POLICY AND PROCEDURES

YMCA OF THE GOLDEN CRESCENT

mission & core values

Our Mission
To put Judeo-Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Strengthening the community is our purpose!
For 123 years, we have been listening and responding to our community’s most critical social needs, ensuring that everyone has the chance to learn, grow, and thrive, regardless of age, income, ability, ethnicity, or faith.

We incorporate core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith into all we do. These values guide the YMCA’s mission to strengthen communities by developing youth, promoting healthy living, and fostering social responsibility.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The YMCA is founded on Christian principles and prohibits inappropriate behavior and conduct. In an effort to assure the safety and welfare of all participants, we require members and guests follow the YMCA of the Golden Crescent Code of Conduct. This is to ensure the highest respect and courtesy toward one another, as well as to guarantee the proper use, maintenance, and care of YMCA property and equipment.

The use of the YMCA is a privilege which can be revoked at any time for violating the Code of Conduct including termination of memberships. At the discretion of YMCA staff, membership or program participation may be denied or revoked for any reason.

Violations to the YMCA Code of Conduct include but are not limited to the following:

Inappropriate behavior of a physical or sexual nature including lewd behavior and/or unwanted advances within any area of the YMCA.
Harassment including verbal, physical or sexual inappropriate behavior by/of members, staff, supervisors, volunteers, and vendors.
Smoking or vaping. The Y is a tobacco-free facility.
The consumption, possession, distribution, or use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or unauthorized substances on YMCA property or while participating in any YMCA program, activity, or event.
Use of devices to take photos in locker rooms. Cell phones may only be used to make phone calls or send text messages. Video calls not permitted.
Possession of firearms or weapons on YMCA property. No firearms or weapons are allowed on YMCA premises except for sworn law enforcement officers with proper identification and individuals with a concealed carry permit (30.06). Open carry (30.07) is prohibited on YMCA property.
Theft or behavior that results in the destruction or loss of property.
Vandalism of the facility or property.
Foul language, fighting, spitting, and other forms of inappropriate behaior are prohibited on YMCA premises and all YMCA activites and programs.
Unauthorized entrance into the facility by way of illegal use of a pass, sneaking in, refusing to present photo ID upon entry, and/or aiding and abetting.
No pets are allowed on property.
Proper athletic attire is determined at the discretion of YMCA staff.

Athletic Attire:

- Proper athletic attire must be worn at all times. Clothing displaying vulgar or inappropriate language or images, as well as excessively revealing clothing, is not permitted.
- Participants are required to wear appropriate footwear suitable for the activity or program (i.e. pool, gym, wellness center, etc). Closed toe shoes are required in the wellness and gym areas. Shoes must be worn throughout the facility and locker rooms. Modified footwear rules apply in the pool and yoga areas.
- Clothing and hair must be dry if using equipment.
- Fully covered shirts are required at all times while in the facility.
- Crocs, sandals, and slides are not appropriate athletic attire.
- All members and staff must be treated with respect and courtesy.

Additional guidelines are posted in each department (pool, wellness center, basketball gym, etc.). The Y reserves the right to ask anyone not adhering to the posted rules to leave the premises.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

Facility – Members age 17 and under are not permitted into the facility during school hours Monday-Friday. Home school is an exception.

Members ages 11 and under may be in the facility WITH adult supervision. If childwatch areas are not accessible. This does not include the Wellness Center area.
Members ages 12-17 may be in the facility WITHOUT adult supervision in the appropriate areas.

Gymnasium/Courts – Must be at least 12 years old to borrow equipment for basketball and racquetball and to reserve the racquetball courts.

Wellness Center – Members and guests ages 16 and older may have access to the Wellness Center area.

Members ages 9-15 are required to attend the Youth/Teen Training Class before they can utilize the wellness and free weight areas.

Access after completion of course:
- Ages 12-15 may access the Wellness Center with a parent/guardian in the facility approved areas.
- Ages 9-11 may access the Wellness Center with a parent/guardian with them at all times.
- Ages 9-15 that choose to use the free weight room are required to have a parent/guardian with them at all times.

Youth/Teens – Ages 15 and under required to have parent sign at front desk

Ages 15 and under have a 4-hour time limit in the building. This includes members and guests.
Ages under 12 must have parent/guardian on premises.

FACILITY POLICIES

Fee Structure – Effective January 1, 2025, the YMCA of the Golden Crescent imposes a Flex Fee of 3% on all credit card transactions.

