AIS Youth Membership Program

The AIS Youth Chair is responsible for implementing this Policy at all national events where youth participate, and for coordinating with the regions, sections and affiliates for the adoption and implementation of the same or similar Policy for those organizations. The Youth Chair shall provide a copy of this Policy to the parents or legal guardians of youth participating in AIS national programs. A copy of the Policy shall be maintained online at irises.org. The Youth Chair will be responsible for sharing this Policy with all RVPs and section chairs and encouraging adoption of it for their own use.

At all times, regions, sections and affiliates must be aware that the AIS is not responsible for any functions they carry out which involve youth participation.

Prohibited conduct. Youth participating in AIS functions shall not be exposed to the following types of behavior: verbal, physical or emotional abuse, harassment based on race, sex, gender, national origin, religion, and/or political affiliation. Touching must be avoided unless in the presence of the parent or legal guardian and then only with their consent. Comments about a child’s physical appearance should also be avoided.

Adult supervision. Parents or legal guardians are responsible for their minor children at all times while participating in AIS functions. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to participate. For purposes of this Policy, “youth” is defined as anyone under the age of 19.

One-on-one contact between adult AIS members and youth participants in AIS functions is not allowed.
• In situations requiring personal contact, the meeting is to be conducted with the knowledge of other adults and in their physical line of sight at all times.
• Private online communications (texting, emails, phone calls, chat, IM, etc.) must include the youth’s parent or legal guardian. For AIS members with AIS email accounts, their AIS email account shall be used in all communications with youth participants.
• Communication by way of social media (Facebook, Snapchat, etc.) must also include the youth’s parent or legal guardian.

Photography. The AIS will only use identifiable pictures of children in its publications or digital media with the express written consent of the parent. Similarly, the AIS will only use the name of the child with express written consent of the parent. Parents or guardians must sign and date the attached Release Form. Please be aware that verbal consent is not enough.
In the absence of written consent, the AIS will avoid the use of any pictures of youth where the youth can be identified. This means that the AIS will not use in any AIS publication, whether written or digital, pictures showing a youth’s face or any other information which can be used to identify the child. AIS may use pictures showing a child’s back or hands, for example, so long as no identifying information is contained in the photo. We ask that members avoid taking identifiable pictures of youth at AIS functions except for parents taking pictures of their own children.
When identifying youth participants in AIS functions, the AIS shall only use the child’s first name and last initial unless it has express written consent to use the child’s full name.

Transportation. AIS adult members shall not provide private transportation for youth participating in AIS functions unless they are transporting their own child or legal ward. Otherwise, youth should be transported by their parents or legal guardians.

Gifts. Youth participating in AIS functions may receive gifts or prizes only if they are given and received in the same manner as other gifts. For example, door prizes or gift irises that are available to all youth participants are permissible. Awards made to youth under the same rules applicable to all youth participants is also permissible.

Reporting. Any AIS member who reasonably suspects, observes, or is otherwise made aware of any prohibited conduct directed to a youth participating in an AIS national function must immediately report that information to the AIS Youth Chair. Once the Youth Chair receives such a report, they must immediately make a report to law enforcement or to the local child protective services agency.