NCSY and the Orthodox Union strive to create an environment in which NCSYers, NCSY volunteers (lay leaders and advisors), and NCSY professionals can grow and learn in a safe, appropriate, and Halakhic environment. Everyone actively involved with NCSY is expected to contribute positively to this atmosphere and this manual has been developed as a tool to help foster its implementation at the International, Regional, and local level.
To achieve these goals, all NCSY professionals, volunteers, and NCSYers are expected to adhere to regulations set forth in this manual. This policy applies to all NCSY operations and programs, as well as to contacts between staff members, volunteers, and NCSYers, that take place outside the context of NCSY.
In addition to posting the most current version of this manual on the NCSY website atwww.NCSY.org/standards, previous versions have been sent to synagogue rabbis, presidents, and lay boards involved with local NCSY activity. It is essential that everyone involved with NCSY indicate that they understand the policies set forth in this manual and how to respond if they feel the policies are not being implemented as required.
OVERVIEW
NCSY’s commitment to the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of all NCSY professionals, volunteers, and NCSYers is non-negotiable. In both word and deed, all persons involved with NCSY will comport themselves according to halakhic standards of modesty regarding matters of a personal or sexual nature. Moreover, involvement with NCSY demands a commitment to refraining from any action or word that is injurious or demeaning toward a person of the same or opposite gender.
While it is reasonable to accept that minor incidents will occur from time to time when well-intentioned NCSY professionals, volunteers, or NCSYers, do or say the wrong thing, a prompt apology followed by a promise to be more careful in the future is usually sufficient to satisfy all involved. In general, the corrections needed to rectify such mistakes are of the scale equivalent to those of other normal and healthy relationships. When simple apologies are insufficient, other forms of recourse are available. These include contacting the Regional Director in whose Region the particular situation occurred, contacting a member of the NCSY International Office, and/or reporting a concern to the NCSY Ombudsman Telephone Hotline at 212-613-8361. In these instances, none of the above-mentioned reporting normally constitutes impermissible lashon hara or any violation of any other Jewish laws pertaining to proper speech.
HALAKHA
Halakha (Jewish Law) must be observed by everyone attending NCSY events. Quintessential to this commitment, is an unwavering willingness to observe Shabbat at all times during an NCSY Shabbaton, whether during group programs or during “free time.” With regards to standards of Halakha observance, it bears noting that as an educational outreach institution, NCSY is mindful that teens that are first becoming familiar with halakhic practice will unknowingly and expectedly make mistakes. Even as NCSY affords these first-time learners the room to make mistakes as they grow in their individual observance, with regard to NCSY staff and advisors, living in accordance with halakha is a prerequisite to their employment and volunteer involvement.
Similarly, all halakhot of physical contact (“negiah”) must be observed at all times. NOTE: Physical contact between members of the opposite gender is prohibited except to protect or safeguard someone in immediate physical danger, or to protect or safeguard synagogue or private property from immediate danger.
NCSY also upholds the halakhic standard of “yichud” at all times. As such, NCSY expects professionals, volunteers, and NCSYers to avoid all activities and situations that leave two members of the opposite gender alone, even when the technical violation of Hilkhot Yichud is not involved.
While respect for one another can be communicated by gesture and tone of voice, language is the most powerful tool for conveying it. Consequently, “nekiyut halashon,” cleanliness of language, serves as the standard that should guide all NCSY professionals, volunteers, and NCSYers. Words should be chosen with regard to their impact upon the listener, and should confirm his or her sense of self-worth.
On a very practical level, whenever a question about a Halakhic matter arises at a synagogue-sponsored event, the rabbi of the synagogue should be consulted. Questions regarding a Regionally-sponsored event or events that are not synagogue-sponsored are to be directed to the Regional Director or to the NCSY professional running the event.
RESPECT FOR PARENTS
NCSY professionals and volunteers must work to maintain and ultimately enhance NCSYers’ relationships with and respect for their parents, and work to help children learn how to develop a wide range of good relationships with peers, school personnel, and members of their community. When a conflict arises between NCSY and parents, a mediating authority agreeable to both should be consulted. NCSY should encourage respect for diversity and multiple sources of guidance in those NCSYers for whom they serve as mentors.
