61st Annual Diocesan Youth Convention
Adult Chaperone Meeting Information
The following materials were distributed and/or presented at the Adult Chaperone Meetings. If you were unable to attend, please print these documents, review them carefully, and share the information with your group. If you have any questions, please contact your group leader or a department staff member.
SIGN UP FOR HALL DUTY
All adult and junior advisor chaperones MUST sign up for TWO shifts of hall duty during the Convention weekend. (Group Leaders sign up for ONE shift.) If you have not already signed up for your shifts, please follow this link to sign up online.
Adult Chaperone Meeting - MANDATORY
All adult and junior advisor chaperones MUST attend one of the Adult Chaperone Meetings. Choose the day and time that best fits your schedule:
- Thursday, January 17, 2013; 7:00-9:00 PM at the Catholic Center, 795 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
- Saturday, January 19, 2013; 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM at St. Mary of Lourdes, Bemus Point, 41 Main Street, Bemus Point, NY 14712
These meetings will include additional information about the schedule, a discussion of the rules and procedures for the participants, a time for questions and the opportunity to choose the times that you will serve as a hall monitor.
Safe Environment Compliance:
All persons age 18 and older who work regularly with youth in the Diocese of Buffalo must fulfill the following requirements of the Diocesan Safe Environment Program.
Because of the intense, extended nature of the Convention experience, the following requirements apply to all adults and junior advisors who attend the Convention:
- Completed a Uniform Volunteer Questionnaire
- Have references checked by parish
- Signed the Code of Conduct
- Have a criminal background check (requested by parish)
- Attended the Protecting God’s Children seminar; and
- Stay current on the Virtus Online Training Bulletins
Group leaders MUST be sure that adults and junior advisors with your group are in compliance with this program and verify this compliance by completing and returning the Safe Environment Compliance Letter with your registration materials by January 17, 2013.
Chaperone Responsibilities:
Adult and junior advisor chaperones are expected to model appropriate behavior at all times and enforce all Convention policies and guidelines.
- Chaperones should ensure that their youth participants attend all sessions of the Convention. Any illness must be reported to a member of the DYYAM staff or security team.
- Chaperones should ensure that all youth participants act and dress appropriately and obey all Convention rules throughout the weekend.
- Chaperones should be especially attentive to chaperoning youth during the dinner break on Saturday.
- Chaperones do not have the authority to extend curfew or excuse youth from any of the rules of the Convention.
- All chaperones are expected to serve as Hall Monitors for two three-hour shifts. Chaperones sign up for these shifts at the Mandatory Adult Meeting.
Hall Monitoring:
In order to ensure that the hotel is a safe place for all participants, the hotel is monitored throughout the Convention. This can only be done with the assistance of ALL adult and junior advisor chaperones who attend the Convention. By serving as a Hall Monitor, you ensure a safe and healthy atmosphere for all participants.
- Hall Monitors report to Room 321 ten minutes before their shift to check in and find their assigned location.
- Specific instructions will be provided at the Adult Chaperone Meeting and at the Convention.
Chaperone Ratio:
Each group up to 12 youth participants must be accompanied by at least two adult chaperones. One additional adult chaperone is required for every additional six youth beyond the initial 12.
Rooming Policies:
Adult and junior advisor chaperones may only share rooms with other adults or junior advisors. Adults and junior advisors may NOT room with youth unless all persons in the room are immediate family.
Group Leader:
Each parish group attending must designate one adult age 22 or older to be the Parish Group Leader. This adult is the contact person between the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministry and the parish and has primary responsibility for the parish group during the Convention.
Breakouts for Adults:
During the two rounds of breakout sessions on Saturday, there will be special sessions for adults and junior advisors to help you grow in your knowledge and skills for ministry. Adults are strongly encouraged to participate in these sessions.
Junior Advisors:
Young adults – who have completed high school and are ages 18-20 – who attend the Convention are considered junior advisors.
- All junior advisors are required to abide by the rules of the Convention for youth participants.
- All junior advisors are expected to serve two shifts as Hall Monitors.
- There must be at least six (6) youth participants registered for every junior advisor.
Return to the Diocesan Youth Convention main page