Inclusive Spaces Policy
Respect is a core value of the YMCA, and we respectfully ask all users of all locker rooms and restrooms to exhibit modesty by covering themselves while in common spaces, where possible. Our private changing room locker rooms provide the most privacy with individual changing spaces. Individuals who have a need or desire for increased privacy, regardless of the underlying reason, are welcome to private changing areas within gender-specific locker rooms or restrooms and in our private changing room locker rooms.

The Dow Bay Area Family YMCA is an inclusive and welcoming organization for all. We welcome all people regardless of ability, religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. The YMCA does not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment from members, guests, employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors, or other persons with a business relationship with the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA.

All members have the right to be addressed by name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity. The YMCA will assign gender as male, female, or nonbinary in the member/program management system based on the members preferred identity. The YMCA will assign the name the member wants to be called in the member/program management system and indicate the member’s legal name for accounting purposes. We value each of our members and will act in care and discretion with this information.

Nonbinary/Transgender members have the right to safe and appropriate locker room and restroom facilities within the YMCA. All members and their permitted guests shall have access to the use of gender-specific locker rooms or restrooms that correspond with their current gender identity and expression of it.

There are five locker rooms throughout the facility.

1. Men’s Locker Room is to be used only by males 18 and older.
2. Women’s Locker Room is to be used only by females 18 and older.
3. Girl’s Locker Room is to be used by girls ages 13-17 only.
4. Boy’s Locker Room is to be used by boys ages 13-17 only.
5. Private Changing Rooms 

The steam rooms and saunas are located in the men and women locker rooms anyone under the age of 18 is not allowed to use them. Swimsuits must be worn when at all times in steam rooms and saunas.

Lockers are available for day use by members and guests. Each member or guest must bring his or her own lock and remove it at the end of each visit. Items left overnight will be removed from the locker rooms and placed in the lost and found. Always secure belongings, as the YMCA is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Locker Rentals – For half size lockers only. Bank draft members will be charged the monthly locker fee along with their regular monthly bank draft. Annual members will pay the locker fee in full coinciding with their commitment date. Email Joslyn at jjamrog@ymcabaycity.org for more information or stop by the Member Service Desk.

Fees:

• $13 per month for monthly draft members.
• $156 per year for annual members.

This service is provided for YMCA members and guests while they enjoy using the YMCA. For children ages 2 months through age 12 (older siblings considered), this service is available at scheduled times for YMCA members using the facility. Parents or guardians of children must remain in the building at all times. Please see the KidZone for policies and procedures.

Fees:

KidZone is a free service for all YMCA household memberships $3.00 per visit, per child for Adult, non-member program participants, daily guest pass users, or other facility users.

Individuals from the community may purchase a guest pass to the YMCA in the appropriate category. The YMCA reserves the right to limit the number of passes sold per day. Guests 16 years old and older must provide photo ID for guest past purchase.

• Please bring your own towel for your visit.
• Parents/Guardians will need to come into the YMCA to sign the waiver form for each dependent under 16 years old. No authorizations will be done over the phone.
• All guests 16 years old and older will also need to provide a photo ID.
• Children of all ages are welcome, but we ask that all children that are 12 years old and younger remain under adult supervision during their entire visit.
• Children 13 years old and older are welcome to use the YMCA unsupervised. Any child under the age of 13 will need to be supervised for the entirety of their visit.

The daily fee charged is as follows:

• Youth (Ages 17 and under): $10.00
• Adult (Age 18 and over): $15.00
• Household (all that are attending reside in the same household): $25.00

Membership at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA is a privilege, not a right. Membership privileges may be suspended or revoked by the CEO or Membership Director. Length of suspension/ revocation is determined by the same authority. Any member whose membership has 5 been suspended or revoked may appeal to the Board of Directors. Program and membership fees are non-refundable for suspended memberships.

Active Military Service Personnel on temporary leave in the Great Lakes Bay Region may use the YMCA at no charge upon presentation of their military identification for the time limit of their leave. Passes will be given out by the Membership Director. Military service personnel stationed in the area are required to join the YMCA. See below for more information.

Armed Services Personnel – We understand that military families are under enormous strain. As a member of the YMCA, you and your family can spend quality time together and enjoy fun activities in a warm, supportive environment. It’s also a place to meet other military families who can relate to your unique situation.

Eligibility Requirements:

Title 10 personnel are eligible for a YMCA membership, including:

• Family members of deployed National Guard and Reservists
• Active Duty/Independent Duty personnel and their families
• Relocated spouse/dependent children of deployed Active Duty personnel

Note: The Relocated Spouse category supports families/spouse who relocate away from an installation/duty station while the active duty service member is deployed. All of the following criteria must be met:

• The service member is on active duty.
• The service member is DEPLOYED for a minimum of six months (on deployment orders— NOT unaccompanied orders, NOT geographic bachelors).
• The spouse has relocated away from the military installation where the service member is assigned (most often, back home near family)
• Wounded service members assigned to a Community Based Warrior in Transition Unit (CBWTU)

Armed Services Membership Process:

1. Go to https://www.asymca.org/ymca-dod-military-outreach-initiative to determine eligibility.
2. Complete application.
3. Email application to your Military Component Approving Official (MCAO) address (on application form).
4. MCAO will contact the YMCA for membership.

Fill out and bring your eligibility form, Military ID and any other required documentation (usually, your Deployment Orders or Military Service Headquarters approval letter) to a participating YMCA for verification. Please do not leave copies of these documents at the YMCA.