NCSY professionals need to be especially sensitive to parents and families of NCSYers who are becoming more observant. When practical and practicable, NCSY professionals should partner with local rabbinic and lay leadership to communicate directly with families both to express understanding of the conflicts they may be experiencing, and when appropriate, to describe how the greater NCSY community is committed to strengthening the personal bonds between parents and children, even as differences in ritual behavior may increase. This communication could take the form of organized programs as well as one-on-one conversations.
PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
In the interest of protecting NCSYers, parents are to disclose to the lead NCSY professional overseeing an NCSY sponsored event, any medical, physical, psychological, or emotional condition for which a teen is being treated. This includes alerting the NCSY staff concerning medications, allergies, and special dietary needs. In addition to sharing one’s personal emergency phone numbers well in advance of an event, parents are also responsible to confirm with the lead NCSY staff overseeing an event that a best faith effort has been made to accommodate an NCSYer’s special needs.
Should a situation arise over the course of an event when the lead NCSY professional is concerned regarding a teen’s physical, psychological, or emotional well-being, standard procedure is to immediately send the teen home at the parent’s expense and without a refund. Other occasions when a teen would be sent home at the parent’s expense and without a refund occur when the teen has violated NCSY policy.
PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS
Past actions being the best indicator of future behavior, the NCSY International Office empowers the local and Regional Administrations to limit the participation of individual teens from NCSY activity if there is sufficient reason to believe a particular teen lacks the ability or willingness to follow directions and instructions required for NCSY event participation. Included in these considerations would be a history of sexual misconduct, criminal behavior, violence, behavior that threatens the safety of program participants, and/or behavior that undermines the wholesome environment NCSY is endeavoring to create.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY
NCSY will continue to make every reasonable attempt to accommodate those participants who can only attend selected parts of an event or program due to disabilities.
TRANSPORTATION
Parents are responsible for providing transportation for NCSYers to and from local and Regional events. On those occasions when NCSY provides group transportation for NCSYers, parents will be required to sign a transportation waiver, where practical, that indemnifies NCSY, the Orthodox Union, and NCSY professionals and volunteers. NCSY recommends that local chapters arrange for NCSY professionals to have cell-phones and for an emergency phone number to be available to the community on all trips.
The NCSY International Office empowers local and Regional Administrations to determine if NCSYers should be restricted from driving to local and Regionally-sponsored NCSY events. In the absence of such restrictions, it is the responsibility of parents, and not the responsibility of NCSY, to determine if their NCSYers may drive to an event, and for obtaining the consent of other parents of NCSYers who are passengers in a car driven by an NCSYer.
HOUSING
Male and female guests may not be hosted together in the same house.
Shomer Shabbat homes are preferred as housing hosts. For many locations, however, non-Shomer Shabbat homes must be used. In these situations, NCSY will work closely with the host community leadership to ascertain proper housing locations, and will honor any objections to a particular site expressed by the local rabbi.
ADULT OBSERVATION
Parents and local adult representatives are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all local, Regional, and Internationally-sponsored NCSY events.
STAFF AND ADVISOR TRAINING
In partnership with local and Regional Administration, the NCSY International Office is responsible to ensure that all professional and volunteer staff have been trained and commit to follow all the provisions of this manual.
REPORTING ABUSE TO THE GOVERNMENT
Each state has its own laws regarding the responsibility of reporting suspected abuse. A comprehensive breakdown of the various mandatory reporting laws for each state can be obtained at http://www.childhelpusa.org. Given the complexity of these laws, NCSY professionals and volunteer advisors are required to consult with an NCSY Regional Director or representative of the International Office before initiating a mandated report. For information concerning child abuse programs and laws in the United States, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends http://www.childhelpusa.org. Childhelp can also be reached at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Childhelp’s hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline can tell you where to file a report and can help make the report. For resource material concerning child abuse in Canada, check out, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/html/nfntsnegl_e.html or call (613) 957-2938.
ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
While the overwhelming majority of interactions between NCSY professionals, volunteers, and NCSYers fall well within the range of normal healthy relationships, certain behavior should be regarded as incompatible with NCSY’s goals and standards and therefore always prohibited.
The following behavior is incompatible with NCSY’s goals and is therefore unacceptable:
• sexual contact and non-sexual physical contact that is aggressive and/or excessive
(e.g., slapping, punching, pinching, kicking),
• malicious mocking, ridiculing, berating, or any other hurtful speech,
• unwanted sexual attention in the form of remarks, jokes or innuendo about a person’s body or clothing, or sexual activity,
• denigration, public or private, of parents or their central role in the lives of their children,
• denigration, public or private, of religious institutions or their leaders, including local synagogues and their rabbis, as well as yeshivot and their administration and faculty,
• psychological or emotional manipulation or control of NCSYers. Among the identifying hallmarks of this are attempts to restrict, rather than to widen, the range of resource persons with whom NCSYers develop relationships, and attempts to eliminate parents as critical influences in an NCSYer’s life. The psychological and emotional health of each NCSYer must always be safeguarded with as much zeal as their physical well-being.
