WELCOME! Conference. As the planning team for this year s DYC, the youth from St. Ann s Parish in Carthage are excited to see you all in West Plains!

Transcription

1

2 Conference At-A-Glance What: Diocesan Youth Conference When: March 23-25, 2018 Where: West Plains Civic Center Who: 9-12th Graders How Much: $60 early registration fee (postmarked by March 2nd) $70 regular registration fee (postmarked after March 2nd) WELCOME! As the planning team for this year s DYC, the youth from St. Ann s Parish in Carthage are excited to see you all in West Plains! The Fun Starts on Friday Night As people arrive and pick up registration packets on Friday evening (7:00-10:00pm), hang around and join our evening of activities: 7:00 Packet pick-up begins 8:00 Pizza and Karaoke 9:00 Assemble Easter baskets for Samaritan Outreach (NEW this year!) Additional costs include transportation, food and lodging. Make checks payable to: Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau 2

3 Sean Forrest KEYNOTE SPEAKERS In January of 2000, Sean founded Movin With The Spirit, Inc. (MWTS), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to boldly proclaiming God s eternal Truth and love. The group s mission was to reach out to the lost and lonely in the name of Christ. Sean has had the opportunity to speak to hundreds of thousands of teens and adults across the country and internationally. He has been a guest on multiple programs on EWTN and has been featured in many magazines and newspapers. Sean has performed and spoken at venues such as: NCYC, World Youth Day, and the Creation fest and Soul fest Christian music festivals. He is an annual keynote speaker at the Steubenville youth conferences-and challenges men at diocesan men s conferences throughout the country to live their faith and lead others to Christ. He reaches out to both the hearts and minds of his audiences, in keeping with the focus of Pope John Paul II s Fides et Ratio (Faith and Reason). Sean s music has earned him honors at the UCMVA UNITY Awards. For his extensive work with the groundbreaking youth ministry, he was the recipient of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry s For God and Youth award. He has released his seventh album, You Will Be Alright. Find out more about his ministry and music at SeanForrest.com. Building on his organization s work in the U.S., Sean has also mobilized a team to house, feed, and care for the poor of Haiti-children and villagers in desperate need of support Haiti180 (haiti180.com) constructed and operates a chapel, lively orphanage, state-of-theart school, and home for the elderly. The organization is in the process of building a medical clinic for the local and surrounding communities. The Catholic digest recently published and article about his mission in Haiti. Sean is a graduate of Holy of Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn., where he did work as an instructor and retreat leader. He now lives in the Nashville, TN area, with his wife and three children. Sister M. Karolyn Vocations Director, Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Originally from Rhode Island, Sister Karolyn graduated with a degree in Theology from Franciscan University and worked as a youth minister and director of religious education in Tennessee for 2 years. Sr. Karolyn says, It seemed that the Lord was always asking for more. Thinking, however, that I could satisfy him by working in his vineyard, I ran away from my vocation, but I could not hide. During that time working in the parish, I grew in prayer and fell more in love with him. I slowly began to discover that he was inviting me to not to do more for him, but to be more for him. It became evident to Sr. Karolyn that God desired for her to express her feminine genius as his spouse in consecrated religious life and to live the capacity he gave her for spiritual motherhood. I was attracted to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, whom I met during my years at Franciscan University, because I love the incarnational spirituality of St. Francis who encountered Christ in the crib, on the cross, and in the Eucharist. Sr. Karolyn s prayer was continually focused on the cross and the pierced side of Christ which is the very spirituality and charism of her congregation: to look upon him whom we have pierced (John 19:37). In 2005 she entered our community after finally deciding to give Jesus the more he had been asking for: the gift of herself. She was particularly inspired by the life and admonition of her hero, Pope St. John Paul II, for whom she takes her religious name, to BE NOT AFRAID. Since Sr. Karolyn has spent time working in a parish, teaching and doing campus ministry and retreats in high schools in New Jersey and Kansas. On August 14, 2015, Sr. Karolyn promised to give Jesus more forever when she made her final vows. Following the Lord in this way of life, Sister Karolyn continues, has been a great adventure, and in my giving him more, he has given me more than my heart could have ever imagined. Tony Melendez - Special Musical Guest Born without arms, Tony became a gifted musician learning to play the guitar with his feet. Tony had the opportunity to give an unforgettable performance for Pope St. John Paul II in 1987 which catapulted him in to an international music ministry. He has since traveled all across the United States and to forty-four foreign countries sharing his music and story of faith. The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has been blessed that Tony, his wife Lynn and their two children have called Branson home for many years! The House Band Once again, music throughout the weekend will be provided by our own home-grown band made up of parishioners from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cape Girardeau, St. Augustine Parish in Kelso, St. John Parish in Leopold, and maybe a few others! 3

