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Participants

MDD YAN  Conferences are organized by and for young adults ages 18-35 at the time of the conference. Individuals age 13-17 and/or 36 and over may attend MDD YAN conferences only with permission from the respective conference core leadership team. Participants outside the 18-35 age range are asked to respect the young adult leadership and accountability to the young adult community, and follow all rules and guidelines as set forth by the respective conference planning team. These expectations shall be conveyed to said participants in advance of the beginning of the conference.

Childcare Policy at MDD YAN Conferences

1.      Children accompanying participants and presenters up to the age of 12 are welcome to attend MDD YAN Conferences.

2.      MDD YAN conferences are young adult spaces, which means they are designed by and for young adults aged 18-35 inclusive. There may be situations, schedules or unscheduled, in which it would be inappropriate for children outside this age range to attend. The core organizing team has discretion to identify these situations – ideally in advance, but if necessary, then on the fly – and the core organizing team is responsible for making sure the decision is communicated to parents. Parents and their children must follow any decisions made by the core organizing team with respect to the inclusion of children at specific events or segments of MDD YAN conferences.

3.      While it is preferred that childcare b provided for the business and workshop times of a conferences, we do realize that this is not always a reality. If formal childcare is not provided, the community will be encouraged to volunteer for shifts. Ultimately, the parent is responsible for the child/children.

4.      Children must be under the supervision of a designated responsible adult at all times.

5.      The conference planners will determine registration costs for children attending.

6.      The conference planners will make time during conference orientation to discuss childcare and appropriate/inappropriate actions and spaces with the community, parents, and attending children.

7.      Youth ages 13-17 may not attend. Special exceptions may be made, with the permission of the conference core leadership team.

8.      If there is only one non-parent designated care-giver with a child, that child and caregiver must be in plain view of other adults.

9.      Only parents may administer medication to children, over the counter or prescription.

10.  Parents who intend to bring children MUST register at least one month in advance of the start date of the conference to ensure that conference leadership is adequately prepared for children attending.

11.  Parents bringing children must sign a covenant that includes, but is not limited to the following:

·          Recognizing that MDD YAN conferences are Young Adult spaces.

·          Parents will be responsible for and available to their child at all times.

·          Children are to be held accountable to the rules and standards of the community.

·          Recognition that there will be times and spaces during the conference that are not child-friendly, and that the parent must take steps to ensure that the child is in a child friendly space at these times.

Conference Rules and Conflict Resolution Process

Part A. Conference Rules

All conference participants must agree and show written consent to the following statement of rules:

 

We are a community that intentionally chooses to be drug and alcohol-free, firearm and weapon-free, and violence-free.

 

Our goal is to uphold healthy communities, healthy relationships, and to discourage sexual harassment, and inappropriate sexual activity n the conference community. Healthy relationships are respectful, consensual, pleasurable, safe, caring, developmentally appropriate, and based on mutual expectations.

 

In the conference community, we are encouraged to express ourselves in healthy ways and to respect each other’s boundaries. However, behaviour that breaks down the community, including sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual activity, is destructive and will not be tolerated. This policy applies equally to all conference participants, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, leadership status, cultural background, gender expression, longevity in community, etc.

 

Participants and staff alike are to discuss, respect, and uphold this policy in conference community.

Part B. Conflict Resolution Process

  1. Try to resolve the conflict either by talking directly with the person or seeing the support of an ally.

  2. Bring the issue to a member of the conference staff.

  3. The conference staff member will convene a meeting of staff members including the chaplain and those involved with the          conflict, if appropriate. The convened staff members are empowered to establish process and make decisions that are final for the duration of the conference.

  4. Allies should be made available to all parties in the conflict.

  5. The convened staff members’ decision will be made with all due speed.

  • Consequences may include (but are not limited to) asking the participants to leave the conference or contacting local authorities.

  • The MDD*UUYAN Steering Committee can impose consequences beyond the conference, such as barring from other MDD*UUYAN events.

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