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| Managing Youth Volunteers https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3943 |
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| Author: | Dave Sutter [ Tue Sep 10, 2002 6:23 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Managing Youth Volunteers |
This will probably stir up some controversy, but hopefully it will bring up some very good thoughts. I was wondering how other museums handle volunteers under the age of 18. What policies are in place? What limitations are there on minor volunteers? Do any museums just say no to minors volunteering? Please share all thoughts, concerns, and ideas. Thankyou Dave Sutter Director of Research and Development Michigan Transit Museum Michigan Transit Museum sutterd@hotmail.com |
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| Author: | C.Wylde [ Tue Sep 10, 2002 9:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
I regularly supervise up to as many as 8 youths (ages 11-15) at our place. Although we don't have any formal policies directly regarding youth, I would strongly recommend that any youth be "sponsored" by an adult who is well-acquainted with them. There is no substitute for accountability when supervising or training youth to work around rail equipment and machinery. It's dangerous business and an accident involving a minor could doom a museum to years of litigation and expense. I am not implying that youth are more careless or dangerous than other volunteers. In fact, my crew has only suffered one minor cut and a few blisters. However, parents will hold you to a high standard when exposing their kid to challenging tasks and substances like asbestos and lead paint. Step 1: Get to know some kids personally through a shop teacher or church youth group. Step 2: Interest them in what goes on at your institution. Step 3: Get buy in from their parents. Step 4: Involve them in challenging tasks (not just weeding or picking up trash. Step 5: Stress safety first! Step 6: Recognize them for their efforts in your newsletters. Step 7: Point out to them the satisfaction of a job well done. Step 8: Repeat steps 1-7. wyld@sbcglobal.net |
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| Author: | Alan Walker [ Tue Sep 10, 2002 10:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum's official policy (as of 1992) concerning youth did have age minimums set forth in it. The minimum age for train crew service (non-operating positions such as car host, trainman, etc.) was set at 17 years of age while the minimum age for shop service was 15 years of age. All individuals were required to possess either a leaner's permit or valid driver's license, a current DOT physical and either be undergoing operating rules instruction or have taken and passed the TVRM operating rules examination. Youth under the legal driving age would be allowed to participate providing that they were accompanied by and under the constant supervision of a member in good standing (read sponsored). However, the sponsor had to be someone other than a youth's parent since members were prohibited by the same policy from bringing their own children as it would not be possible for a member to closely supervise their child while working in the shop. Members on duty (conductors, engineers, agents, etc.) were also prohibited from bringing their children on the property when so assigned to assure the presentation to the public of a professional image. TVRM's current practice is similiar to that provided for in the 1992 policy. However, minimum age for operations crews is mandated by the Federal Railroad Administration as 18 years of age. We do allow youth members to participate in train operations but not in called positions (conductor, engineer, fireman, etc.) unless they meet the age requirement. They are required to work under the supervision of a member in good standing or in many cases, a railroad employee. We have generally found that through our practices, we have been able to promote safe youth involvement in TVRM activities by placing limitations where needed and requiring that they undertake the same safety training and testing as the operations staff. That may seem a bit harsh to some people, but as it has been said so often here, railroading is inherently dangerous. Also, doing something such as requiring youth volunteers to study operating rules and pass the same operating rules exam as the train crews is something for them to take pride in doing. By meeting that level of competancy, safety is promoted and the youth have an accomplishment to build their confidence. It can be a motivator if used correctly and a case where kids can take pride in their achivement, knowing that we didn't lower the expectations simply because of their age. "Dumbing down" tests or expectations has become something of a problem in recent years. awalker2002@comcast.net |
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| Author: | Allen [ Tue Sep 10, 2002 11:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
While not a museum, per se. The Northwest Penna Steamn Engine and Old Equipment assocation (Affectionately and much shorter aka "Portersville Steam Show") has young people involved in several areas. The minimum age to drive the 15" gauge gas-mechanical train is 12 after a brief technical check out, and briefer safety lecture (There is usually a shortage of people, they seem to find it "boring") Young or old the engineer's job is supervised by the family that built and maintains the train. Children have been operators on the half scale steam traction engines as young as 10 (VERY closely supervised.), and the young lady who ran the Keystone driller this year was (I believe) 16 (her grandpa helped a little). The lady who runs the ice cream shop has her children helping her as well. Between shows, the kids aren't as active, but some do come out for work days. Please note, however, most of these young people are the children of active members, or have their parent's permission and approval. |
