It is highly recommended and suggested that you review the privacy policies and statements of any website you choose to use or frequent as a means to better understand the way in which other websites garner, make use of and share information collected.

Achilles International may collect and make use of personal information to assist in the operation of our website and to ensure delivery of the services you need and request. At times, we may find it necessary to use personally identifiable information as a means to keep you informed of other possible events that may be available to you from www.achillesinternational.org.

Achilles International may also be in contact with you with regards to:

Completing applications

Marathon

Race information

Events

Volunteer Opportunity

Your request for a newsletter

Taking part in one of Achilles’ events

Achilles International does not now, nor will in the future, sell, rent, or lease any of our member or donor lists and or names to any third parties.

Achilles International may disclose your personal information, without prior notice to you, only if required to do so in accordance with applicable laws and/or in good faith belief that such action is deemed necessary or as required in an effort to:

Remain in conformance with any decrees, laws and/or statuses or in an effort to comply with any process which may be served upon Achilles International and/or our website.

Maintain, safeguard and/or preserve all rights and/or property of Achilles International: and

Perform under demanding conditions in an effort to safeguard the personal safety of users of www.achillesinternational.org and/or the general public.

Achilles International does not knowingly collect personal identifiable information from children under the age of thirteen (13) without parental consent. If it is determined that such information has been inadvertently collected on anyone under the age of thirteen (13), we shall immediately take such necessary steps to ensure that such information is deleted from our systems database.

Anyone under the age of thirteen (13) must seek and obtain parent or guardian permission to use this website.

All users and/or visitors to our website have the option to discontinue receiving communication from us and/or reserve the right to discontinue receiving communications by way of email or newsletters. To discontinue or unsubscribe to our website please send an email that you wish to unsubscribe to info@achillesinternational.org. If you wish to unsubscribe or opt-out from any third party websites, you must go to that specific website to unsubscribe and/or opt-out.

Our website does contain links to other websites. Achilles International does not claim nor accept responsibility for any privacy policies, practices and/or procedures of other websites. Therefore, we encourage all users and visitors to be aware when they leave our website and to read the privacy statements of each and every website that collects personally identifiable information. The aforementioned Privacy Policy Agreement applies only and solely to the information collected by our website.

The donation link attached to Achilles International webpage for donations is : https://www.nycharities.org/give/donate.aspx?cc=1946

This linked page is from https://www.nycharities.org which collects online donations for Achilles International.

https://www.nycharities.org/Resources/PrivacyPolicy.aspx

Achilles International shall endeavor and shall take every precaution to maintain adequate physical, procedural and technical security with respect to our offices and information storage facilities so as to prevent any loss, misuse, unauthorized access, disclosure or modification of the user’s personal information under our control.

Achilles International reserves the right to update and/or change the terms of our privacy policy, and as such we will post change to our website homepage at www.achillesinternational.org, so that our users and/or visitors are always aware of the type of information we collect, how it will be used, and under what circumstances, if any, we may disclose such information. If at any point in time Achilles International decides to make use of any personally identifiable information on file, in a manner vastly different from that which was stated when this information was initially collected, the user or users shall be promptly notified by email. Users at that time shall have the option as to whether or not to permit the use of their information in this separate manner.

Through the use of this website, you are hereby accepting the terms and conditions stipulated within the Privacy Policy Agreement. If you are not in agreement with our terms and conditions, then you should refrain from further use of our sites. In addition, your continued use of our website following the posting of any updates or changes to our terms and conditions shall mean that you are in agreement and acceptance of such changes.

ACHILLES KIDS is a volunteer driven organization and without the efforts of hundreds and hundreds of volunteers, it would not be able to provide premier running programs that enrich the lives of our children with disabilities. In order to ensure the safety and security of all our Achilles Kids members as well as our volunteers, ACHILLES KIDS requires all volunteers to:

• Complete, eSign, and submit a Volunteer Application each year.

• Act within the scope of ACHILLES KIDS Policies, Procedures and Guidelines.

Compliance with these volunteer requirements provides volunteers the knowledge and skills to maintain a safe, fun, family-friendly running program.

All ACHILLES KIDS volunteers who sign the Volunteer Application Form consent to reference checking in order to protect ACHILLES KIDS participants.

• Any person wishing to volunteer in ACHILLES KIDS must complete an ACHILLES KIDS Volunteer Application Form in ACHILLES KIDS’s official member registration system each year. The application form includes a request for 3 references, driver’s license number, and questions pertaining to any criminal convictions. All requested information must be provided by the applicant.

