STURBRIDGE COUNCIL ON AGING
STANDARDS FOR PARTICIPATION
The Senior Center presents many social situations that call for mutual respect among participants. It is also a place where active adults come and go to the many programs and services. The following Standards of Participation will help to create a welcoming atmosphere at the Senior Center as well as promote the the COA mission of keeping seniors active within the community:
1. Participants must be respectful of other people and their personal belongings, opinions, lifestyles, and emotions.
2. Participants must be cognitive and self-sufficient. They must be responsible for their own transportation, personal care, etc.
3. Alcohol, illegal drugs, and smoking are prohibited.
4. Anyone creating a physical or verbal disturbance or disruption will be asked to leave.
5. Participants must adhere to the Sexual Harassment Policies of the Town of Sturbridge as summarized below.
The COA director or other designated personnel will enforce the above policies. All enforcement activities will be reported to the Town Administrator.
Summary of Sexual Harassment Policy of the Town of Sturbridge
Sexual harassment is prohibited by State and Federal Law. The Town also condemns and prohibits sexual harassment. Sexual harassment does not refer to purely voluntary social activities. It refers to behavior which is not welcomed by the other person, which is personally offensive to him or her, and which undermines morale. Sexual harassment, as defined by the law, may, depending upon the circumstances, include unwelcome actions such as:
a) Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, use of sexually degrading words or jokes or language of a sexual nature.
b) Physical conduct including patting, pinching, or repeated brushing against another’s body.
c) Demands or requests for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment or threats concerning an individual’s status within a group.
d) Continuing to express sexual interest after being informed that the interest is unwelcome.
e) Assaults or molestations.
f) Posting or distributing sexually suggestive pictures or other materials.
Sexual harassment is not limited to prohibited behaviors by a male toward a female. Sexual harassment can occur in a variety of circumstances:
a) A man, as well as a woman, may be the victim of sexual harassment, and a woman, as well as a man, can be the harasser.
b) The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex from the harasser.
c) The victim does not have to be the person at whom the unwelcome sexual conduct is directed. The victim may be someone who is affected by the harassing conduct, even when it is directed toward another person, if the conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
(The complete policy can be found at the Town Hall.)
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