Participant Guidelines

The RYS Approach | Organization and Activities | Health and Wellbeing
Finances | Transportation | In Summary | RYS NORMS

We recommend printing the following pages for reference.
You may download a Word Document version here.

The Interreligious Nature of RYS
The essence of RYS is interfaith dialogue and cooperation. As a participant you must be willing to engage in peaceful dialogue and constructive service with people who may have radically different views than your own. These different views usually include religious and political viewpoints. We have liberal and conservative participants and diverse religious representation from the mainline faith traditions to the smaller sects.

Religious Sensitivity
Occasionally we may be invited to a worship service of a faith that is not our own. The attitude of respect and reverence is best served by "dignified imitation" of the tradition being observed. As our program is meant to be experiential, a willingness to fully participate in religious services of other faiths will allow everyone to explore pathways of universal understanding.

It is also common for our project to hold interfaith prayer services in which we all join together in the connection to the Divine as an expression of our commitment to religious harmony and understanding.

We are volunteer workers and students of religion rather than mere tourists. Therefore behavior acceptable for tourists may not be acceptable for us. An important aspect of the learning intended by the RYS is the development of sensitivity to and respect for the religions we may observe. (At the end of this handbook is an Appendix which outlines some general attitudes for visiting religious sites of the major religious traditions.)

Individual and Cultural Sensitivities
You should familiarize yourself with local customs and other sensitivities in order to make your experience a much deeper and richer one.

Please understand that one of the major purposes of the Religious Youth Service is to further the ideal of "World Peace through Religious Dialogue and Harmony". We hope that you as a participant will realize that you are being looked upon by the people that you meet as a representative of your country, your religion, and your culture. We hope that your behavior will help to further our common desire for understanding and peace. Serious verbal denigration of any participant's race, religion, nationality, or culture will not be allowed.

For the sake of the integrity of the group as a whole, it is expected that the attitudes and actions of participants will support the policies of RYS which are outlined in this handbook. In the case of any violation of these stated goals and objectives, the participant will be given verbal warning. If there is no correction, he/she may be dismissed.

Male/Female Relationships
One of the most sensitive areas of cultural differences concerns relationships between men and women. For example, in Muslim cultures, the mere physical touch between a man and a woman in public takes place only if they are married. A woman wearing revealing clothing is considered to have very loose morals, and a woman entering a man's bedroom, or vice versa, is considered the same. RYS aims to create a wholesome spirit, encouraging positive interaction between participants.

Clothing
It should be noted again here that clothing is an important aspect of the message that you are sending to others. In different cultures, the same clothing may be sending an entirely different message. Those who are not used to seeing revealing clothing (RYS participants as well as members of the community) may feel uncomfortable and alienated. Again, we recommend modesty as the best policy for men and women.

Alcoholic Beverages
No alcoholic beverages will be served at any time during the program. All participants, while they are representing RYS, are asked to abstain from alcohol throughout the whole project. (The only exception is if a local host serves you an alcoholic drink in his or her home, and it could prove impolite to refuse. Then use your own discretion and sensitivity.) Drinking is not permissible during free time.

Smoking
Smoking is discouraged, and prohibited at meals, meetings, in vehicles and sleeping areas. It is objectionable to others, as well as injurious to their health. If you must smoke, please be sensitive to those around you.

Noise, Loud Music
Living in close quarters requires additional sensitivity. Please allow for the needs and desires of others to rest, reflect and meditate, by keeping a quiet atmosphere in group settings, especially in public areas. Do not play loud music in a sleeping area.