Guests – Guest access varies per branch. All guests must sign in at the front desk. Guests who are minors must have a parent/guardian complete and sign the liability waiver at their first visit. Minor guests under the age of 12 must have a parent/guardian with them while using the facility.

Locker Rooms – You must be at least 18 years old to be in the locker rooms. Any persons under 18 years old found using the amenities in the locker rooms (whirlpool, sauna, steam room) will be removed and repeat offenders will have their memberships revoked. Lockers may be reserved with the Front Desk staff.

Teen and Youth Policy – Members ages 9-15 must attend the Teen & Youth Wellness Class to have access to the Wellness area this includes the Cardio and Nautilus Equipment. This does not include the free weight room. Usage of Wellness Area permitted upon completion with parent/adult on the Y premises. Free weight room access requires the completion of this class and a Parent/Guardian supervision.

Lost and Found – The YMCA is not responsible for personal belongings. Items will be turned in to the front desk and placed/logged within the lost and found. Owners of lost items will be contacted if possible. Items will need to be described to obtain said item(s), proof of identification may be asked to be shown. Items lost at the YMCA of the Golden Crescent will be kept for two weeks.

Photos – YMCA of the Golden Crescent has the authority, including the absolute right and permission to take, copyright, use, and publish photographs of or concerning individuals using the YMCA facility or participating in YMCA programs. Photographs become the exclusive property of the YMCA.

Sex Offenders – YMCA of the Golden Crescent has a no-tolerance policy with regard to those persons who are a registered sex offender and such persons will not be allowed to obtain or continue membership at the YMCA. Participation in YMCA programs by registered sexual offenders is denied, and participation privileges will be revoked for any current member or participant who is considered a registered sex and/or violent offender as defined by the Texas Code.

Loitering – Loitering is not permitted in or outside the YMCA.

Music – Headphones required for all music playing devices.

Phone Calls – Calls must not be conducted using speakerphone.

MEMBERSHIP POLICIES

Membership cards must be scanned at the Front Desk to access our facilities.
YMCA membership cards are the member’s passport to the facility. Cards are non-transferable and remain the property of the YMCA of the Golden Crescent.
- If your card is lost or stolen it may be replaced for a nominal fee, so please contact the Front Desk as soon as possible.
- Members are asked to have their photo taken for security reasons. When members scan their membership card upon entry of the facility, their photo is displayed on the staff computer screen. This is done so that staff and members can be sure the correct members are using the membership cards.
- Membership at the YMCA of the Golden Crescent is non-transferable.
Membership fees and joining fees are non-refundable.

The YMCA of the Golden Crescent will issue refunds or credits to your account if we must cancel a program.
- If a participant has a medical exemption or is dissatisfied with the program, a credit may be issued to the individual’s account. No pro-rates are granted after a program has started. All requests and concerns will be reviewed on a case-by-case and are subject to the discretion of the YMCA Executive Director.
- Membership refunds depending on the circumstance will only be back dated 3 months. Please be advised that requests for a program credit or refund are subject to the approval of the Department Director, Executive Director, and CEO.
- An account balance from unpaid membership, program fees, etc., will restrict a member’s access to our facility and programs.

Memberships are not under contract and can be terminated at any time.
- Terminations require a 30-day written notice.
  - For the Barbara Bauer Briggs Family YMCA – A completed membership cancellation form must be emailed to the Membership Director at [email protected] or completed in person at the front desk. (Membership Cancellation Form)
  - For the Calhoun County YMCA – fill out a cancellation form at the front desk. To rejoin the Y an account must be in good standing with no remaining balance. Members who reactivate their membership within 30 days of cancellation may rejoin without paying a joining fee. Prorated dues will still apply.

Changes to a membership require a 30-day written notice at the Front Desk. This includes the following:
- Adding or deleting individuals from a membership
- Name and address changes
- Billing changes. This information must be provided as soon as possible as not to interrupt membership.

Memberships are drafted on the 1st or 15th of every month. Should any member debt not be honored by the member’s credit card company or bank for any reason, the member is still responsible for that debt. A $10 or $30 return fee will be applied to all returns. This is in addition to any service fee the member’s credit card company or bank may charge. The membership is subject to termination if the debt of two months is not paid and/or payments are returned 3 times.
Parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children at all times. Children under the age of 12 years may not be left unattended in the facility. Unsupervised workouts using cardiovascular equipment or free weights is not permitted prior to age 16 years without completion of YMCA Teen and Youth Training.

The YMCA is founded on Christian principles and prohibits inappropriate behavior and conduct.