4 FRIDAY, March 23 4:45 PM Workshops Round II 7:00 PM Packet Pick-up at WCC 5:45 PM Dinner Break (on your own) Conference Schedule (at a glance) 7:00 PM Pizza Party and Service Project 10:00 PM Travel to Hotel 12:00 AM Lights Out SATURDAY, March 24 8:30 AM Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant) 9:45 AM Welcome and Icebreaker 10:00 AM General Session: Sean Forrest 11:00 AM Small Group Activities 11:45 AM Workshops Round I 12:45 PM Lunch (provided) 1:45 PM General Session: Sr. Karolyn 2:45 PM Small Group Discussion 3:15PM Gen. Session: Sr. Karolyn / Sean 8:00 PM Trivia Challenge 9:30 PM Praise and Worship Music 10:00 PM Adoration 11:00 PM Travel to Hotel 12:00 AM Lights-out at Hotel SUNDAY, March 25 9:00 AM Prayer 9:30 AM General Session: Sr. Karolyn 10:30 AM Small Group Discussions 11:00 AM Youth Witness Talks 11:30 AM Mass (Bishop Rice, Celebrant) 1:00 PM Pick Up Box Lunches to Go (Schedule subject to change) 4:15 PM Small Group Discussions PLAN AHEAD NEW THIS YEAR LENTEN COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY On Friday evening as parishes are checking in and picking up packets, all are invited to stay for pizza, music, and a time to assemble Easter baskets of food and goodies for Samaritan Outreach in West Plains. Each DYC participant is invited to bring 1-2 canned or boxed food items. Each parish is requested to bring 5 medium size baskets, 2-3 dozen plastic eggs and wrapped candy to fill the eggs. The diocesan office will provide prayer cards and Easter ribbon to decorate baskets. This project will be a fun way to reach out and share the joy of Easter with those in need! ADOPT A SEMINARIAN Once again, we have invited our diocesan seminarians to join us for DYC! They will be hanging out at the Pizza Party Friday night and would be thrilled to join you and your youth group for dinner Saturday night. If your youth group would like to adopt a seminarian for Saturday night dinner, please contact the Office of Youth Ministry. First priority will be given to those youth groups that did NOT adopt a seminarian last year. 4

5 PLAN AHEAD Youth Witness Speakers How has God been working in your life in positive ways? How has your faith been strengthened? Our time together includes talks given by Youth Witnesses on the joyful, positive ways their faith makes a difference in their lives. A few youth, chosen from across the diocese, will have five minutes each to share. If you have a young person who would be interested, please contact Lynn or Katie as soon as possible, or at the conference. This is a great opportunity for youth to engage in peer ministry at our youth conference and share how Jesus is working in their lives! The Hanging Banner Bring your DYC attendees together before the conference to have a Banner Making Party! Construct a banner that will hang all weekend long in the Civic Center using cloth, glue, colors, a pole, stand, and rope. Your parish will convey your understanding of our conference theme, What is Your Passion? The dimensions of your banner should be no larger than 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Be sure to include your parish and city. We will carry the banners in the opening procession for Mass. If possible, it is preferred that banners be fireproofed in accordance with Civic Center regulations. You may want to contact your local fire department about this or ask a dry cleaner if they know who does it. Check into all this before making the banner, as it may affect your design. Remember that you need to bring the materials (pole, stand, rope, etc.) to ensure that your banner can stand on its own! IT S THE RETURN OF SATURDAY NIGHT We are going to have a team-based Trivia Contest at this year s DYC!!! Teams will consist of 10 youth and 1 adult (optional). We will also have teams for adults only. Parishes can register as many teams as they like. If you don t have a full team, you may combine with another parish (we can help you with this). Teams must be registered in advance. Each team will sit at their own table. Teams are encouraged to create a theme for their table, and to decorate/dress up according to that theme (Google images of Trivia Night themes - there are lots of ideas out there). Awards will be given to the most elaborate theme, so even if you are not good at trivia, you might still win an award! If you would like a seminarian to be the adult at one of your tables, we will assign those on a first-come-first served basis, based on when your registration material is received (one seminarian per parish). The seminarian can be the same one you adopted or a different one. If you have more than one parish team, or if all the seminarians are assigned, you can have one adult at your table if you like. Questions will be from various topics including pop culture, literature, religion, history, movies, TV shows, sports! There will be 10 questions per round and we will have as many rounds as we have time for. There will also be some bonus questions!! Those not playing trivia can either watch, or play other interactive games in the arena. 5

