As a youth-serving organization, the Plainfield Optimist Club (“Club") considers the safety and well-being of the youth in our programs a top priority. We strive to proactively address reports of this type of conduct, even if it means that someone will be embarrassed or upset. We want to hear about problems or concerns, and we will strive to act on them in a fair way in accordance with our policies.  

As a youth-serving organization, the Plainfield Optimist Club (“Club") considers the safety and well-being of the youth in our programs a top priority. We strive to proactively address reports of this type of conduct, even if it means that someone will be embarrassed or upset. We want to hear about problems or concerns, and we will strive to act on them in a fair way in accordance with our policies.  

We will report suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement agencies. 

Policy and Procedures:  

The Club has adopted the following Policy and Procedures to provide a safe environment for our coaches, athletes, and their families.  

1. A background check will be done for each volunteer that includes checking the sexual abuse registry. A copy of our background check policy can be found at the link on the bottom of the page.
2. Each volunteer should review the policies and procedures concerning sexual abuse and watch the Protecting Youth Athletes from Sexual Abuse video.  
3. Each volunteer will read the handouts on sexual abuse that are provided. 
4. Volunteers are prohibited from the following behaviors: 
   • Using degrading language or behavior.   
   •  Threatening or intentionally inflicting physical injury upon anyone.
   • Committing any sexual offense behavior against a minor or engaging in any sexual contact with a minor.
   • Making any sexual advance, or engaging in other verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 
5. Volunteers, and especially coaches, are responsible for stopping disrespectful or threatening behavior between team members, including sexual harassment.  
6. Volunteers are not to be in a one-on-one interaction with a minor except in an emergency where following this policy would be dangerous to the minor. In an emergency situation, the coach or volunteer must contact a representative of the organization to inform him or her of this contact and the reason for it. If a child is receiving individual instruction or working with a private coach, this activity must be in a public setting rather than behind closed doors.

Reporting of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse  

1. A member of the Club’s Board of Directors or other official representatives will be designated to receive reports of sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct. This representative will promptly notify the proper law enforcement agencies and verify that all proper agencies have been notified.  
2. All coaches, volunteers, parents, and program participants are directed to report any incident of abuse or suspected abuse that they witness or that is reported to them to the designated representative of the Board of Directors or to law enforcement. 
3. All coaches, volunteers, parents, and program participants are directed to report any incident of abuse or suspected abuse that they witness or that is reported to them to the designated representative of the Club’s Board of Directors. Note: This does not preclude individuals from reporting abuse or suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement authorities.  
4. The designated representative will keep other Club Board members fully informed.  
5. Should a suspected incidence of abuse be reported, the coach/volunteer in question may be temporarily suspended from duties while an investigation takes place. 

The Board of Directors, when appropriate and permitted, shall communicate reports of child sexual abuse to the league members. The confidentiality of anyone who makes such a report will be protected. 

We will report suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement agencies. 

Policy and Procedures:  

The Club has adopted the following Policy and Procedures to provide a safe environment for our coaches, athletes, and their families.  

1. A background check will be done for each volunteer that includes checking the sexual abuse registry. A copy of our background check policy can be found at the link on the bottom of the page.
2. Each volunteer should review the policies and procedures concerning sexual abuse and watch the Protecting Youth Athletes from Sexual Abuse video.  
3. Each volunteer will read the handouts on sexual abuse that are provided. 
4. Volunteers are prohibited from the following behaviors: 
   • Using degrading language or behavior.   
   •  Threatening or intentionally inflicting physical injury upon anyone.
   • Committing any sexual offense behavior against a minor or engaging in any sexual contact with a minor.
   • Making any sexual advance, or engaging in other verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. 
5. Volunteers, and especially coaches, are responsible for stopping disrespectful or threatening behavior between team members, including sexual harassment.  
6. Volunteers are not to be in a one-on-one interaction with a minor except in an emergency where following this policy would be dangerous to the minor. In an emergency situation, the coach or volunteer must contact a representative of the organization to inform him or her of this contact and the reason for it. If a child is receiving individual instruction or working with a private coach, this activity must be in a public setting rather than behind closed doors.

Reporting of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse  

1. A member of the Club’s Board of Directors or other official representatives will be designated to receive reports of sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct. This representative will promptly notify the proper law enforcement agencies and verify that all proper agencies have been notified.  
2. All coaches, volunteers, parents, and program participants are directed to report any incident of abuse or suspected abuse that they witness or that is reported to them to the designated representative of the Board of Directors or to law enforcement. 
3. All coaches, volunteers, parents, and program participants are directed to report any incident of abuse or suspected abuse that they witness or that is reported to them to the designated representative of the Club’s Board of Directors. Note: This does not preclude individuals from reporting abuse or suspected abuse to the proper law enforcement authorities.  
4. The designated representative will keep other Club Board members fully informed.  
5. Should a suspected incidence of abuse be reported, the coach/volunteer in question may be temporarily suspended from duties while an investigation takes place. 

The Board of Directors, when appropriate and permitted, shall communicate reports of child sexual abuse to the league members. The confidentiality of anyone who makes such a report will be protected. 

Heat Guidelines

The Plainfield Optimist Club utilizes weather guidelines established by Hendricks Regional Health (HRH) to help reduce the risk of exertional heat illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can result in deaths in athletes. The Plainfield Optimist Club Sports Directors have final authority to determine whether to play during periods of high heat index and will use the chart below and the HRH guidelines linked below.

Lightning Guidelines

The Plainfield Optimist Club utilizes the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) lightning and thunder guidelines for severe weather. The following is a a summary:

• When thunder is heard or lightning is seen, play should be suspended at least 30 minutes.
• Play may resume 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or lightning is witnessed.
• Sports directors and board members should use an app such as My Lightning Track & Alerts to monitor lightning in the area. If there is a lightning strike within 10 miles of the facility, play should be suspended until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.

The NFHS policy is linked below.