Please read the Volunteer Conduct Standards below and print the linked document for your records.
Each year Junior Achievement staff shall convey these standards in writing to all volunteers prior to their first visit to the
classroom. Staff shall review these standards verbally, as well, with volunteers teaching for the first time.
Junior Achievement (JA) serves youth. JA volunteers teach valuable lessons in their program delivery and especially in
their conduct with students. Volunteer misconduct with or in the presence of youth carries serious consequences.
Because Junior Achievement cares that its volunteers have healthy, appropriate relationships with the youth they serve,
it has established the following standards.
- Young people look to volunteers for examples of appropriate behavior. JA volunteers must use appropriate
language and model honorable behavior, such as respect, integrity, honesty, and excellence. Profanity or
sexualized language or jokes are inappropriate when working with students, regardless whether it occurs face-to-face,
over the Internet, or by any other means. JA strictly forbids violating any state law regarding interactions with
youth; for example, providing them alcohol or legal or illegal drugs, or coaxing them into illicit relationships over the
Internet or otherwise. - Volunteers must take particular care when touching youth. Most understand the difference between appropriate
physical contact such as a handshake or pat on the back, and contact that is sexual or disrespectful. Volunteers
also must be cognizant of how any physical contact may be perceived. - Interactions with students must both be appropriate and appear appropriate. It is expected that volunteers’
interactions with students are at all times appropriate and professional, and are strictly related to the role of
mentor. It is unacceptable to seek or engage in one-to-one meetings with students at any time. - Volunteers are responsible for the quality of interactions. Students often find it difficult to state discomfort or
objections. Volunteers must be especially sensitive to physical and verbal cues that youth provide.
The aforementioned standards do not represent a comprehensive list. Other actions not included could result in
suspension or dismissal as a volunteer. JA volunteers also must read and comply with JA’s Social Media Policy.
Junior Achievement takes all complaints of misconduct seriously. Credible allegations of misconduct will be promptly
reported to the appropriate authorities. During any such investigation, the JA volunteer will not perform services as a JA
volunteer. If an investigation determines misconduct occurred, it will result in the immediate and permanent dismissal as
a JA volunteer. Any JA staff member or volunteer who reasonably suspects misconduct must report these suspicions
immediately to the appropriate JA staff person with their JA Area.