Team Trip Member Code of Conduct
Please read the items below carefully before signing the form:
Once selected to be a part of a Saving Susan Ministry Team, I make a commitment to:
• Go through the required training process prior to departure and after I return from the trip. If unable to make a meeting I will let the team leader know in advance and review material missed.
• Be personally responsible for incurred expenses on my behalf.
• Submit to the authority and leadership of the team leader, host leader in-the-field, and to all outlined team policies.
• Refrain from any behavior that may compromise my personal, team, or church witness.
• Refrain from consumption of alcohol during the trip, including during travel
• Serve others in any way I can.
• Recognize my role in a positive manner for team fellowship and showing grace to fellow team members, agreeing to pray for our team, our mission and myself.
• As representatives of Jesus Christ, you are responsible to demonstrate a lifestyle consistent with His character and are expected to be men and women of high moral character and whose sexual conduct is consistent with the standards of Scripture. This includes abstaining from any pattern of addiction and from homosexual, premarital, and extramarital sexual conduct.
• Follow the Saving Susan Ministry child protection policy as outlined below:
Team members are not allowed to be alone with children on the trip; all interactions should include two or more adults
Never leave the team or enter an unsupervised area with a child or children
Do not enter the children’s dorms unless authorized by and supervised by a children’s home staff member
Do not engage in any inappropriate behavior with or around the children, team members or in-country partners - including sexually explicit, derogatory, or abusive language and actions
Minors may supervise activities with children only if under the direct leadership of an adult
Physical contact must be appropriate to the situation. If you know the child well or are their Parent Partner, a hug may be appropriate. Otherwise it is safest to err on the side of caution. Fist bumps, high fives, pats on the shoulder, or similar may be more appropriate. Several of the children we partner with have abuse in their past. Ask your team leader for guidance if unsure.
Corporal punishment is never appropriate. This includes any punishment involving pain. The children’s home staff is responsible for disciplining the children and any behavioral issues should be brought to your team leader to bring to their attention
Any observed or suspected violations to these policies should be brought to the immediate attention of your team leader
Focus on these spiritual guidelines when working with young people:
1 Thessalonians 2:11,12 – For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid every kind of evil.
Philippians 4:8 – Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
James 3:8-10 – …but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
• Additionally, if at any time while on the project my behavior constitutes a problem, I understand the team leader has the authority to ask me to return home. Any additional expenses incurred on my behalf as a result of this action will be covered at my own expense.
