, to help people feel welcome in the community. These people will be pointed out to you during orientation on Friday night.
3. Participants should have consideration and respect for the physical and emotional well-being of the community, hosts and place of gathering. Inappropriate or offensive language or behavior is not conducive to building community.
- We are all responsible for maintaining the radically inclusive community we wish to see. Please use discretion when using colorful language, telling jokes/stories or playing games. If you feel uncomfortable with any activity happening at the event, do not hesitate to approach a member of the Spirit Committee, that is what they are there for.
4. Single gender rooms as well as a mixed gender room (Saturday only) will be provided for sleeping. These are quiet areas after curfew. A loud, mixed gender room Saturday is contingent upon availability of adults.
- If you are an adult (who is not driving long distances on Sunday) you will be asked to stay up for a two hour shift on Saturday night to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our youth who choose to stay up all night. This is an excellent opportunity for youth to practice making choices, to have deep conversations about life and create lasting memories. As an adult, you are modeling commitment by signing up for a shift. It is encouraged but not mandatory. If you feel uncomfortable taking a shift, it is recommended that you partner with another adult who is comfortable taking a shift.
5. Participants who intend to arrive late must inform the registrar.
- This is to ensure any information you miss at the orientation and welcoming can be provided to you.
It is the responsibility of the Youth Chair(s) to make these rules clear at orientation:
1. No drugs, alcohol or tobacco.
- Prescription drugs are ok, including nicotine patches or gum if you are a smoker. Youth are required to turn in medication to a designated responsible adult who will administer medications for the duration of the event. If you bring any substances to the event, you will be asked to turn it in to a responsible adult who will hold it until the end of the event, at which time it will be determined what to do with the substance, no consequences given. If any substance use is discovered at the event, the youth or adult will be asked to leave the event, no questions asked.
2. No weapons or implement of harm, violent behavior or language. (This includes laser pointers and utility knives and bullying)
- YRUU events are safe environments. No weapons or implements of harm are necessary or will be tolerated. If you bring an implement of harm to the event, you must turn it in to a responsible adult who will hold it for the duration of the event, at which time it will be returned to you, no questions asked, no consequences given. If any implements of harm are discovered at the event, the youth or adult will be asked to leave, no questions asked. Violent behavior or language, including bullying will not be tolerated and consequences will be determined by the Spirit Committee, Youth Chaplain and Youth Ministry Consultant.
3. No sexual or sexualized activity.
- Sexual relationships between youth and adults is absolutely forbidden (see the Code of Ethics). Sometimes romantic relationships develop between youth at events, but we request that physical aspects of relationships be kept to an absolute minimum. Coupling is exclusive, can make people feel left out and is not conducive to building community.
4. No one may leave the youth event boundaries without permission.
- We have a policy, if you leave the building, make it intergenerational. If you’re an adult, take a youth with you, if you’re a youth, take an adult with you. If you’re a local adult it’s encouraged that you stay the entirety of the weekend, even if your own bed is calling to you by Saturday night. Of course we know, adults have busy lives and we’ll try to accommodate adults who cannot stay for the whole weekend, but know that you are modeling commitment to the youth when you stay the whole weekend.
Consequences for any participant — youth or adult — who fails to comply with these rules will be determined by the Spirit Committee, and may include: being sent home at your own expense; being placed on probation from youth events for one year; being assigned a peer mentor in order to return to the community.
Posted Monday, 12 September 2011 15:38 Written by Jennica Davis
