Section 1 | Counselor and Volunteer Conduct Contract

Violation of the following code of conduct may result in penalties up to and including the dismissal from the program and removal from Southeastern Louisiana University’s (hereafter “the University”) campus by law enforcement. Any Counselor or volunteer so dismissed will receive no recognition or credit for having served during the year in question and will be ineligible to receive any recommendation, referral, or recognition based on prior service to the program without consent of LABS Program Staff (as laid out in internal policies) or the Chair of the American Legion’s Louisiana Boys State Commission (hereafter “Commission Chair”). These rules are in effect throughout the entire program, including Counselor School and through final departure from campus after the end of the annual program session.

  1. Counselors are required to be familiar with and follow all policies and procedures as outlined in the Counselor Handbook or in other sources as distributed by the Program Staff. Any other volunteers are required to be familiar with and follow all policies and procedures as provided or directed by the Program Staff or the Commission Chair.
  2. All Counselors and volunteers are required to be active participants in all aspects of the LABS program and to cooperate with all Program Staff, American Legion and University personnel as requested. Active participation includes remaining fully participatory as expected and instructed throughout any scheduled activities. As part of program use of online platforms and other electronic software, participation includes submission of all required electronic forms and reports and may include in some settings that web-enabled cameras to be turned on with the Counselor or volunteer visible to other participants.
    1. Counselors are required to be present for the program’s duration, including Counselor School and cleanup and packing activities after citizens leave. Counselors may not depart from the program until completing check-out with a Program Staff member and shall only arrive late or depart early with written permission from the Program Staff or the Commission Chair. Any other volunteers must follow check-in and check-out procedures as outlined or instructed by Program Staff or the Commission Chair.
    2. Counselors are required to remain on the University campus throughout the entirety of the program. Any request to leave campus must be approved by the Program Staff or the Commission Chair or their American Legion designee. Any other volunteer must follow program policies and instructions on availability as provided or directed by the Program Staff or the Commission Chair.
    3. In the case that any part of the program schedules of Louisiana Boys State and Louisiana Girls State overlap, counselors and volunteers are not to be in any area, dorms, meetings, etc. of Louisiana Girls State during the duration of the program. Any exception to this must be approved by a member of the Program Staff or the Commission Chair.
  3. Disrespect, harassment, or repeated lack of cooperation with Program Staff, Counselors and volunteers, American Legion staff, or Southeastern Louisiana University staff, faculty, or students will not be tolerated.
    1. Intentional or repeated use of abusive language or profanity will not be allowed as any part of the program. This includes but is not limited to songs, chants, banners, speeches, presentations, instructional sessions, etc.
    2. In line with national American Legion and LABS policies and adhering to those of the host institution, Southern Louisiana University, no LABS volunteer participant – Counselor, Staff, or other – will harass or disrespect another Boys State Citizen; American Legion, staff, or counselor volunteer; SLU student or staff; or program visitor because of their personal or political beliefs, race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, political affiliation, citizenship, or retirement status, or any other basis prescribed under Louisiana or Federal law.
    3. Sexual harassment of or by any individual, associated with LABS or not, and in any form is prohibited, will result in removal for the program, and may be referred to local legal authorities as warranted.
  4. The possession, provision or distribution, use, or consumption of controlled, illegal, intoxicating, mind-altering, or otherwise regulated substances including alcohol, tobacco, and other products is strictly governed by Louisiana law and SLU campus policy and violations of this policy may also be reported to appropriate authorities as required under Southeastern Louisiana University’s tobacco free and alcohol policies.
    1. The use of any illegal drugs or the use of controlled substances outside of doctor’s orders and verifiable prescription at any point during program participation is prohibited.
    2. The use of alcohol during assigned duties (which includes any point in time when Citizens are on campus) or by anyone underage at any time is prohibited. Possession or consumption of alcohol outside of designated residential areas or unless during University approved events is prohibited by SLU.
    3. The use of any tobacco or vaping product during assigned duties or within the presence or sight of Citizens is prohibited. The University is a tobacco free campus.
  5. Destruction of, damage to, or vandalism of Boys State’s or Southeastern Louisiana University’s physical property – intentional or unintentional – will require restitution to the American Legion and/or host institution, as appropriate, and may result in dismissal from the program or prosecution as warranted.
    1. Costs or fees resulting from damage to University property, lost keys, cleaning, or otherwise will be charged on a per person basis to those deemed responsible for the cause and at a rate assessed by SLU.
    2. Deliberate tampering with online platforms, hardware, software, electronic communications, or usage of such in manners not prescribed by the Program Staff or which interfere with the conduct of the program or business of the host institution may result in dismissal from the program, requirements for restitution if damages are incurred, and/or referral to appropriate authorities as warranted.
  6. In addition to policies, guidelines, and expectations set out by the American Legion and the Louisiana Boys State program, all program participants are subject to behavior and reporting guidelines as defined by the host institution, Southeastern Louisiana University. Violation of SLU conduct standards and regulations may result in penalties as defined by the institution and may as a result also lead to dismissal from the program.
    1. Program participants are responsible for the condition of any housing facilities assigned to them for the duration of and resulting from their stay on campus and are subject to all University policies regarding housing access, behavior, and hours of operation. Participants are responsible for providing their own linens and personal hygiene items.

