BBBS Volunteer Application

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Non-Discrimination Policy

Our participants come to us with a wide range of personal characteristics. We believe that participant eligibility shall be determined without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or disability. 

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Contact Information
























This information is needed to run a complete background check.












Employer Information











Additional Information









References and Background Check

Previous Experience










Volunteer Experience











Please provide at least three references below including:
  • Your spouse or domestic partner OR a family member if you do not have a spouse, partner, or significant other.
  • Current or former employee or co-worker you have known for at least one year or someone from your school if you are a student
  • A friend or neighbor you have known for at least two years
Spousal/Familial Reference







Professional Reference







Minimum 1 year
Personal Reference







Minimum 2 years
I consent to and understand that:
  1. The references and youth-serving organization(s) I listed may be contacted by mail, telephone, email, or in person;
  2. The information I provided may be used to conduct a background check, to include a search of public domain records, driving records check, juvenile and adult criminal history check (see attached authorization), military records, and other records where required by local, state, or federal law for volunteers working with youth;
  3. I am in no way obligated to perform any volunteer services;
  4. The BBBS agency is not obligated to match me with a youth and may deny my application or close my match at any time, and to protect all participants’ confidentiality, BBBS is not required to disclose reasons for doing so; 
  5. Other BBBS agencies and youth organizations where I have worked or volunteered may be contacted as references;
  6. As part of the enrollment processes, I will be required to provide additional personal information, including completion of an in-person interview;
  7. I understand that the information I provide in the enrollment process will be kept confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.  
  8. I understand that detailed accounts of child abuse or neglect, past or present, will be reported to proper authorities;
  9. I understand that certain relevant information about me will be discussed with the parent/guardian of a child who is a prospective match (this might include demographic information, information relevant to parent/child preferences, and any information relevant to a child’s safety or well-being);  
  10. It is my responsibility to update the agency if any of the information I provide on this application, in my interview, or any other information provided during the enrollment process changes (i.e. address, phone number, auto-insurance, new criminal charges, etc.)
  11. I agree to complete questionnaires throughout my time in the program to evaluate and improve program services;
  12. I agree to timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff as required by the agency.

Pre-Interview Questionnaire

Prior to your in-person interview, please answer the questions below. The information you provide will also help us make a better match for you and assure we can support you during your involvement with our program. Please note that you will have an opportunity to discuss these questions and your responses more thoroughly during your in-person interview.  





Agency Weapons Policy

Possession of firearms by the Big is to be disclosed to the parent by agency staff. Whenever the Little visits the home of a Big, firearms in the Big’s home are to be locked and unloaded and ammo kept in a separate place. The parent/guardian must approve of any match outing where a firearm will be used. Further, the Littles MUST have completed hunter’s safety and provided BBBS documentation of completing the course prior to engaging in any hunting activities. 




If applicable, please provide the name, age, and relationship to you for anyone else residing in your home.


Release of Information Authorization for Background Check


I understand it will be necessary for BBBS to check my background regarding criminal history, driving record, character references, and employment records now and annually until my affiliation with the agency has officially ended.  I do give my consent for any agency such as: police, sheriff, courts, social services, etc., to release any information concerning me, either of public record or otherwise, and to furnish it to BBBS.  I further understand that it is my responsibility to inform BBBS of any infractions of the law including motor vehicle violations.

Criteria for automatic disqualification is included but not limited to:

Factors of Automatic Disqualification

●    Failure to complete the application and screening process (including unwillingness to submit to a background check)

●    Lying about criminal history

●    History of Criminal Activity:

○    All offenses involving child abuse or neglect, regardless of the amount of time since the offense

○    All sex offenses, regardless of the amount of time since the offense and regardless of whether the individual completed therapy (e.g., child molestation, rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, prostitution, solicitation, indecent exposure, etc.)

○    All felony violence, regardless of the amount of time since the offense

○    All felony offenses other than violence or sex within the past 10 years (e.g., drug offenses, theft, embezzlement, fraud, child endangerment, etc.)