ABUSE OR HARASSMENT
Abuse, abandonment, cruelty, and neglect include, but is not limited to, unwelcome physical and emotional harassment, and physical injury.
The United States Office of Civil Rights, under Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, defines sexual harassment as unwelcome activity in two categories, which are described further below: “Quid Pro Quo Harassment” and “Hostile Environment Harassment.”
SEXUAL ABUSE includes, but is not limited to:
• any demeaning or exploitative behavior of a sexual nature, including threats of such behavior,
• displaying demeaning, suggestive, or pornographic material,
• unwelcome physical contact, such as inappropriate touching, patting, pinching, punching, and physical assault,
• indirect or explicit invitations to engage in unwelcome sexual activities which may or may not include a promise of reward for complying or a threat of reprisal for not complying.
Sexual abuse or harassment shows no preference for age, race, appearance, or occupation. It usually happens to females, but males may be victims, too. The abuser/harasser and victim may be of opposite or the same gender. It may involve the abuse of …
• an NCSYer by another NCSYer, NCSY professional or volunteer,
• an NCSY volunteer by another volunteer, NCSY professionals or NCSYer,
• an NCSY professional by another professional, volunteer or NCSYer,
Harassment is defined as unwelcome physical, verbal, visual, or behavioral mannerisms or conduct that denigrates, shows hostility or aversion towards an individual because of his or her gender or other legally protected characteristics, where …
• submission to or rejection of such conduct is made (explicitly or implied) a term or condition of employment, maintaining their volunteer position (chapter board, regional board, etc.), participation in NCSY activities or the granting of preferential treatment (awards, recommendations, scholarships, etc.) This is known as “Quid Pro Quo Harassment”;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making personnel or leadership decisions affecting an individual. This is also known as “Quid Pro Quo Harassment”;
• such verbal or physical conduct has the effect of interfering with an individual’s work, participation in NCSY activities, or living conditions, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. This is commonly known as “Hostile Environment Harassment”.
WELCOMENESS
Regardless of intent, it is never acceptable to interact with an NCSY professional, volunteer, or NCSYer in a manner that is undesirable, offensive, or of a sexual nature. NCSY staff and volunteers must be particularly mindful that adolescent NCSYers may lack the verbal or psychological tools to identify or defend against inappropriate advances. Additionally, NCSY is concerned about all forms of harassment by persons in positions of authority, since in these cases victims often feel less able to defend against conduct that is inappropriate, unwelcome, and illegal. No matter the age of the target of the harassment, whether adult or an adolescent, it’s important to note that acquiescence or the failure to complain does not always mean that the conduct was welcomed by the recipient or acceptable to NCSY.
GENDER BASED HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment may occur between members of the same or opposite gender, and harassment based on a person’s gender is not limited to instances involving sexual behavior. That is, harassment on the basis of gender may occur without sexual advances or sexual overtones when conduct is directed at individuals or groups because of their gender. This is often referred to as sex or gender harassment and violates the law and NCSY policy.
INDIRECT HARASSMENT
A person does not have to be the direct and immediate target of sexual harassment to complain about it. Harassing behavior toward others may be so offensive, demeaning or disruptive as to constitute a hostile environment, though not specifically directed at the observer or individual lodging the complaint.
POWER-IMBALANCED ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS
The difference in power and the respect and trust that is often present between an NCSY professional and an NCSY volunteer, an NCSY professional and an NCSYer, an NCSY volunteer and an NCSYer, a supervisor and a subordinate, or senior and junior colleague in the same department or unit makes these sexual relationships especially vulnerable to exploitation. Those who abuse their power in such circumstances by, for example, granting preferential treatment to a member who has submitted to sexual favors may be found to have violated the intent of this NCSY policy. “Voluntary” participation in a romantic relationship does not alone demonstrate that a romantic partner’s conduct was welcome. Moreover, even if the romantic relationship was welcomed by the romantic partner, it is nevertheless unacceptable according to NCSY policy.