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| Author: | Ron Tessier [ Thu Sep 12, 2002 12:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
One of our volunteers at or organization passed this on to me. This is an issue that I have been persuing the answer to for our organization. When it comes to outside organizations coming in, i.e. Boy Scouts, they are covered by there own policy. I believe the same pertains to school groups. Whenever a school has an activity outside of its premises, the school usually is responsible for the well being of the students. I also found out that L&I and Osha can play a role in this. However that can vary from state to state. One rule that is stated by OSHA is that individuals under the age 0f 18 cannot operate machinery that is considered to be dangerous, cranes, hoists, large trucks, forklifts, tractors, etc... One proposal I am working on for our organization, if individual minors under the age of 16 want to come up and volunteer, they must be with a legal gardian. If they are between the ages of 16-17 they can show up on their own but are limited to what they are allowed to do. Once 18, they can have free range of what tasks they can perform as they are now legally an adult. My theory is there is always some sleazy lawyer out there waiting to take a case on that involves a minor in a dangerous environment. Also, check with the insurance provider of your organization. tron10@qwest.net |
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| Author: | John E. Rimmasch [ Sun Sep 15, 2002 11:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
> This will probably stir up some controversy, > but hopefully it will bring up some very > good thoughts. I was wondering how other > museums handle volunteers under the age of > 18. What policies are in place? What > limitations are there on minor volunteers? > Do any museums just say no to minors > volunteering? Please share all thoughts, > concerns, and ideas. Dave, My name is John E. Rimmasch, I am the CMO at the Heber Valley Railroad in Heber City Utah. We have established volunteer policies for youth under 18 at the HVRR, here are some ideas and a list of things we do. 1. We encourage adults with youth to stay with youth. In other words, if the young kids want to join, we ask that dad does too. 2. Some dads or moms, may not want to or even be able to join and work. So, we have established a policy that allows parants to sign a waiver allowing the kid to work. The catch here is this. The parent must spend time with me first, in an interview explaining in great detail what is allowed and what is not allowed. I also take the parent on a tour of the shop and explain what we do and how we do it. 3. The kids are not allowed on certain projects and in certain areas of the shop. Examples, kids are not allowed in pits, on ladders, on running boards and so on. Kids also are not allowed to use any machine! Though this seems rough, the parents and the kids are okay with it. I currently have three "human grease rags" (kids) at the shop. They love the work and they love just being there with all the adults! I strongly recommend that you allow youth under strict rules. I recommend also that you go out of your way to invite the youth and work with the parents. These kids will keep the thing running in twenty years when you are gone! Call me, I would love to help! John E. Rimmasch CMO HVRR (435)-654-5601 EXT 105 > Thankyou > Dave Sutter > Director of Research and Development > Michigan Transit Museum jrimmasch@yahoo.com |
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| Author: | L Beckman [ Mon Sep 16, 2002 6:31 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Managing Youth Volunteers |
> Dave, > My name is John E. Rimmasch, I am the CMO at > the Heber Valley Railroad in Heber > City Utah. > We have established volunteer policies for > youth under 18 at the HVRR, here are > some ideas and a list of things we do. > 1. We encourage adults with youth to stay > with youth. In other words, if the young > kids want to join, we ask that dad does too. > 2. Some dads or moms, may not want to or > even be able to join and work. So, we > have established a policy that allows > parants to sign a waiver allowing the kid to > work. > The catch here is this. The parent must > spend time with me first, in an interview > explaining in great detail what is allowed > and what is not allowed. I also take the > parent on a tour of the shop and explain > what we do and how we do it. > 3. The kids are not allowed on certain > projects and in certain areas of the shop. > Examples, kids are not allowed in pits, on > ladders, on running boards and so on. Kids > also are not allowed to use any machine! > Though this seems rough, the parents and > the kids are okay with it. I currently have > three "human grease rags" (kids) > at the > shop. They love the work and they love just > being there with all the adults! John: How old are your "grease rags"? How often do they come to the museum? And how long have they been coming? Thanks! > I strongly recommend that you allow youth > under strict rules. I recommend also that > you go out of your way to invite the youth > and work with the parents. These kids will > keep the thing running in twenty years when > you are gone! > Call me, I would love to help! > John E. Rimmasch > CMO HVRR > (435)-654-5601 EXT 105 midlandblb@cs.com |
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