Policies

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg is committed to providing excellent service to everyone. This commitment is based on the principles of independence, dignity, integration, and equal and equitable opportunity for people with disabilities. This policy has been created in compliance with the Standard Regulations under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, 2013 (AMA).

Read the Policy

Memberships 

Cancellations must be received in writing 7 days prior to the next debit is scheduled by registered mail, fax, email or personal delivery using the contact information below. Payments are non-refundable and YMCA-YWCA does not provide refunds or credits for any partial membership periods following notice of cancellation. A membership that has lapsed for 90+ days is considered a new membership and is subject to applicable join fees. 

Please remember: we also have the convenient option to put your membership on-hold for up to 90 days. 

Registered Programs/Classes

Cancellations must be received in writing no later than 14 days prior to the start of the program or class in order to receive a full refund (less a 20% fee). No refunds will be provided for cancellations submitted after the deadline. All fees are non-transferable.

Birthday Parties

Cancellations must be submitted in writing no later than 14 days prior to the start of the birthday party in order to receive a full refund (less a $30 fee). No refunds will be provided for cancellations submitted after the deadline. All fees are non-transferable.

Downtown Branch 301 Vaughan Street, Winnipeg, MB  R3B 2N7  204-947-3044  

Elmwood – Kildonan Branch 454 Kimberly Avenue Winnipeg, MB R2K 0X8  204-668-8140 

South Branch 5 Fermor Avenue  Winnipeg, MB R2M 0Y1  204-233-3476   

West Portage Branch  3550 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Z8   204-889-8052 

Cancellation Notice Email : wpgcancel@ymanitoba.ca

Camp Stephens

Cancellations must be submitted in writing no later than 30 days prior to the start of camper’s session in order to receive a full refund (less a 20% camp fee).  No refunds will be provided for cancellations submitted after deadline.  All camp fees are non-transferable.   Returned Payments – A service charge will apply for each returned payment. Service may be suspended until the account is paid in full.  The association reserves the right to cancel registrations with outstanding payment.  Unpaid accounts will be sent to a collection agency.

Camp Stephens reserves the right to cancel or amalgamate canoe trips at their discretion if there are under 4 participants signed up for a canoe trip.

Email Camp Stephens at campregistrar@ymanitoba.ca

1. Background and Purpose

The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg (also referred to as “the Association”) is committed to providing excellent programs and services. We recognize from time to time our stakeholders may have complaints they wish to raise and that they need avenues to do so. The YMCA-YWCA recognizes that when a person has a complaint about the YMCA-YWCA, the way in which it is handled is critical to the person’s ongoing relationship with the organization.

This policy is applicable to complaints received from members of the public about our activities, programs, services, facilities, staff or volunteers. This policy does not apply to employees and volunteers as they are covered under the Whistleblower Policy, HR Policy or Volunteer Policy.

2. Policy Statement

The YMCA-YWCA is committed to ensuring that stakeholder complaints are dealt with respectfully, consistently and in a timely manner.

3. Guiding Principles

• It is in the interest of all parties that complaints are dealt with promptly and resolved as quickly as possible.
• The review of complaints is fair, impartial and respectful to all parties.
• Individuals raising a complaint are advised of their options to escalate their complaint to a more senior staff person if they are dissatisfied with treatment or outcome.
• Individuals raising a complaint are provided clear and understandable reasons for decisions relating to their complaint. Updates are provided to the individual during review processes.
• Complaints are used to assist in reviewing the Association’s activities and make changes that could improve programs, services and operations, thereby helping to fulfil our mission.

4.Definitions

4.1 Complaint
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction with regard to a service or program, facilities, an action or decision taken by the YMCA-YWCA, or the way in which YMCA-YWCA employees or volunteers carry out their duties. Complaints typically arise when a person believes:

• The YMCA-YWCA has failed to do something agreed upon or expected
• A YMCA-YWCA policy or procedure has not been followed
• A YMCA-YWCA policy or procedure is unfair or inadequate
• An error has been made by the YMCA-YWCA
• YMCA-YWCA employees or volunteers have acted in a manner that does not align with our mission, purpose or values.
• A prior concern addressed by the individual has not been satisfactorily resolved.

4.2 Senior Leadership Team
The senior leadership team of the YMCA-YWCA consists of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Vice Presidents of the YMCA-YWCA and other employees who may be designated as so by the President and Chief Executive Officer.

4.3 Stakeholders
For purposes of this policy, YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg stakeholders includes any member of the public who engages with the YMCA-YWCA, except active employees or volunteers.

5. Procedures

5.1 Complaint

Many complaints can be resolved easily and quickly, often at the time they arise by speaking face to face with the staff member who is directly involved in the situation and/or has the specific knowledge needed to resolve the problem. Individuals may also address their complaint by phone, or by email.