6 WORKSHOPS Please choose 2 workshops. Each workshop will be offered twice unless otherwise noted. 1) STEPPING UP and NOT OUT Practicing Your Faith Living as a Mature Catholic: The largest religious denomination is Catholics. The second largest is Non-Practicing Catholics. As the future of the Catholic Church, your faith journey will change after graduating from high school. Will you step up or step out? It may rest on one simple question How will you step up to start passionately living your faith now so you will be never want to step out on living your faith later? 2) Living Our Passion: A team of vibrant Catholics will be sharing how they live their passion (priest, seminarian, sister, single person, and a married couple). 3) Mass Confusion?: Mass can seem so repetitive at times! How can we make it more passionate? What really happens at Mass? What do the gestures and sacramentals mean? Where do the prayers and responses come from? Come take apart the Mass and see what it s all about! No more MASS Confusion 4) The Universal Church?: What do Catholics mean when we celebrate Jesus Christ as King of the Universe and yet so many on the planet are Buddhists, Hindus, or Muslims? How is Catholicism different from other world religions? How is Catholicism different from other Christian religions? How can we listen and learn from one another as we boldly go out and make disciples in a world of diversity? 5) Courageously Catholic: Apologetics answers to what and why we believe as Catholics. How do I explain my faith to non-believers or to people of different religions? Why do we believe the Catholic Church holds the truth? 6) Passionate Debate: How do we respond to hot topics in our culture transgender identity/multi-gender identity, legalization of gay marriage, stem cell research, abortion, suicide etc. 7) Catholic Casa: Filling our homes and daily routines with reminders of our faith help to keep us on the disciples path. Bishop Edward M. Rice will share practical ways we can arrange our homes and schedules so that we are passionately living our faith every day! 8) Diocesan Youth Advisory Council Meeting: Members of the DYAC will meet with Bishop Rice during the second round of workshops. 9) Helping Kids in Crisis - ADULTS ONLY: This workshop will include suggestions for assisting adolescents who are in crisis. How do we see the signs and offer assistance for addiction, abuse, self-harm, and more? The speaker will share resources from across the diocese and suggestions for self-care while working with youth in crisis, whether as a professional or within a family, all from a faith foundation. *The second workshop session will continue on this same topic, moving more in-depth. 6