DATING
Attempts by NCSY professionals or volunteers to establish a dating relationship with an NCSYer are strictly prohibited, with no exceptions, as they are contrary to a healthy mentor-NCSYer or supervisory relationship. A dating relationship is not only incompatible with mentoring and supervising, but can also give the impression of coercion. In addition, a dating relationship between an NCSY professional and an NCSYer falls into the category of a “power-imbalanced romantic” relationship.
Violations of this prohibition are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Indeed, the potential for the abuse in this “power-imbalanced relationship” is so profound that it has been decided that even NCSY alumni may not be dated by NCSY professionals or volunteers until at least one year has passed since their graduation from high school or its equivalent.
It is understood that dating between NCSY professionals and volunteers might also potentially fall under the category of “power-imbalanced” relationships. However, understanding the importance of such interactions, rather than prohibiting outright all such relationships, it is the responsibility of the Regional Director and/or International Director to the best of his or her ability to monitor all such relationships to assure that they not fail this critical test.
PERMITTED PHYSICAL CONTACT
Any combination of two NCSY staff members, volunteers, or NCSYers of the same gender, are welcome to engage in normal physical contact such as hugging or touching as an act of encouragement or consolation. This is permitted as long as the contact is both welcome and appropriate and not of a sexual nature.
Similarly, normal aggressive contact, such as that which would take place in a basketball or football game, or arm-wrestling is permitted as long as the activity is appropriate, welcome, and is not of a sexual nature.
As stated above in the section addressing Halakha, physical contact between any combination of two NCSY staff members, volunteers, or NCSYers of the opposite gender is strictly prohibited except to protect or safeguard someone in immediate physical danger, or to protect or safeguard synagogue or private property from immediate danger.
DISCIPLINE
All NCSY professionals and volunteers present at an event are expected to help the program organizers run their programs. This includes, but is not limited to: door duty assignments, helping the leaders quiet the room, ushering NCSYers to the next part of a program in a firm yet respectful manner, and following any other directions or specific requests made by those running the program. Should an NCSYer remain uncooperative, the NCSY professional or volunteer involved should inform the Regional Director or person running the event for disciplinary procedures.
PHYSICAL FORCE
Physical force used to discipline a recalcitrant NCSYer is not permitted as a means of routine discipline. Physical force may be used in emergency situations, such as to safeguard an NCSYer in immediate physical danger, to protect or safeguard synagogue or any property from immediate danger, or similar urgent situations.
MANIPULATION AND CONTROL
NCSY is committed to fostering healthy teen development, development of Torah middot, respect for all parents, respect for Torah institutions, and respect for all people. While teenagers often begin to rely more on peers as they attempt to establish their independence, NCSY should encourage the long-term primary role of family in the NCSYer’s life.
NCSY regards the following as important to healthy adolescent development:
• Recognizing that the chief goal in parent-child relations is the transformation of the relationship from one in which parents decide for children to one in which children learn to make sound and informed decisions with their parents as their most valued advisors,
• Helping the NCSYer to develop self-confidence rooted in self-competence as he or she expands the range of skills that he or she can successfully employ, and the range of people and resources upon which he or she can draw.
In keeping with these goals, all NCSY professionals and volunteers should always speak respectfully when addressing or speaking about NCSYers, their parents, their schools, rabbis, synagogues, etc. In addition, they should be sensitive to issues that may arise and foster respect for a persons right to a varying point of view. NCSY professionals and volunteers should listen and help NCSYers clarify their thoughts, concerns and feelings and attempt to inspire greater Torah observance. However, they should avoid coercing NCSYers by …
• applying negative pressure and fear to achieve a desired result. For example making an NCSYer feel that he or she will not be accepted if an undesired conclusion is reached,
• exerting emotional encouragement so strongly that the individual perceives emotional pressure,
• making the NCSYers relationship with the NCSY professional conditional upon their decision.
Adolescent life is often a time of turmoil, distress and conflict. Extreme reactions to people, places and things are quite common during this stage of development. NCSY professionals and volunteers must be especially careful not to allow an adolescent’s normal occasional tendency toward “hero worship” to be transformed into an unhealthy relationship with an NCSY professional or volunteer. NCSY professionals and volunteers must be sensitive to such situations as they develop, and will endeavor to see that NCSYers are referred to the appropriate resources for assistance in dealing with them.
