The Norms

For Op Snowball to work effectively teen participants need to feel safe. To feel safe there must be Norms, which are different than rules. People break rules. People don't break Norms because Norms are about getting and giving respect for your point of view by showing respect for others. OP SNOWBALL is about respect.

1. Be part of Op Snowball. If you want to attend, then attend and follow the Norms. If you don't want to follow the Norms, then don't attend.

2. No put downs. Disagree with an idea, but respect the person.

3. Right to pass. No participant should feel forced to share personal things. But don't take the easy way out by hiding either. Don't talk unless you want to, but when you feel ready, try to share and trust Operation Snowball.

4. No names. No gossip. We would like the Op Snowball Small Group to be confidential, meaning that, "What is said in Small Group stays in Small Group." We would like participants to respect this and each other enough to honor that, "Outside of group you may talk about your own experiences, but you may not talk about anyone else." But the reality is that teens talk about things and respecting others is a difficult skill to learn. In Op Snowball we work on this skill but cannot guarantee confidentiality. Please help us work on the skill of respecting the private rights of others.

5. No war stories. No glorifying self-destructive behaviors.

6. Don't "flick your Bic." No repetitive, annoying behaviors.

7. No cell phones. Turn them off while in an Op Snowball group.

8. Mandated reporting. The State of Illinois requires CCOS to get involved if there is sexual or physical abuse in regards to children, teens or elders, or if there could be the hurting of self or others.

9. Tobacco. Not allowed in any form at any CCOS event or program.

10. Illegal substances. If found, CCOS is obligated to call the police in the community where the meeting is taking place.