Guidelines for all members

ESAR is a youth organization. It was created in 1956 by some great men who were role models and mentors to many young men and women. They believed that youth need to be challenged and if you challenge them they would respond. They believed and encouraged and fought for an idea against many with who didn’t believe you could trust kids with such a great responsibility as search and rescue. Because of these men who did believe in the concept, the youth delivered, and ESAR was developed and molded into what it is today. It continues to flourish and grow as a result of the efforts of many great people who have taken the time to become a volunteer in the ESAR community.

ESAR is an organization for youth to learn, grow, develop life skills and have fun. This is a social event for youth and it should be a fun experience. When it stops being fun, kids will find other activities.

The following are guidelines that all members should follow for and strive for in all ESAR activities:

· Continue to challenge our members with training that is realistic, practical and increasingly demanding.

· Recognize and reward accomplishment when it occurs.

· Expect mistakes as people learn and mature and don’t be harsh with criticism.

· Advise and guide, rather than direct and order to gain compliance.

· Don’t sweat the little stuff, focus on the positive not the negative.

· Lead by example. All leaders and advisors need to meet ESAR standards if you expect to be respected.

· Respect is earned and must be given to be received.

· Give youth more opportunity to lead and teach and in turn grow and mature.

· Adults should view their roles as advisory in nature.

· Leadership training is a priority.

· Training people how to teach enhances the quality of training.

· Appreciate the time volunteers give to the organization

· People are busy and have limited time to devote to ESAR as volunteers and we must compete for their time.

Do's and Don'ts

Do's:

· Know why you are joining ESAR and taking training. To provide a community service, for fun, you enjoy a challenge?

· Know and be aware of the mission priority. Search is an emergency!

· Notify parents or family where you are going to be at all times so if there is a mission, you can be notified.

· Maintain at least a 2.0 grade average. Schoolwork comes first.

· Have an agreement with your parents. If you maintain your grades at a 2.0 grade average, it’s your decision whether you go or not on a mission.

· Keep your pack and gear in a ready condition at all times. You should strive for a 15 minute out the door response time.

· Respond when you can and for whatever you can. Your help is always appreciated.

· Notify you callout director of any change in your availability status or contact information.

· Memorize your DEM number. It is required on all missions.

· Sign in upon arrival at rendezvous or at base camp.

· Ask for transportation if you need it to go on a mission.

· Attend all training and learn the skills. Listen to your instructors and participate in class discussions.

· Be respectful of other SAR units and their members.

· Listen to your team leader regardless of their age. Team Leaders have proven experience in the field.

· Always respond with full 48 hour packs on all missions.

Don'ts:

· Smoke on missions, in base or in the field.

· Drink alcohol on any mission. It is not allowed from the time you leave home until your return home.

· Show excessive affection between significant other. Missions are critical, keep social life separate.

· Give opinions regarding missions to news media. Talk all you want regarding who you are and your unit. Refer them to the Incident Commander for mission statistics.

· Carry firearms or other dangerous weapons. Only Law Enforcement officers may carry weapons on a mission.

· Make negative comments about other SAR units. This creates poor relationships in the SAR community.

· Use profanity or foul language. You will be in the public eye and this is a youth organization with affiliation to the Boy Scouts of America and subject to its rules and laws.