○    All misdemeanor violence offenses within the past 7 years (e.g., simple assault, battery, domestic violence, hit and run, etc.)

○    All misdemeanor drug & alcohol offenses within the past 5 years or multiple offenses in the past 10 years (e.g., driving under the influence, simple drug possession, drunk and disorderly, public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia, etc.)

○    Any other misdemeanor or crime within the past 5 years that would be considered a potential danger to children, involved children, or is directly related to the functions of that volunteer (e.g. contributing to the delinquency of a minor, providing alcohol to a minor, theft, etc.)

○    On parole or probation for any offense.

●    History of any sexually exploitive behavior

●    Termination from a paid or volunteer position caused by misconduct with a child

●    Current substance abuse problems.

●    Current or recent history of psychiatric problems.

 

 

Factors of Likely Ineligibility--Items below are at the staff’s discretion based upon time frame and frequency of violation(s)/occurrence:

●    Sporadic job history

●    Major upheaval (positive or negative) in applicant's life to which applicant has not yet adjusted (i.e., marriage, divorce, death of a close person, birth of a child or change of job, etc.)

●    Driving record that demonstrates poor judgment in the operation of a motor vehicle, (i.e. violations, D.U.I, reckless driving, suspensions, accidents, etc.)

●    Violation of Minor in Possession (MIP). If the offense is less than a year old, the applicant can be pending six months after MIP violation upon discretion of staff. If more than one offense, BBBS staff and COO will decide on an individual basis.

●    Difficulty in establishing and sustaining close relationships as determined by interviews from BBBS Staff.

●    Inappropriate role model as determined by interviews with BBBS Staff.

●    Lack of readiness to take on the commitment of being a Big

●    Lack of other personal qualifications.

 


Policy Agreements

Volunteer Agreement to Protect the Confidentiality of Match Information

I agree to keep information discussed with me regarding a potential Little match confidential. I will not discuss this information with any person other than the assigned professional staff of BBBS. It is of utmost importance to keep child safety and confidentiality issues in mind; the Volunteer will not use the child’s last name nor any details regarding the child and their family when talking about the match to friends, family, co-workers, and when creating, updating, and communicating on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. To that end, it is best to refrain from providing any identifying information about my Little.              


Social Media Policy: In general, personal use of social networking sites is typically for communications between peers, including friends and family. BBBS-BSC wants to reiterate that the match relationship is primarily that of a mentor. As such, you agree to not “friend” your Little on social networking sites.




Virtual Platform

Match Guidelines

  1. This is a friendship between the Volunteer and the Child; siblings or friends are not to be included on match outings.  Our liability insurance only covers the match participants.
  2. The Volunteer will meet with the Child on a consistent basis; generally 1-2 hours a week. Excessive contact or lack of contact should be discussed with your Match Support Specialist. 
  3. The Volunteer will make arrangements with the parent/guardian before picking up the Child, inform them where they will be going and when they will return. The parent/guardian should approve all activities in advance. Inability to meet at the scheduled time needs to be communicated as soon as possible. 
  4. The Volunteer is a friend to the Child, not a therapist. Consult your Match Support Specialist if there is a concern.  
  5. The Volunteer is not to be involved in disciplining the Child although they should maintain appropriate boundaries.  Concerns should be discussed with the parent/guardian and the Match Support Specialist, if needed. Keeping the Child from seeing the Volunteer should not be routinely used as disciplinary action by the parent/guardian; however, the Volunteer needs to respect the parent/guardian’s role and authority.
  6. The parent/guardian will not ask the Volunteer for household assistance, transportation, nor babysitting.
  7. The Volunteer will never leave the Child with anyone who has NOT been screened by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country; i.e. spouse, relative, friend, roommate.
  8. Littles are not allowed to visit the Big’s home for outings until the match has been together for 3 months or more. A permission slip is also required prior to a Little visiting a Bigs home.
  9. Overnight stays are not allowed for the first year of the match. Thereafter, overnight stays are only allowed in exceptional circumstances. You must talk with and get approval from your Match Support Specialist in advance.
  10. Low cost, no cost activities are encouraged. Utilize the business partners discount program as well as free outings and tickets provided by the agency. The parent/guardian is responsible for the Child’s share of expenses.
  11. Inexpensive gifts are appropriate for special occasions or holidays. Gifts should be approved by the parent/guardian.  Your Match Support Specialist should be notified when a gift of an excessive nature is given to the Child.
  12. When the Volunteer transports the Child, all are required to wear seat belts. The parent/guardian will tell the Volunteer what kind of age-appropriate car seating is needed for the Child.
  13. A medical release card, signed by the parent/guardian, will be given to the Volunteer at the time of the match. The Volunteer should be informed of any allergies, medical conditions, fears, procedures to administer medications, etc.  The Volunteer and Match Support Specialist will also be informed of any changes.
  14. A media consent form, signed by the parent/guardian, is required before a Volunteer can release any photos or information about the Child in any form of media. The Child’s last name, place of residence and any other details regarding the Child and his/her family should never be divulged. There are some Little Brothers/Little Sisters who have profiles on social media sites; they also must understand the need to not divulge personal information about the Volunteer without consent.
  15. All parties are required to check in with their Match Support Specialist when contacted. Match parties will be contacted once a month if their match is under a year and quarterly if matched over a year (only if the match is in good standing). Failure to be in regular contact may result in closure of the match.