7 Hotel / Address / Phone Baymont Inn (formerly Holiday Express): 1605 Imperial Drive (Behind Shoney's on Porter Wagoner/Bus. 63), Hampton Inn: 1064 London Lane, HOTELS Rate (per room, per night, plus tax) $99.00 up to 4 people in a room. $ up to 4 people in a room. Mention Catholic Youth Conference for rate. Breakfast Hot breakfast buffet Hot breakfast buffet Notes 100% non-smoking hotel. New hotel opened August % non-smoking hotel. Holiday Inn Express & Suites: (across from Walmart) 1301 Preacher Roe Blvd., Quality Inn: 220 US Hwy. 63, Ridge Crest Plaza: 2105 Porter Wagoner Blvd, $ up to 4 people in a room. Rates not available at time of publication rates were: $ bed / $ beds $63 Double / $54 Single 1-4 ppl per room Hot breakfast buffet New hotel opened Dec Hot breakfast buffet Restaurant on site. Not Free. New owners in April Renovating property. Super 8: 1210 Porter Wagoner Blvd, Jct of Bus Rte 63 and CC Hwy, Discounted rates are not available at time of publication. Standard rack rates are $73 for 2 beds. Continental breakfast Ask for Charlotte for rate. *Reservations must be made directly with each property and you must mention the Catholic Youth Conference for the hotels offering a discount. Register early and try to put four people in each room so that there will be enough space for everyone. In most cases, the hotel will ask for a 6 p.m. arrival time, or they will need a deposit to hold the rooms. Be prepared to secure your hotel rooms with a credit card and bring a tax-exempt letter from your parish. There is a local occupancy tax in West Plains, from which we are not exempt, but the letter may keep you from paying the other taxes on rooms. Please remember that youth and adults may not share the same room. HOTEL HALL MONITORS: Unless you have outside-facing rooms, your parish needs to bring at least one adult NOT ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE to do hall duty each night you are in your hotel, checking the halls and securing rooms from one hour prior to lights out until 4 a.m. Their job is to make sure youth are where they are supposed to be and that they are quiet at lights out time. Serious infractions are to be reported to Lynn or Katie, and should include the youth s name and parish information. Those with hall duty have the responsibility to make sure parish groups (and other guests) have a good night in the hotels. Those in outside-facing rooms will still be responsible to ensure youth stay in their rooms through the night. If your hall monitor is not attending the conference, you do not need to register or pay for him or her. If, however, they are doing double duty as a chaperone and hall monitor (which we do not recommend), you will need to register and pay for him or her. Hall monitors must be in compliance with diocesan Safe Environment policies. Please include his or her name on the registration form, noting his or her role as hall monitor. DRESS CODE must follow diocese guidelines for this conference (at least credit card wide straps or shoulders covered, no low cut tops or dresses, stomachs covered and dress and shorts to be to mid thigh past finger-tips). 7

8 PLANNING & REGISTRATION CHECKLIST Promote the event to all high school youth (personally ask youth, hang posters, put in your bulletin, post through social media). Be sure to invite those who don t attend other events. Distribute the promo flier (first page) workshop descriptions and registration forms to all high school youth. Book and confirm hotel rooms for your group early. Make sure all registration, permission, and Code of Conduct forms are completed and signed. Keep a copy of all forms for your files. Fundraise as necessary. Meet the chaperone to youth ratio (1 adult per 6 youth). Minimum of 2 adults per group. All adults 18 years of age and older (who are not in high school) must be compliant with the diocesan Safe Environment policies. Get all registration forms and fees postmarked & in the mail by Friday, MARCH 2nd. This will ensure your group s spot at the 2017 Diocesan Youth Conference and avoid late fees. Don t delay, register today! (You can also hand-deliver to us on Monday, March 5th.) Checks should be made payable to Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Full payment is due March 2nd. FORMS AND FEES TO TURN IN: $60 per person, registration fee if postmarked by March 2nd $70 late registration fee if postmarked after March 2nd (Registrations made after March 2nd are not guaranteed to receive a t-shirt.) Parish Registration Form (make copies as needed). This form is available in electronic form. We prefer that you complete it and to knewton@dioscg.org in addition to mailing it with your other papers. One DYC Consent Form, Liability Waiver & Multi-Media Release form for each youth participant One Adult Guidelines, Liability & Waiver form each adult chaperones (21 and over) Do not send any other forms. Substitutions must be called into the office by Friday, March 9th. The refund policy is as follows: Full refunds will be given on registrations if requested by March 9th. A partial refund of $15.00 will be given if requested by March 12th. No refunds will be given if requested after the 12th or for acts of God (like blizzards, tornadoes, etc.) that could prevent any or all of the event from taking place. Have a pre-conference meeting with participants and parents. Go over all the information with parents and allow them to ask questions. (This is a good opportunity for your group to make the parish banner.). Prepare a banner with your group. Plan your Trivia Table(s) Theme. Adopt a seminarian. Gather your Easter basket items for our Friday night service opportunity. Invite youth witness speakers. Plan for adequate transportation. Coordinate meal plans for your group. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks for your group at the hotel. 8

