These rules are based in in-depth studies of mentoring successes and challenges during the last 100+ years since Big Brothers Big Sisters of America began. They are important for ensuring youth safety, adult liability protections, and healthy, happy outcomes for all parties.GUIDELINES AND GROUND RULES Parent/Guardians and Littes
As a Parent/Guardian, I will:
1. Understand my actions play a major role in my child’s relationship with their Big.
2. Remember this is a friendship between my child and their Big, and I will not expect
special favors. The Little is the only person who can go on outings with the Big, unless
approved through my Match Support Specialist.
3. Decide whether to approve each match activity.
4. Not allow my child to visit their Big’s home within the first 3 months. Thereafter,
approval must be obtained by our Match Support Specialist. Any visit occurring prior to this approval will result in closure.
5. Have my child appropriately dressed, ready and on time for each outing.
6. Realize that the Big is responsible for the cost of the match outings, which are to be free or low-cost activities. I will help my child not ask for presents or expect expensive outings.
7. Participate in the match support process and be willing to address challenges as they arise. Initiate and return phone calls, texts, emails, complete surveys/evaluations and attend meetings related to my child’s match. I will respond to contact from my Match Support Specialist at least monthly to report on the progress of the match. I understand that if I do not respond promptly, their match may be closed.
8. Understand that it’s important for my child to consistently meet with their Big, and I
will not use this time as a reward or a punishment. If I am having difficulties with my
child, I will communicate them to the Big and my Match Support Specialist, and I will
work to modify outings or arrange for the Big to meet with my child at our home.
9. Keep any personal information that I learn about the Big and their family members
confidential, aside from sharing it with my Match Support Specialist. I will not keep
secrets from my Match Support Specialist.
10. Agree to follow all guidelines listed in BBBS’s social media policy.
11. I will support BBBS SLO fundraising event so that more children can benefit from having a Big.
12. Communicate my hopes and wishes for my child to their Big.
13. Contact the Big prior to their arrival to pick up my child if they will not be able to go on a planned outing. I will also make arrangements ahead of time with the Big if I cannot be at home when my child is to return.
14. Give the B i g and Match Support Specialist up-to-date emergency contact phone
numbers and names, as well as any changes in my phone number, address and place of employment as soon as possible.
15. Encourage my child to communicate with their Big, talking when together and
returning phone calls. I will help my child by considerate by remembering birthdays,
making occasional phone calls, keeping appointments, saying “thank you” and being
polite.
16. Return phone calls, emails, and/or texts from the Big in order to schedule outings with them for my child.
17. Discuss activities with my child after outings and tell my Match Support Specialist if there is anything about the relationship that concerns me.
18. Monitor communication between my child and their Big (via phone, text, Facebook,
online video game systems, etc.)
19. Understand that the Big may not use or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during a match outing. I will not allow my child to go with them if this ever should occur or if the Big seems unsafe in any way. I will then notify my Match Support Specialist as soon as possible.
20. Not allow any overnights between my child and their Big.Unapproved overnights
will result in closure.
As a Little, I will:
1. Talk to my Big and tell them how I feel about our activities and outings.
2. Brainstorm ideas with my Big and help plan fun activities together.
3. Let my Big know that I like to see them and say thank you after our outings.
4. Talk to my Big and Match Support Specialist on a monthly basis about what I enjoy and if there is anything I do not like about my match.
5. Be willing to try a variety of outings with my Big, unless I feel unsafe.
6. Not ask to bring friends or family members along on activities.
7. Not expect my Big to spend money on me or buy me gifts.
8. Be respectful and on time
9. Ask my Big and parent before bringing any video games or electronics along on outings.
10. Understand that when I’m with my Big, my attention should be focused on our
friendship, not on friends, phones or electronic devices.
11. Understand that if I feel uncomfortable, I can say “no” to an outing or activity and/or ask to be taken home.
12. Follow safety rules when on activities with my Big, including wearing my seatbelt. I will also sit in the backseat if I am younger than 13.
13. Agree to follow all guidelines listed in BBBS’s social media policy. I will let my
parent/guardian know if I am communicating with my Big through phone or social media (calls, texting, Xbox Live, PlayStation Live, email, Facebook, and other social media outlets), and I will ask permission before using a new type of social media to communicate with my Big.
14. Tell my parent/guardian and Match Support Specialist if I am uncomfortable about
anything that happens with my Big. I will not keep secrets from my Match Support
Specialist about my Big or my match.
15. Strive to do well at home, in school and in the community.
It is essential that all participants understand these Guidelines and Ground Rules, so please reach out to your Enrollment or Match Support Specialists at any time if you have any questions.