• If a conviction is disclosed or discovered, ACHILLES KIDS must make a decision on whether or not the applicant may be used based on the following guidelines:

• Any application form that does not contain honest answers or that misrepresents the number, type or gravity of any such conviction(s) will not be approved irrespective of the nature of the offense or the time that has transpired since the conviction.

• Any individual on probation or required to complete a court ordered rehabilitation or other such program following a conviction for a crime appearing on the Table of Convictions will not be considered to serve as a volunteer until all terms and conditions established by the court have been satisfied and proof of completion submitted to ACHILLES KIDS.

• Any person convicted of a crime against or otherwise involving a minor at any time in the past will not be approved to be a volunteer.

• Most felony convictions will result in a negative determination. Evidence of multiple convictions, either felony or misdemeanor, are likely to also result in a negative determination. Where a conviction is remote in time or where the applicant’s conduct since the conviction(s) indicates rehabilitation or lack of risk to the membership and the program, some leeway may be provided, but only at the discretion of and in coordination with the President of Achilles International and Director of Achilles Kids.

• Persons convicted of a crime of violence or other serious crime against a person within the prior 20 years will be disqualified from any volunteer position.

• Persons convicted of sex offenses will be disqualified from volunteering in ACHILLES KIDS.

• Persons convicted of a serious substance abuse crime within the past 10 years will be disqualified from any volunteer position.

• Persons convicted of less serious crimes of violence or substance abuse will be disqualified from any volunteer position or any position that leads children’s activities.

• In certain limited instances, ACHILLES KIDS will disqualify volunteers who have been arrested for a crime, even if the arrest later results in no charges being filed. While ACHILLES KIDS casts no judgment about any of the allegations and/or accusations in these instances, ACHILLES KIDS’s overriding and compelling interest is to provide a safe, secure and fun environment for children.

• DUI: Persons convicted of driving while under the influence or other traffic/conduct related crimes within the preceding 3 years will be disqualified from volunteering.

• If any discretion is exercised in the application of this policy, it must be exercised in a uniform manner, so that substantially similar convictions and circumstances result in substantially similar treatment of potential volunteers.

One of the most important protection methods is implementing the recommended supervision protocols. ACHILLES KIDS recommends:

• A parent or guardian MUST be on site at all times.

• Two volunteers assigned to each child whenever possible.

• In no instance will a new volunteer be paired alone with any child.

• After completing the workout, children will be reunited with their parent and checked out by the coach.

Additional Protocols

Adult contact and conversation with minors must always be transparent, within sight of others, developmentally appropriate and based on the need of the child.

Any inappropriate physical contact, time alone with a child, comments, favoritism, or unapproved activities, should be brought to the attention of Achilles Kids coach or director: 212.354.0300.

In order to prevent misunderstandings, physical contact with children should be:

• In response to the need of the child only.

• With the child’s permission.

• Respectful of any resistance or hesitation.

• Careful to avoid private parts.

• In the open; not in private.

• Brief and limited in duration.

• Age and developmentally appropriate.

Privacy of children in situations such as toileting or changing clothes must be respected. When it is necessary to supervise children in these situations, at least two adults should be present and intrude only to the extent that the health and safety of the children require it.

When hugging is appropriate, hug from the side over the shoulders, not from the front.

Do not use corporal punishment in any form—spanking, slapping, hitting, etc.

It is the adult’s responsibility to set and respect boundaries. When a child attempts to involve an adult in inappropriate behavior, the adult must correct the behavior and decline any overture. Adults who work with children should take precautions to protect kids from harm and also to protect themselves from misunderstandings or accusations.

Achilles Kids maintains standard guidelines for dealing with adverse weather conditions. Workouts will be canceled and communicated to everyone no later than 7:30 am on the morning of a workout for any adverse weather condition – extreme heat or cold, thunderstorms, snow or icy conditions. Workouts will be canceled in the event:

· Temperature above 90 or below 25

· Imminent threat of Thunderstorm during scheduled workout time

· Snow or icy conditions

Help create an environment that can enrich children’s lives:

• Running should develop the whole child.

• Treat children as individuals and in an age appropriate manner.

• Help develop positive feelings of self-worth.

• Provide honest, positive encouragement.

Promote the benefits of running because:

• Contributes to physical well-being and physical fitness.

• Builds confidence and self-esteem.

• Promotes team spirit

• Fosters cooperation.

• Encourages friendships.

While performing volunteer duties, remember the reasons kids participate in workouts:

• To have fun!

• To improve skills and to learn new skills.

• To be with friends and make new friends.

• For the excitement of competition.