9 DIOCESE OF SPRINGFIELD-CAPE GIRARDEAU OFFICE OF YOUTH MINISTRY DYC Consent Form, Liability Waiver & Multi-Media Release (The diocese will take responsible care to see that the following information will be held in confidence.) Parish Name Parish City Participant First Name Initial Last Name Participant s Address: City, State Zip Participant Cell Phone # Participant Grade in School: Participant Gender: Male Female Mother/Guardian s First Name Home Phone Father/Guardian s First Name Home Phone Last Name Cell Phone Last Name Cell Phone Family Doctor Phone Family Health Plan Carrier Policy # Emergency Contact Person Phone # Attendee is taking medication at present: YES Medication Dosage Medication Dosage NO Frequency Frequency Specific Medical Information Date of last tetanus immunization *Allergic reactions (medicines, food, plants, insects, etc.) *Does the child have a medically prescribed diet? *Any physical limitations? *Has child been recently exposed to any contagious diseases or condition? If yes, date and disease condition: *You should be aware of these special medical conditions of my/our child I/we (parent/guardian) parent of above named participant grant permission for my/our child to participate in the 2018 Diocesan Youth Conference scheduled for March 23-24, This activity will take place under the guidance and direction of diocesan employees and/or volunteers. As parent(s)/ guardian, I/we remain legally responsible for any personal actions taken by the above named minor ( participant ). Further, I/we give my/our permission for photographs/video of my/our child to be used for diocesan communications and promotional programs. I understand that any photographs/videos will be used only in a legal manner and that at no time will my child or I be depicted in any unethical manner. I/we agree, on behalf of myself/ourselves, my/our child named herein, my/our and my/our child s heirs, successors and assigns, to hold harmless and defend the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, its officers, directors, 9 Please complete both sides of this form.

10 employees and agents, chaperones, and representatives associated with the event, from any claim arising from or in connection with my/our child attending the event, from any claim arising from or in connection with any illness or injury (including death) or in connection with the cost of medical treatment as a result of an illness or injury, even if the cause of damages or injury is alleged to be the fault of or caused by the negligence of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, its officers, directors, employees and agents, chaperones, and representatives associated with he event. I agree to compensate the Diocese, its officers, directors, employees, agents and chaperones or representatives associated with the event for reasonable attorney s fees and expenses which they may incur in any action brought against them as a result of such injury or damage, unless such a claim arises from the negligence of the Diocese. In the event of an emergency, I/we hereby give permission to transport my/our child to a hospital for treatment by the hospital or doctor. I wish to be advised prior to any further treatment by the hospital or doctor. Of the following statements pertaining to medical matters, sign ONLY that which applies: OR No medication of any type, whether prescription or non-prescription, may be administered to my/our child unless the situation is life threatening and emergency treatment is required. Signature(s) I/we hereby grant permission for non-prescription medication (such as Tylenol, throat lozenges, cough syrup) to be given to my/our child, if deemed advisable. Signature(s) Date Date Code of Behavior I, (name of participant), hereby agree to abide by the expected Code of Behavior required of me when present at this event. I will cooperate fully with any chaperones or leaders of this event and obey local laws and ordinances, in addition to any special rules given to me. I understand that failure to comply with this Code may result in me having to leave the program. Participant signature I/we agree that my/our child shall abide by all rules and regulations as established by the Office of Youth Ministry for this event. I/we agree that if my/our child fails to abide by the code of behavior my/our child may be sent home immediately at my/our expense. I/we warrant that the information herein (on both pages of this waiver) is correct to the best of my/our knowledge. I/we further give my/our permission for health officials to release medical information on my/our son/daughter to the diocesan group leader. I/we fully understand and sign this Parental/Guardian Consent Form and Liability Waiver knowingly, freely and willingly. (Your signature(s) required.) Date Parent(s)/Guardian signature(s) Date ======================================================================================= Participant First Name Last Name Participant T-Shirt Size Workshop Preferences (List 2): Please complete both sides of this form. 10

11 ADULT GUIDELINES, LIABILITY & WAIVER FORM Name Home Address, City & State Home Phone Business Phone EMERGENCY CONTACT: Name Cell Phone Home Phone Business Phone ALTERNATE EMERGENCY CONTACT: Name Cell Phone Home Phone Business Phone You should be aware of the following medical conditions I am taking the following medications I understand that as a chaperone, I set an example for the young people who participate in the Youth Conference and that the following is expected and required of me as a chaperone: All adult chaperones are responsible for helping to enforce the conference code of behavior and should use it as a guide for their own behavior. Adults will have different colored nametags from the youth. Adult chaperones must be at least 21 years old. Parish adult chaperones are expected to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while responsible for the youth, during travel to and from the event, as well as during the event. The possession or use of illegal drugs by any individual will not be tolerated. A conference participant may possess no weapon of any kind. The following are suggestions and guidelines for your role as a chaperone for this event: The ratio for adult chaperones to youth is one adult for every six youth, with a minimum of 2 adults. Adults, as well as youth, are expected to attend all conference activities. During all conference activities, and especially other social activities, adult chaperones should be available in the building where the activity takes place to supervise all youth. Leaders may choose to assign chaperones to particular youth during the conference, who will be responsible for their behavior. Adult chaperones should review the code of behavior with young people, and also help orient them to the Civic Center layout so they can find workshops and activities. Adult chaperones are responsible for enforcing the conference curfew and for keeping noise to a minimum in the hotels. Adult chaperones or group leaders do not have the authority to extend curfew and should work in cooperation with the chaperones assigned to the hotel halls and corridors. Each parish will provide one adult for hall duty each night you are in the hotel, from one hour prior to lights out until 4 a.m. These members of hall security may question youth present, especially after curfew, in hotel corridors, as well as the source of noise in rooms being used by conference participants (adults or youth). These people should not be attending the conference as chaperones. If an adult chaperone must go into a sleeping room with youth, it is required that a second adult chaperone (of the same sex as the youth) be present with them. Adults are asked not to go anywhere during the conference where the youth may not go with them (i.e. bars, etc.). I, as an adult attending the Conference, agree to abide by these guidelines and will hold the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau harmless from any failure to follow these procedures and for any other matter arising out of or in connection with the Youth Conference. Adult Chaperone/Leader Date Adult T-Shirt Size Workshop Preferences (List 3): Safe Environment Status for Adults: Attended Virtus Session Code of Conduct on file Current Background Check on file. For policy and forms, visit or call the Catholic Center. 11

12 CODE OF BEHAVIOR FOR ALL YOUTH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS Welcome to the Diocesan Youth Conference! Please offer your appreciation to the people of West Plains for the welcome they offer us. Remember you are representing your parish and the Catholic Church here this weekend. We expect you to do that well by respecting the people and surroundings you encounter, especially at the hotels. We are confident you will display the maturity, responsible leadership, and character that have become the trademark qualities of Catholic youth. Thank you! In General: Group leaders are responsible for the actions of the members of their group. Each parish accepts full responsibility for any damage or theft caused by members of their group while attending the conference. Adult chaperones in each group are to enforce the Code of Behavior (the Code) and to set an example for all youth. Some Rules: 1. Treat your hotel and the Civic Center as if they were your own home. Do not throw anything from windows or balconies, deface any property, or steal anything. Such actions could not only cause harm, but they also could result in your being sent home immediately and your group being barred from the hotel in future years. 2. Participants must attend all conference activities and stay in the Civic Center at all times. Name badges must be worn at all times in order to gain admission to conference events. 3. Socializing prior to curfew should be done in the public areas of the hotel. Remember to keep noise levels down in the sleeping areas, especially later in the evenings. This guarantees the right to privacy and quiet time for fellow conference attendees and other guests in the hotels. All participants must be in their hotel rooms by curfew (and stay in their rooms) on each night of the conference. You should never be in a hotel room that is not yours, unless there is an adult present. 4. Participants who are of legal drinking age (21) are expected to be leaders and examples to younger attendees. All parish adult chaperones are asked to refrain from drinking while they are responsible for youth on the way to and from, as well as during, the conference. The purchase, possession, or consumption of beer, wine, or other alcoholic beverages by minors and the possession or use of illegal drugs by any individual will not be tolerated. Failure to comply with these rules will mean immediate dismissal from the conference. 5. Sleeping room changes are to be made by the group leader only. Youth cannot change rooms without prior permission of their group leader. 6. All sessions of the conference will start on time. Some sessions require that the doors be kept closed for all or part of the session. To prevent being excluded from any session, be on time. When exiting workshops, please keep noise to a minimum so that other workshops still in session will not be disturbed. Please keep in mind that the Civic Center is a smoke-free building. 7. Youth and adult participants must not be in possession of any kind of weapon at any time. Failure to comply with this rule will mean dismissal from the conference. All youth and adult participants are expected to read and know this Code of Behavior and abide by it at all times during the conference, before it begins on Friday, and on the way home Sunday. Participants who violate the Code may be sent home, barred from attending future conferences, or face other consequences. 12