Section 2 | Background Check, Sexual Assault and Misconduct (SAM) Training, and Reporting Policies

In line with the American Legion’s national youth programs risk management policies, Louisiana Boys State (LABS) requires all program staff, counselors, and volunteers to complete a third-party background check and sexual abuse and misconduct (SAM) awareness training through the American Legion’s national commercial vendor, Protect Youth Sports.

For the purposes of this policy:

  1. Program Staff are those individuals tasked by the Boys State Commission and/or Commission Chair to oversee the day-to-day program implementation and annual planning of the LABS program.
  2. Counselors is a broad term covering all individuals who have defined roles within the annual LABS program structure and implementation efforts as selected, organized, trained, and overseen by the Program Staff.
  3. Volunteers are all other individuals who assist with the operation and implementation of the program on site from the time that Program Staff and Counselors arrive to begin program setup through final Program Staff and Counselor departure from the program. Volunteers requiring background checks are those individuals who a) stay overnight on the University campus, b) participate in activities spread over multiple days at the program, or c) are engaged in direct participant contact and/or program activities outside of program arrival and registration or program checkout and departure.
  4. Additional individuals not covered by previously defined categories may be defined, designated, and held to these policies at the discretion of the Louisiana Boys State Commission Chair. In such case, these individuals must meet all criteria outlined in this policy in order to interact or be involved with any aspect of the Program.

Volunteers under the age of 18 on the date that Program Staff and Counselors are first assigned to report to the University campus for a given year’s program must also receive parent/guardian consent as part of the background check process. Without parental/guardian consent, a background check will not be performed, nor SAM training be assigned to the volunteer, and they will be unable to participate as part of the Louisiana Boys State volunteer pool.

Failure to either satisfactorily pass a background check or complete SAM training will result in automatic revocation of the invitation to attend or volunteer with Louisiana Boys State.

Following the American Legion’s guidance for youth programs, a record or disclosure from an application or background check containing one or more of any of the following disqualifying offenses will lead to a determination of “reject” indicating that individual is prohibited to serve as a volunteer in any capacity with the program and on the University campus:

  1. Conviction of a felony
  2. Conviction of a crime involving a minor, regardless of the offense
  3. Conviction of a crime involving force or threat of force against a person
  4. Conviction of a crime in which sexual behavior is an element, including “victimless” crimes of a sexual nature (including pornography)
  5. Conviction of a crime involving controlled substances (not paraphernalia or alcohol)
  6. Conviction of a crime involving cruelty to animals
  7. Any sex offender registrant
  8. Refusal to undergo background screening

Once an individual has submitted for a background check and it has been ordered through Protect Youth Sports, they will also be assigned SAM training, accessed through an emailed direct link. All program staff, counselors, and volunteers must satisfactorily complete SAM training prior to arrival on campus. A score of 80% or higher is defined as satisfactory. If an individual does not score satisfactorily, they may request one (1) retest attempt.

As defined in the Louisiana Children’s Code, all LABS program volunteers are “organizational or youth activity providers” who are defined as “administrators, employees, or volunteers of any day camp, summer camp, […] or any other organization that provides organized activities for children.” All program volunteers are therefore held to mandatory reporting guidelines related to abuse, sexual misconduct, or other prohibited actions as defined under Louisiana or federal law (La. Ch.C. art. 603:17).

1 The American Legion. (2020). Risk Management Guidebook for the Enhanced Protection of Children & Youth National Youth Programs.

Section 3 | Program and University Anti-Hazing Policy

The Louisiana Department of the American Legion and LABS require that all participants acknowledge, understand, and adhere to its anti-hazing policies and to those of the University.

In accordance with Louisiana law (RS 17:1801) and in line with Southeastern Louisiana University’s policies for affiliated student groups, hazing or abuse – physical or virtual – is unacceptable and may be referred to local law enforcement as warranted. Hazing is defined as: any action taken or situation created intentionally or unintentionally – with or without consent – that endangers a student or creates risk of injury, produces mental or physical harm, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule – whether on or off campus.