If it is brought to the attention of an NCSY professional or volunteer that his or her attempt to recommend a particular school or program is causing conflict with the parents of the NCSYer then the professional or volunteer should inform the Regional Director and/or International Director and leave it to him or her to speak with the NCSYer’s parents.
NCSY PARTICIPANT BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS
As stated above, NCSYers have a responsibility to conduct themselves properly at all NCSY events and in all NCSY interactions.
The most important elements in proper NCSYer behavior are to treat NCSY professionals, volunteers, and fellow NCSYers with the personal respect that lies at the heart of healthy personal relationships, and to follow the directions and instructions of NCSY professionals and volunteers.
If an NCSYer violates the rules, or in any emergency situation which occurs at such an event, the Regional Director or staff member in charge of the event shall take whatever action he or she deems necessary within the parameters of this policy, and as soon as possible afterwards shall report the entire matter to the Regional Director. In addition to notifying the Chair of the local Youth Commission (or other designated adult communal leader), the Regional Director will promptly relay the incident to the International Director and the Ombudsman Telephone Hotline. Depending on the severity of the misconduct, the parents will be contacted by either the Chair of the local Youth Commission, the Regional Director, the Chair of the National Youth Commission, the Chair of OU’s NCSY National Standards Committee, or the International Director.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR
Beyond making mutual respect the cornerstone of personal relationships, and beyond following directions and instructions, there are specific behavioral standards that apply specifically to NCSYers.
• NCSYer abuse of NCSY professionals and volunteers will not be tolerated.
• Any behavior that threatens the safety of NCSYers will not be tolerated.
• Violence, depending on the seriousness of the act, may also result in referral to law enforcement authorities.
• Foul, obscene or profane language of any sort (verbal, written or electronic) is unacceptable.
• Smoking at an NCSY event may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the event at the earliest practical time.
• Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages at an NCSY event is grounds for immediate dismissal from the event at the earliest practical time, and may be subject to further disciplinary action at the discretion of the Regional Director in consultation with the National Youth Commission.
• Possession and/or use of illegal drugs and controlled substances at an NCSY event is grounds for immediate dismissal from the event at the earliest practical time, and may be subject to further disciplinary action at the discretion of the Regional Director in consultation with the National Youth Commission.
• Bringing illegal weapons (such as guns, switchblades, sharpened box cutters, and sharpened screwdrivers) to an event will result in confiscation of the weapons, expulsion from the event at the earliest practical time, and may also be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Other items that are intrinsically dangerous will be confiscated for the event, and those who brought them may be subject to further disciplinary action. (Swiss Army knives, or small pocket knives, which are as much tools as knives, are generally permitted. In specific situations, however, the NCSY professional in charge of the event may confiscate them at his or her discretion for the period of the event.)
NCSY professionals shall be sensitive as to which breaches of standards indicate the need to refer the problem to professional outside resources for further resolution.
REPORTING A GRIEVANCE
The Orthodox Union Board of Trustees through its subcommittee National Youth Commission created the Ombudsman Telephone Hotline (OTH) to receive reports or complaints of harassment or abuse or any violation of the standards described in this document. Any NCSY professional, volunteer, or NCSYer, who believes he or she has been the victim of harassment or any third person (including but not limited to a parent or guardian of a minor) with knowledge or belief of conduct that may constitute harassment should report the alleged acts to the OTH as detailed below.
Any NCSY professional or volunteer who receives notice that an NCSYer has been the victim of harassment or abuse is required to immediately report the alleged acts to OTH as detailed below. NCSY will respect the confidentiality of the complainant and the individual(s) against whom the complaint is filed as much as possible, consistent with NCSY’s legal obligations and the necessity to investigate allegations of harassment and take disciplinary and other appropriate action.
NCSY ACTION
Listed below is step by step explanation of how to initiate an official grievance. Though it is the intent of this policy to take decisive action against those who break NCSY policy, it is important to note that NCSY requires the complete cooperation of the complainant in order to initiate and pursue a course of action. Additionally, NCSY is unable to take action in response to complaints that are reported anonymously. Depending on the nature of the grievance and the outcome of an investigation, disciplinary action may result in the issuance of a warning, a suspension, or immediate discharge to end the harassment and prevent its recurrence.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Note: Victims of abuse are encouraged to seek redress to whatever extent they desire through the relevant local, state and federal laws.
REPORTING ABUSE TO THE STATE
Each state has its own laws regarding the responsibility of reporting suspected abuse. A comprehensive breakdown of the various mandatory reporting laws for each state can be obtained at http://www.childhelpusa.org. Given the complexity of these laws, NCSY professionals and volunteer advisors are required to consult with an NCSY Regional Director or representative of the International Office before initiating a mandated report. For information concerning child abuse programs and laws in the United States, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends http://www.os.dhhs.gov/children/index.shtml#family and http://www.childhelpusa.org. Childhelp can also be reached at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). Childhelp’s hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline can tell you where to file a report and can help make the report. For resource material concerning child abuse in Canada, check out, http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/familyviolence/html/nfntsnegl_e.html or call (613) 957-2938.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE BEING ABUSED
Believe and trust yourself and your feelings.
• Protect yourself by keeping a detailed written account of every incident.
• Talk to someone you trust to hear and support you. You may feel comfortable going to your parents, your rabbi, or an NCSY professional or advisor.
• Know that a policy and process is in place within NCSY for dealing with complaints and instances of abuse, harassment, and general misconduct.
• Remember that it is not your fault. The abuser is responsible for his/her own behavior.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FILE A COMPLAINT?
• Your complaint will be taken seriously and will be treated with appropriate confidentiality.
• You will be treated with compassion and respect.
• You will be provided with information about NCSY’s policy and procedures for registering a formal complaint.
HOW DO I INITIATE A COMPLAINT OF ABUSE OR HARASSMENT?
Call the NCSY Ombudsman Telephone Hotline (OTH) at 212-613-8361. The OTH is staffed by the Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee. In the event an OTH representative is not available to answer the phone, the OTH voicemail will instruct you to leave your name and contact information so your call can be returned within 24 hours.
HOW WILL MY COMPLAINT BE HANDLED?
The Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee has been appointed to (1) receive complaints and accusations of abuse, harassment, or other violations of NCSY Conduct, Policy, and Standards of Behavior; (2) investigate the validity of the charges; and (3) report any and all relevant findings to the Chair of the National Youth Commission and the NCSY International Director.
For complaints that address concerns of abuse or harassment the Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee will work with the NCSY International Director to guide a full-scale investigation.
For complaints that address concerns related to other forms of misconduct irrespective of whether or not they can be found in the Conduct, Policy, and Behavioral Standards manual, the Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee will oversee the investigation or else s/he will forward a summary of the Complaint to the OU Director of Human Resources.
COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
If an NCSYer, parent, advisor, or NCSY professional observes conduct (by any of the preceding) that appears to violate the NCSY Conduct, Policy and Behavioral Standards, s/he should immediately:
1. Tell the alleged offender that the conduct is unacceptable.
2. Report the incident immediately to an appropriately located NCSY Regional Director (see www.ncsy.org/ncsy/contact for a complete list) or a representative of the NCSY International Office (www.ncsy.org/ncsy/staff).
3. Report the incident immediately to the NCSY Ombudsman Telephone Hotline (OTH) at 212-613-8361. The OTH representative will listen to your complaint and guide you through the process of submitting a formal complaint which may be used to initiate a formal inquiry.
YOU NEED TO KNOW
In order to conduct investigations that are just, accurate, and in fairness to all parties, no action will be taken on complaints that are placed anonymously. Moreover, the complainant must be fully cooperative with NCSY throughout the investigation.
Confidentiality will be consistent with legal obligations and the necessity to investigate allegations and punish substantiated misconduct.
NCSY will not retaliate in any form, against any employee, staff member (paid or unpaid), NCSYer, or parent for reporting, assisting, or cooperating with a person making a credible complaint. NCSY and the Orthodox Union reserve the right to take legal actions against individuals who are discovered as having made false or misleading accusations.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SUBMIT MY COMPLAINT?
Upon receipt and review of the complaint alleging abuse, harassment, or other violations of NCSY Conduct, Policy, and Standards of Behavior the Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee will:
A) Inform the individual who submitted the complaint that sufficient information was present to initiate a full-scale inquiry.
B) Inform the individual who submitted the complaint that there was insufficient information present in the complaint to warrant a formal inquiry. If there is disagreement with this assessment, an opportunity will be given to challenge this decision by submitting a letter of appeal to OTH at ncsyoh@ou.org with additional information.
NEXT STEPS
In addition to multiple conversations with the individual who submitted the complaint, full-scale inquiries include a comprehensive gathering of information from multiple sources. In addition to individuals named in the complaint, this research may include information gathered from conversations with rabbis, parents, community leaders, NCSY professionals, NCSY advisors, and NCSYers. When appropriate, the individual/s conducting the inquiry may also consult with mental health professionals as well as appropriate law enforcement agencies for further action.
After the Chairman of the NCSY National Standards Committee or his designee has gathered sufficient information and is confident in his/her conclusions regarding the alleged misdeed, the relevant findings will be shared with the Chair of the NCSY National Youth Commission and the NCSY International Director. Based on this information, these senior NCSY professionals and lay leaders will choose a course of action commensurate with the findings. They will further determine who is the best person to share this information with the aggrieved individual and the alleged offender. If either party is unsatisfied with NCSY’s decision, or if no action is taken within three (3) weeks of filing the complaint, all parties are welcome to appeal to the Chairs of the NCSY National Standards Committee and NCSY Youth Commission by email to ncsyoh@ou.org.
INTERIM SUSPENSION
The Chair of the NCSY National Standards Committee has the authority to suspend the alleged offender from attending NCSY events during the interim period from the time the complaint is filed until deliberations are completed. If the Chair of the NCSY National Standards Committee chooses not to order a suspension, the aggrieved individual may appeal this decision to the Chair of the NCSY National Youth Commission with an email to ncsyoh@ou.org. The decision to suspend will be made in light of the severity of the complaint and potential harm to the aggrieved, the alleged offender, and others.
NCSY NATIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The NCSY National Standards Committee (NSC) is comprised of lay leader/s appointed by the Chair of the NCSY National Youth Commission. The purpose of the NSC is to ensure substantive lay involvement in the monitoring and compliance of the NCSY Conduct, Policy, and Behavioral Standards manual.
OTHER COMPLAINTS
The above procedures for handling complaints are intended to address serious issues to ensure that they are handled appropriately. If you (NCSYer, parent, staff or advisor) have a complaint you consider less serious in nature, you may choose to bypass these procedures. You may, either on your own or together with or through your parents, rabbi, advisor or Youth Commission Chair, simply contact your Regional office (see www.ncsy.org/ncsy/contact for a complete list of phone numbers) or the NCSY National Office at 212-613-8381. Minor complaints or concerns can even by conveyed by someone else while keeping your identity secret. In such cases, you will not benefit from any committee deliberations or outside oversight. However, should your initial attempts at direct resolution prove unsuccessful or unsatisfactory, you may then choose to file a formal complaint and benefit from committee review and oversight as contained in the procedures outlined above.
NCSY is the youth movement of the Orthodox Union.
NCSY Employee and Advisor Acknowledgement Form
The NCSY Conduct, Policy, and Behavioral Standards Handbook was prepared to provide guidance to NCSYers, NCSY volunteer advisors, and NCSY professional employees. Though the guide may not anticipate every possible situation, it is a comprehensive resource guide that lays out the fundamental policies and philosophical underpinnings governing interactions that take place within the context of NCSY.
I understand that I should consult an NCSY Regional Director or representative of the NCSY National Office regarding any questions not answered in this Handbook. Though this guide is intended for everyone who comes into contact with NCSY, with regard to NCSY professional employees and volunteer advisors, it is worth being reminded that professional employment and volunteer involvement with NCSY and the Orthodox Union is voluntary and generally without a specified length of employment. Accordingly, so long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state laws, either NCSY or I can terminate the relationship at will, at any time, with or without cause.
Since the information and policies described in the NCSY Conduct, Policy, and Behavioral Standards Handbook are to be amended from time to time, I acknowledge that, except for NCSY’s policy of employment-at-will, the policies, and the Handbook itself, can be modified by NCSY at any time without notice and without the distribution of a revised version. All such changes will be reflected in the most current version which will always be available on the National NCSY website at www.NCSY.org/standards. As changes or emendations may supersede, modify, or eliminate existing policies, I acknowledge that is my sole responsibility to stay current concerning the policies which govern NCSY. Only the NCSY International Director in consultation with the Chair of the NCSY National Standards Committee has the ability to adopt any revisions to the policies in this Handbook.
Furthermore, I acknowledge that this Handbook is neither a contract of employment nor a legal document and is intended only to outline policies and programs of NCSY. As a condition of my employment or volunteer involvement with NCSY, I have thoroughly reviewed a copy of the Handbook, and I understand that my professional employment or volunteer involvement is dependent on my compliance with the policies contained in this Handbook and any revisions made to it.