Every effort will be made to resolve complaints in a timely fashion.

If your complaint is not resolved or if you are uncomfortable discussing the issue with the staff member directly involved, you may inform the Supervisor, Coordinator or Director for the program or service area. If the matter is not resolved at this stage, you can escalate your complaint to the Manager and/or General Manager for the program or service area.

5.2 Formal Complaint

If you have been unable to resolve your complaint through the process described above, a formal complaint may be made. In order for us to respond to your formal complaint, you must let us know of your intent to register a formal complaint, provide your name and contact information (including a valid email address and phone number), the date the issue occurred and a description of the issue.

Formal complaints are to be forwarded to the Vice-President of the program or service area. The Vice-President who receives the formal complaint will be the complaint lead. If the Vice President of the program or service area is involved with the complaint, the role of complaint lead will be taken by the President and Chief Executive Officer or their designate.

There may be rare occasions when we choose not to respond to a complaint. These include:

• When a complaint is about something that the YMCA-YWCA has no direct connection to. We may choose to reply to clear our name, but we are not obliged to.
• When someone unreasonably pursues a formal complaint that we have already responded to.
• When a complainant is being obviously abusive, prejudicial or offensive in their manner.
• When a complainant is harassing a staff member.
• When a complaint is illegible or incoherent.
• When a complaint has clearly been sent to us and numerous other organizations as part of a bulk mailing or email.
• The YMCA-YWCA cannot respond to a complaint made anonymously. However, we may investigate the complaint and use the information to improve in any way we can.

At the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, we are committed to excellence in serving all customers in a way that is consistent with the principles of independence, dignity and equity. If you require an alternative format by which to file your complaint, please contact the YMCA-YWCA at 204-832-7002. Alternatively, you can request accommodation support in writing at

WIN-accessibility@ymanitoba.ca or

YMCA-YWCA Human Resources
3550 Portage Ave
Winnipeg, MB
R3K 0Z8

5.3 Acknowledging a formal complaint

Once you have registered a formal complaint, the YMCA-YWCA is committed to handling the complaint promptly, consistently, and fairly. You will be treated with respect and kept informed of the status of the complaint. The YMCA-YWCA will respond to your complaint within two business days of receiving the complaint to confirm the complaint has been received and indicate expectations for how long the investigation will take if it can be reasonably assessed at that point.

5.4 Investigating a formal complaint

Upon receipt of a formal complaint the complaint lead will plan an investigation of the complaint.

The YMCA-YWCA aims to resolve all complaints within ten business days of receiving them. If this timeline cannot be met, the complainant will be informed of the reasons and given a revised timeframe.

5.5 Resolving a formal complaint

Upon completion of the investigation, the complainant will be contacted by the complaint lead. This may be in writing, by telephone or in person. The complainant will be provided with the decisions made and clear reasons for the decisions.

5.6 Closing a formal complaint

A formal complaint will be closed when one of the following occurs:

• The complainant does not provide requested information within a reasonable period of time (no shorter than five business days).
• The investigation has been completed, the results have been communicated to the complainant, and no appeal has been made within ten business days.
• The complainant makes a written request to drop/close the complaint.
• Based on investigation results, the complaint lead and the Vice President of Finance and Administration make a reasonable assumption that the complaint was not made in good faith.

6. Confidentiality

The YMCA-YWCA will make every effort to ensure confidentiality for the person reporting a complaint or concern. In some programs that receive funding from partner agencies, complaints may need to be shared with those agencies.

7. No Retaliation

No person who submits a concern/complaint shall suffer harassment or retaliation from YMCA-YWCA employees or volunteers.

8. Records

Unless it is felt that the complaint might result in future legal proceedings, complaint investigation records will be kept for a period of one year after the close of the investigation. Summary records of complaints will be kept on file for a minimum of seven years.

9. Accountability

Formal complaints will be tracked by the Vice President of Finance and Administration and will be reviewed by the President and Chief Executive Officer.

A report will be made to the Board of Directors at least annually on the number and types of formal complaints received, disposition of complaints, and time to resolve complaints.

For the safety and privacy of all users, the use of photo, video and streaming is strictly prohibited in change/locker rooms, washrooms, and throughout the aquatics centre and other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Photo, video and streaming are permitted in public areas of the facility; however they must not capture other members, visitors, or staff without their knowledge and verbal consent. Parental consent is required for all individuals under the age of 18.

Please do not send your child to Y programs with any of the following symptoms:

• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Fever (a person is considered to have a fever when they have a measured temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Head lice
• Undiagnosed rash, sore, or other skin condition
• Any other contagious disease or symptom