Code of Conduct and Standards of Independence

Acushnet Council on Aging Code of Conduct and Standards of Independence

The Town of Acushnet, Council on Aging and Senior Community Center, has established this Behavior Policy to ensure that all of our Senior Community Center and agency sponsored events are welcoming, safe, and provide equitable access to services for all participants. Appropriate behavior at the Council on Aging and Senior Community Center is expected at all times. Generally, the vast majority of center participants, volunteers and staff show respect for others and contribute to an atmosphere that is safe and welcoming. However, when any one person’s behavior is so disruptive, threatening and/or offensive that he or she is impeding other participants from confidently and comfortably attending the center, center-sponsored events, or seeking center services, it is imperative that steps are taken to remedy the situation. Steps will be taken to address and correct the disruptive person’s behavior, or failing that, suspend the person from the center.

It is expected that Council on Aging and Senior Community Center participants, volunteers and staff be able to function independently, responsibly and appropriately. The Acushnet Senior Community Center is not staffed to provide therapy, personal care, assistance with activities of daily living or to supervise the behavior of individuals.  If, at any time, a Council on Aging and Senior Community Center staff member, volunteer or participant feels that his or her personal safety is in jeopardy, the offending party will be asked to leave the center. If the offending party refuses, a call will be made to local law enforcement. These situations may involve threatening or aggressive behavior, or overt interference with the normal operations of the center or commissions of an illegal act. These behaviors will not be tolerated.

No individual may engage in inappropriate conduct at a Council on Aging and Senior Community Center or agency sponsored event. Inappropriate conduct includes any individuals or group activity which is disruptive to other individuals lawfully using Acushnet Council on Aging services, or is otherwise inconsistent with a peaceful and law-abiding demeanor.

Inappropriate Behavior

The following are examples or conduct that shall be deemed “inappropriate.” This conduct is not consistent with responsible attendance at the Council on Aging and Senior Community Center or an agency sponsored event. This is not an exclusive list and other forms of conduct may require staff intervention or be deemed inappropriate by the Council on Aging and Senior Community Center staff. Failure to consistently comply with this policy may result in expulsion or suspension.

Inappropriate behavior requiring staff intervention includes but is not limited to:

1.      Loitering without purpose in the Acushnet Senior Community Center, their entrances, or parking lots.

2.      Failure to wear footwear and shirts on premises.

3.      Knowingly entering non-public areas of the Acushnet Senior Community Center premises.

4.      Interfering with Acushnet Senior Community Center staff in the performance of their duties.

5.      Canvassing, selling, soliciting or engaging in any other commercial or political activity on Acushnet Senior Community Center premises unless approved by the Director of the Center.

6.      Behavior that is disrespectful or verbally abusive.

7.      Creating a disturbance by engaging in disruptive conversation above normal conversational noise levels (whether in person or on a cell phone), deliberately making excessive noise, shouting or talking in a disturbing fashion, the gratuitous use of profanity or engaging in other disruptive conduct.

8.      Bringing any animal onto Acushnet Senior Community Center premises, except service animals, unless approved by the Director of the Acushnet Senior Community Center.

9.      Leaving personal packages, bags and backpacks, unattended on the grounds outside the entrance/exit doors.

10.  Putting feet on the furniture or misusing Acushnet Senior Community Center property.

11.  Usage of the computer and/or internet/WiFi so as to cause harm to others or damage the property of others.

12.  Exhibiting body hygiene that is so offensive as to constitute a nuisance or a hazard to other individuals in the Acushnet Senior Community Center facility building.

13.  Soliciting money for personal gain from staff, volunteers or patrons of the Council on Aging and Senior Community Center.

Prohibited Behavior

The following prohibited behaviors will be seen as grounds for immediate expulsion and/or suspension from the Acushnet Senior Community Center or agency sponsored events. Refusal to leave the center, when asked to do so by the Acushnet Senior Community Center Director or Designee, will result in a call to local law enforcement for assistance.

1.      Being at the Acushnet Senior Community Center or attending center activities or events while under the influence or possession of alcohol or drugs.

2.      The use of threatening language. This includes, but is not limited to, bullying, physical threats, name calling, obscenities, sexist and/or racist language.

3.      Behaving in a physically violent, abusive, aggressive and/or threatening manner, or any behavior that would put a person’s safety in jeopardy.

4.      Possession of weapons or explosive substances, other than those authorized by law enforcement personnel.

5.      Panhandling (food, money, cigarettes, etc.) at the Acushnet Senior Community Center.

6.      Interfering with the Acushnet Senior Community Center staff’s ability to deliver Center services, or to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for other participants.

7.      Committing any criminal offense or participating in any illegal activity.

8.      Usage of the public computers and/or Internet/WiFi so as to: cause harm to others or violate the law, to encourage others to violate the law, or view, transmit, or download sexually explicit pornographic materials or child pornography.