Summer Membership – A short-term summer membership program will be available for adults and households for 90 days from May through the end of August. A summer membership may be converted to a full year’s membership with credit for a portion of the summer fee. There are no refunds of the summer membership.

“On Hold” Memberships – After the initial year commitment has been fulfilled, any Adult, Young Adult, or Household member may put their membership on hold. The YMCA will place the membership on hold for up to 3 months with no charge. After that it is a $20 a month fee, up to 6 months (any membership type). All seniors (65+) free for 6months. Please fill out the hold form here.

Medical Hold – Cases of serious illness substantiated by a physician’s statement with start date of illness or injury, will allow for the membership to be placed on hold without charge for a period up to 6 months. A Medical Hold form must be filled out signed by the physician. Please fill out the medical hold form here.

Transfer of Membership from Other Associations – Membership are not transferrable, however, if a member from another YMCA across the US wishes to join the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, they may do so and pay no joining fee. A letter of good standing from their YMCA is required.

Membership Change– If you would like to change your membership to another type, please fill out the change form here.

1. YMCA membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another individual under any circumstance.
2. Members must complete a Membership Termination Form 14 days prior to their scheduled monthly draft date.
3. Program fees are non-refundable except under the following conditions:
   • Programs cancelled by the YMCA will be fully refundable.
   • In the case of medical emergencies, a credit will be issued for the remaining balance of class fees. A written request must be submitted with a doctor’s note.

There is a $25 service fee on all NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) checks/bank drafts/credit cards plus the bank fee charged to the YMCA.

All new members must sign a general liability release and waiver of claims form when joining.

1. Individuals ages 16 and over using a guest pass at the YMCA must present government issued picture identification and sign a waiver and Release of Liability Form. If the individual is a minor, a parent/guardian must be present to sign the Release of Liability form.
2. A Waiver and Release of Liability Form must be signed prior to participation in the following YMCA activities:
   • Fitness Classes
   • Personal Training Program
   • Any program deemed necessary by the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA

1. Membership ID & Access Cards – Your YMCA membership card is a passport to all the benefits of membership. It verifies your agreement to abide by the rules and policies of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. Cards are nontransferable and remain the property of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA. You are expected to present your membership card at the Membership Service Desk each time you enter the facility and when registering for programs. The membership card may also be presented to borrow equipment while in the YMCA. For our members’ safety, a photo taken by our Member Service staff is required to obtain a membership card. Membership card is also available via the YMCA mobile app. Replacement cards are $5 each.
2. Name / Address Change – If your name, address or phone number changes, please let the membership department know immediately. This will ensure you get our important mailings and, in the event of an emergency, it will save valuable time in obtaining assistance for you.
3. Change of Account – If you need to change your membership status due to birth/death/divorce or any information about your account, please fill out the proper forms at the Membership Service Desk.
4. Cancellation of Membership – Memberships will remain active for one year following the date of the signed agreement. After the year agreement has been completed, the membership may be cancelled by completing a Membership Termination form and should be accompanied by the membership card. Memberships paid on the draft or debit system agree to submit to the YMCA a Membership Termination Form 14-days prior to cancellation, to ensure proper procedures occur with the member’s financial institution. Only accounts in good standing can be terminated.
5. Re-Joining – When a member renews a membership after 30 days of termination, a person shall be subject to new member joining fees.
6. Revocation/Suspension – Membership at the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA is a privilege, not a right. Membership privileges may be suspended or revoked by the CEO or Membership Director. Length of suspension/ revocation is determined by the same authority. Any member whose membership has been suspended or revoked may appeal to the Board of Directors. Program and membership fees are non-refundable for suspended memberships.

1. Cancellation of Membership – Memberships will remain active for one year following the date of the signed agreement. After the year agreement has been completed, the membership may be cancelled by completing a Membership Termination form and should be accompanied by the membership card. Memberships paid on the draft or debit system agree to submit to the YMCA a Membership Termination Form 14-days prior to cancellation, to ensure proper procedures occur with the member’s financial institution. Only accounts in good standing can be terminated.
   
   TERMINATION FORM

At the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA, no one is denied membership or access to programs due to the inability to pay. The YMCA maintains a generous financial assistance program for those in need. Applications are available at the Membership Service Desk and must be completed entirely.

The amount of assistance is based on the pool of resources that is contributed by individuals, families, organizations and businesses within our community and grants that are awarded by governmental agencies. Financial assistance can only be granted to the extent that it can be funded. All assistance is available based on demonstrated need without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or physical or mental handicap. Assistance is awarded on a sliding fee scale. Financial Assistance determinations are based on household gross income and household size. Extenuating circumstances may be considered.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant must live or work in the YMCA service area.
2. Financial assistance can be granted for one session of a program or for up to one year’s membership.
3. Financial assistance for Child Care and/or Summer Camp is awarded based on the needs of the family. We may ask that you first attempt to secure assistance through the MI Department of Human Services.
4. Financial assistance applicants can only receive financial assistance for either Membership, Childcare, or Programs. They may not use FA for more than one of those items.

When completing this application, please:

1. Provide the following proof of income for all members of the household (two most recent paystubs, most recent federal income tax return, Unemployment, Disability, SSI or Workers Comp Benefit Statement). The YMCA may request additional documentation.
2. Turn in the application to the YMCA. Please make sure it is filled out completely and signed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

All information submitted with this application will be kept confidential. Applicants may be approved for a discount of up to 50%. You are responsible for bringing in any new information for reevaluation if your financial situation changes within the year allotted.