Guidelines For Working Safely and Effectively with BCN Member Youth
As Westcoast Boys Club Network (BCN) chapter teacher-leaders, youth workers and summer camp leaders, it is our privilege to provide a rich learning environment for member youth, and a safe and rewarding environment for leaders and guest speakers. During the course of delivery of this environment, it is our duty to prevent harm towards minors in our care, and communicate best practices for adults.
The following are conduct guidelines for leaders while working with minors. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a safe environment for both adults and minors, and to raise awareness of how to manage risk.
“Minors” includes any youth under the age of 18 years old participating in BCN programs. “Leaders” includes both volunteer leaders of Westcoast Boys Club Network Foundation chapters and/or on-timetable curriculum, and contracted or volunteer leaders of summer camps and other programs. “Parent” is considered both parents and legal guardians. This policy shall be made available to all leaders upon engagement, and will be reviewed during district or regional meetings as needed.
COMMITMENT OF BEST PRACTICES For Working Safely With Minors (BCN Best Practices)
1. Adhere to the Codes of Conduct published by individual School Districts within British Columbia or other applicable territories, including all background checks neccesary for employment, as applicable.
2. Do not discipline minors by use of physical punishment or by failing to provide the necessities of care.
3. Treat all minors and colleagues equitably, i.e. fairly and consistently. Avoid showing favouritism.
4. Do not have inappropriate physical contact with minors. Physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual abuse of minors is unlawful and is prohibited by law.
5. Follow appropriate professional attire guidelines and avoid provocative or revealing attire.
6. Understand and respect the boundaries set by minors regarding culture, religion, physical touch or sharing of personal information.
7. In sensitive situations and in case of injury, involve another leader or adult.
8. Allow minors to opt out of distribution of contact information (except to designated leader as needed).
9. Networking through approved program sites/profiles may be used when contact is related to programming.
10. In case of emergency, contact minor’s emergency contact person as soon as possible.
11. Ensure that invited guest speakers are not alone with minors during chapter meetings and understand that any contact with minors outside of designated BCN group meetings — regarding scholarship interviews, work experience etc — follow the protocols set forth by individual school districts with respect to same.
12. Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs in the presence of minors.
13. During overnight outings, ensure that no minor is alone with an adult in sleeping areas, and that two or more same sex minors are assigned to each sleeping area. Also do not allow minors to enter your sleeping area or private quarters.
14. Ensure that applicable waivers and permissions are secured from parents or guardians, for outings, summer camps, and other programs.
15. Ensure that a PDF of the most current version of the ‘BCN Mentor-Speakers Overview’ is sent to guest speakers participating in BCN chapter meetings, so that everyone understands guidelines regarding privacy and security.
16. Communicate to BCN administration all situations that may be questionable or a possible breach of these guidelines. If you believe someone has perpetrated abuse or neglect, immediately and confidentially report such violation to Child Protective Services or the police.
BCN MENTORSHIP ON DEMAND (MOD) Guidelines: for using the series, hosted on the secure Cinesend (or other secure) Screening Platform
The following guidelines have been created to protect Westcoast Boys Club Network Foundation representatives, leaders, MOD mentors, and member boys from unauthorized broadcast and/or distribution of private, rights-managed material and information. It is a privilege to share the personal stories of MOD participants, and only by respecting the promises and agreements made with subjects during filming and editing of uncensored content, can we safeguard the MOD program and the future of BCN.
1. Only recognized BCN chapter and teachers leaders who have signed the BCN Best Practices and have been invited via email by MOD Executive Producers to screen MOD assets to BCN member boys, may do so.
2. External copyright-protected work (news, entertainment, published materials) is included in MODs; allowable under a ‘Copyright, Fair Dealing in the Classroom’ provision in the Canadian Copyright Act, ONLY when used in-classroom as outlined in our BCN MENTORSHIP ON DEMAND (MOD) Guidelines. Showing the MODs outside of the classroom is a violation of law and subjects screeners and BCN to legal action.
3. Minor boys and participants in the MOD series have not given permission for their video or audio to be shared outside of the Network as described by the ‘BCN MENTORSHIP ON DEMAND (MOD) Guidelines’. Showing the MODs outside of the classroom is a violation of law and subjects screeners and BCN to legal action.
4. Links and passwords sent to screeners (leaders) are user-specific and must not be shared with anyone, authorized or not. Encryption software traces activity and mis-use will deactivate screener access.
5. MOD screenings must take place in a private classroom or instructional space in which only BCN member boys and recognized BCN leaders are present.
6. All cell phones must be turned off and put away out of reach, and under no circumstances may any part of any MOD asset be recorded or photographed.
7. At all times, unless advised otherwise in writing, the content of MOD assets must be considered confidential, and all screeners and viewers must respect the BCN Golden Rule of “What’s said in the room stays in the room.” See encryption warnings in bold below.
8. Confidentiality and/or reproduction violations must be reported to BCN immediately via email and cell so that we can recover assets and advise of breaches if warranted. Contact Laura Neubert at lauraneubert@mac.com 604.729.0626.
Note that all MOD episode assets are encrypted and links are user-specific. In addition to visible watermarks, MOD videos have FORENSIC WATERMARKS which are imperceptible to the eye, but can be detected by analysis software to track back leaked video to a specific user session. Digital Rights Management (DRM) prevents all screeners from downloading content or using browser plugins to “rip” streams. We utilize security schemes Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay to protect content from piracy across all devices. In Canada it is illegal to circumvent DRM on copyrighted work, and DRM violation is punishable by law.
Inquiries and/or concerns regarding BCN Best Practices should be directed to:
Walter Mustapich
Co-Founder and President
Westcoast Boys Club Network Foundation
#315-1641 Lonsdale Avenue,
North Vancouver, BC Canada
V7M2J5
778.987.1415
wmustapich@boysclubnetwork.com
Inquiries and/or concerns regarding BCN MOD Video Series should be directed to:
Laura Marie Neubert
Executive Producer
BCN Mentorship On Demand
#315-1641 Lonsdale Avenue,
North Vancouver, BC Canada
V7M2J5
604.729.0626
lauraneubert@mac.com