Child Safety Guidelines and Ground Rules for Volunteers                                                                      


Acknowledgement of Obligations

Signing this form expresses my interest in becoming a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country (BBBS). I agree to take an active part in its activities and visit with my assigned child (“Little”) on a consistent basis. I understand that this will not obligate me financially or legally. I further acknowledge and agree that I am not obligated, if called upon, to perform volunteer services herein applied for and that BBBS is not obligated to assign nor actively seek to assign a Little match to me.


I further acknowledge and agree that BBBS may, without incurring liability of any nature whatsoever to the undersigned, refer to the proper authorities any deviant behavior relating to illegal drugs, physical abuse, or sexual misconduct on the part of the participating Volunteer.


I also acknowledge that when I become a Big I also become a mandated reporter and will be required to make a report to BBBS staff and Child Protective Services (CPS). A report must be made by a Big if they have reasonable cause to suspect their Little is being abused or neglected in any capacity. BBBS staff will help guide you through this process should a report need to be made.


Respect for Privacy and Personal Boundaries

I am aware of the child’s personal boundaries regarding physical contact. For example, especially in the early stages of the match, asking the child if it’s okay to give a hug before giving a hug. Other forms of physical contact such as tickling, wrestling, patting, putting the child on my knee, etc. are likely to violate his/her boundaries. Displaying or discussion of any materials of a sexual nature is prohibited, including but not limited to viewing pornography or sexually suggestive materials. I must provide separate, private areas for the child to change clothes, bathe, shower, and/or sleep. I will never sleep or nap with the child in the same bed, sleeping bag, or couch. 


Child Safety Documentation

BBBS’s first priority is the safety of the child. Volunteers and agency staff are mandatory reporters by state law; if Volunteer suspects abuse or neglect, Volunteer will contact the agency immediately.


Application Acknowledgement

I understand that this is an application for a volunteer opportunity and is not a promise or commitment by Big Brothers Big Sisters.

I certify that all information I have provided or will provide to Big Brothers Big Sisters, including this application, is true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I have and will answer all questions to the best of my ability and that I have not and will not withhold any information that would affect my application for a volunteer position. I understand that information contained in my application will be verified by Big Brothers Big Sisters. I understand that misrepresentations or omissions may be cause for my immediate rejection as an applicant or my termination as a volunteer.

At any time while involved with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I agree to immediately inform my Big Brothers Big Sisters contact person of any and all infractions, violations, charges, and convictions related to any civil, domestic, or criminal matters.  I understand that BBBS staff needs to be fully informed to provide the best guidance or support possible.  

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