• To enjoy the success and recognition associated with sport.

Model and promote good sportsmanship:

• Demonstrate that winning is not the most important thing in running; that character development is just as important.

• Model how to win and lose graciously.

• Stress working hard to win (rather than winning itself).

• Instill respect for fellow Achilles Kids members.

• Encourage good behavior at all workouts and events. Harsh language or bullying will not be tolerated.

Foster a “safe” learning environment:

• Show acceptance, react positively to any mistakes and give everyone encouragement.

• Encourage self-confidence and self-esteem in athletes and volunteers and model appropriate interactions with others.

• Emphasize the importance of enjoying practice and races.

• Coaches should set achievable goals at workouts and races.

Whether it’s on the internet or at a workout, it is important to protect the identity of children from individuals who may seek to do them harm. For these reasons, Achilles Kids does NOT use name tags for children at public outdoor workouts and races. Posting or divulging the names of children, their disability, or family status, is strictly forbidden. All information about our program participants must be kept strictly confidential.

The ACHILLES KIDS Application Form includes a general photo release for non-commercial purposes. However, NO photos of Achilles Kids members will be posted online without the express permission of the parent or legal guardian.

Posting photos and/or tagging Achilles Kids members on any social media is STRICTLY forbidden without express permission from the parent and Achilles Kids. Photos cannot be shared in any manner with others.

ACHILLES KIDS requires all adults (staff, volunteers and other parents), to maintain transparency in their communications with children while protecting children’s identity and privacy. It is the responsibility of adults to maintain appropriate boundaries.

All communications regarding ACHILLES KIDS activities and participation in the program must be directed to parents and guardians including voice messages, emails and text messages. It is up to a child’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to forward necessary communications to their children.

ACHILLES KIDS’s Child and Volunteer Protection policies are designed to protect children from physical or emotional harm. These same policies protect volunteers by preventing opportunities for misunderstandings and false accusations.

Injuries and abuses can occur in all youth sports including Achilles Kids events. No single policy can ensure complete safety. But the combination of policies, volunteer screening, education and awareness can minimize the risk that abuses and injuries occur during Achilles Kids events.

One of the keys to preventing abuse is recognition and awareness. And while it may be an uncomfortable subject, it is important to understand the types of abuses and abusive situations so that they can be prevented.

Achilles, psychologists, legislators and educators around the country now recognize five types of abuse:

• Emotional Abuse: the most common; attacking the emotional wellbeing and stability of an individual. At Achilles, emotionally abusive behaviors including making fun of the size, inability or appearance of a participant in front of others; derogatory comments; racial, gender or ethnic slurs; threats or bullying by other participants and excessive, demeaning verbal assaults by parents are not allowed.

• Physical Abuse: the most obvious; harming the physical well-being of an individual. Achilles also prohibits punishing participants by making them run laps or denying them water, participant bullying or fighting, and any form of corporal punishment.

• Neglect Abuse: not always easy to identify; harming an individual by abandoning, ignoring or rejecting basic needs.

• Sexual Abuse: frequently hidden; harming an individual through inappropriate sexual contact, lewd behavior, etc. Making lewd comments in front of participants or any type of inappropriate touching can be forms of sexual abuse and must be prevented between minors as well.

• Ethical Abuse: the newest category; harming an individual by convincing him or her to do an act that is against his or her physical, moral or ethical interests.

The Safe Sport Act of 2017 dictates that Achilles is a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse. Mandated reporting is generally required when a child is:

● physically injured by other than accidental means, subjected to willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment, or sexually abused or exploited;

● neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision.

Achilles asks any adult to file a good faith report with the appropriate reporting agency whenever child abuse is suspected.

Remember, reporting is a means of helping. Screening who may volunteer with Achilles is the first step in preventing abuse. Training volunteers to recognize abuse and abusive behavior so that it can be reported and stopped is another step. Implementing policies and guidelines for preventing the opportunity for abuse to occur is just as important.

Achilles International, (www.achillesinternational.org) is committed to keeping any and all personal information collected of those individuals that visit our website and make use of our online facilities and services accurate, confidential, secure and private.

We will not sell, share or trade our donors' names or personal information with any other entity, nor send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations.

This policy applies to all information received by Achilles International, both online and offline, on any Platform ("Platform", includes the Achilles International website and mobile applications), as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.

The donation link attached to Achilles International webpage for donations is: https://www.nycharities.org/give/donate.aspx?cc=1946

https://www.nycharities.org/Resources/PrivacyPolicy.aspx

To the extent any donations are processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation