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Rotary International Statement of Conduct for Working With Youth
Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotary members, their partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people with whom they come into contact and protect them from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Youth Program Rotarian and Volunteer Participation Requirements
All Rotarian and non-Rotarian volunteers interested in working with, participating in service projects with, or in any other way coming into contact in their capacity as a Rotarian with youth, must meet Rotary International and district eligibility requirements.
Those who have admitted to, have been convicted of, or are known to have engaged in sexual abuse or sexual harassment of a youth or program participant are ineligible for Rotary membership — even if these crimes were committed long ago. Any volunteer who admits to, is convicted of, or is otherwise known to have engaged in sexual abuse or sexual harassment or other act that violates the accepted standard of behavior in the community is prohibited from working with youths through Rotary. You must not be included in any sex offender registry.
Youth Program Training & Screening
Training and screening are required for Rotarians and volunteers involved in youth programs. Appropriate levels of training and screening depend on:
- The Rotarian or volunteer’s position and whether they have direct authority over the youth program and the well- being of participants
- The amount or frequency of contact with youth, from incidental or infrequent to regular or significant
- The type of contact, such as group interactions, overnight supervision, or unsupervised individual contact
Youth Counselor ADVANCED Certification
Advanced Certification is required if you will have A) direct, unsupervised contact with youth; B) have direct authority over a youth program; or C) perform overnight supervision of youth.
Advanced Certification is required if you are involved in any Youth Exchange program as a leader, youth host or club counselor. All clubs hosting a Youth Exchange student must have a member with Advanced Certification, and it is recommended that the club president is also certified. On-site RYLA leaders require Youth Counselor Advanced Certification.
Best practice is to avoid one-to-one contact with youth, but there are times that it is unavoidable in Youth Exchange. Advanced Certification is required for any one-on-one contact. Direct, one-to-one unsupervised contact includes in-person as well as electronic contact, such as phone calls, video calls, email, text and social media.
One-to-One contact with youth should never occur outside of absolutely necessary Youth Exchange situations. This includes electronic communication, driving or other activities.
Members applying for Youth Counselor Advanced Certification must:
Complete the Youth Counselor Advanced Application D7475 and submit it to the District Youth Protection Team.
- The Application will require a list of personal references with contact information (references must not include family members and no more than one Rotarian).
After you have submitted the form and it is reviewed, you will receive instructions on how to:
- Complete online training and testing provided by Rotary International (and ESSEX if involved in a Youth Exchange program). This takes about 60 minutes.
- Undergo a criminal background check.
- Be interviewed by a member of the Youth Exchange Committee, RYLA Committee, Youth Protection Committee, District Governor or District Governor-elect.
Youth Group Leader BASIC Certification
Basic Certification is required if you will have supervision or leadership contact with youth in a group environment. No unsupervised or one-to-one contact is allowed. Multiple adults in supervisory rolls are required at all activities. Adults with Basic Certification are required at all Rotary youth events unless there are parents or school staff actively involved. This includes Internet activities, service projects and meetings. It is required that at least one member of Club scholarship committees conducting interviews with candidates in a group environment have Basic Certification.
One-to-One contact with youth should never occur. This includes electronic communication, driving or other activities.
Members applying for Youth Counselor Advanced Certification must:
Complete the Youth Group Leader Basic Application D7475 and submit it to the District Youth Protection Team.
Complete the Protecting Youth Program Participants course in the Rotary International Learning Center and provide the completion certificate to the District Youth Protection Team. This course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
- To access the course, go to www.myrotary.org. Click Sign In (or Register if you do not have an account). Enter your User Name and Password. Click on Knowledge & Resources, then Learning Center in the dropdown menu. Click on View General Courses. Select Protecting Youth Program Participants 2024 - 25. Follow the instructions and download the Course Completion Certificate when you are done. Provide the Certificate to the District Youth Protection Team. (Instructions to create a My Rotary account can be found in the How to Create a My Rotary Account document.)
Youth Meet and Greet Rotarian Guidelines:
For Rotarians and volunteers who have incidental or infrequent contact with youth only in a group environment also attended by parents or certified leaders, must at a minimum:
- Read and follow the information provided in the Youth Protection Guidelines in a Group Environment document.
Resources
From the adjacent Files folder you can access and download:
Youth Protection Documents
Rotary Youth Protection Guide: Provides an overview and details of Rotary International's Youth Protection policies.
Youth Protection Policy Statement D7475: This document provides a basic framework for a district policy for all youth programs. Participants in Rotary Youth Exchange will also be required to comply with additional requirements established by Rotary International and the Eastern States Student Exchange (ESSEX).
Youth Protection FAQs D7475: Frequently Asked Questions regarding Youth Protection requirements.
Youth Protection Guidelines in a Group Environment D7475: This document must be read to comply with the Level 3 requirement above
Youth Protection Reporting Guidelines D7475: This document contains the guidelines and the reporting and management procedures that must be followed following any observation or report of abuse or harassment in any program or event involving youth. Rotary International and District 7475 are committed to protecting the safety and security of all youth program participants and will not tolerate abuse or harassment. All allegations will be taken seriously and must be handled within the guidelines contained in this document.
Rotary Electronic and Online Safety Considerations: Rotary International guidelines regarding virtual contact with youth.
Rotary Youth Protection Incident Report: This form is used to report a Youth Protection incident to Rotary International.
Volunteer Application Forms
Youth Counselor Advanced Application D7475: This document must be completed and submitted by any Rotarian or Rotaract member who will have A) direct, unsupervised contact with youth; B) have direct authority over a youth program; or C) perform overnight supervision of youth. Advanced Certification is required if you are involved in any Youth Exchange program as a leader, youth host or club counselor.
Youth Group Leader Basic Application D7475: Basic Certification is required if you will have supervision or leadership contact with youth in a group environment.
Other Files
How to Create a My Rotary Account: This document provides the instructions to complete a My Rotary account so you can access the Rotary Learning Center.
Links
Youth Protection statement by Rotary International Past President Gordon McInally: Presentation Link