Being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is not only FUN, but extremely rewarding. Soon you’ll have the chance to impact the lives of local youth in our community. 

BUT FIRST… here’s a few Big Requirements to assure our Littles have the most positive and effective experience:

• Be at least a 9th grader or older (it is ok to start the process at the end of  8th grade) 
• Are committed to meeting with your little 2-4 times a month for a minimum of 12 months
• Will connect with your Program Coordinator each month
• Are not going through major life changes that would impact your Match

Not sure if you’re ready? We’d love to talk more. Please reach out to Tasha Bruns-Notsch @ 320.310.1276 or Tasha@BigDefenders.org. 

READY TO GO BIG? APPLY NOW BELOW!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota respects the confidentiality of client and volunteer records and, with the exception of situations listed below, shares information about clients and volunteers only among the agency professional staff.

All records are considered the property of the agency and not the agency workers, clients or volunteers themselves. Records are not available for review by the clients or volunteers.

1. Information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the client or volunteer's written consent.

2. For purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the prior approval of the Board of Directors, certain outside bodies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America may have access to client and volunteer records.

3. Members of the Board of Directors or evaluators appointed by the Board have access to client files upon authorization of the Board of Directors.

4. Information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.

5. Information shall be provided to an agency's legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency.

6. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate authorities (law enforcement or social services).

7. If an agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to themselves or to others, necessary steps may be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or report to the local law enforcement authorities.

8. At the time a child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information is shared between the prospective match parties. The information about the volunteer may include such items as: age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, marriage, family status, sexual orientation, living situation, etc. Information about the child may include such items as age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, family situation, etc.

BBBS is committed to protecting the safety, privacy, and confidentiality of all program participants. Electronic records are maintained securely through BBBS's authorized data management system. All staff, volunteers, youth, and parents/guardians are required to sign and comply with BBBSs Confidentiality Policy.

BBBS recognizes that social media and digital technology are common and valuable communication tools. While mentoring relationships are intended to occur primarily through in-person interactions, BBBS understands that digital communication may sometimes be appropriate. When communication occurs outside of in person meetings, matches are encouraged to use BBBS-provided or BBBS-approved platforms whenever possible.

All volunteers, youth, and parents/guardians who engage in digital communication, including texting, email, video chats, social media, blogs, and other online platforms, agree to the following:

1.      Be Positive Role Models

a.       Conduct themselves responsibly and serve as positive role models in all online activity and communications.

b.       Recognize that information shared publicly online may be viewed by youth participants and their families.

2.      Protect Privacy and Confidentiality

a.       Respect the privacy and dignity of youth, families, volunteers, staff, and BBBS.

b.       Not share confidential information about any participant, volunteer, employee, or BBBS business.

c.        Not post or share photos, videos, or identifying information about a youth or family without prior parental/guardian consent. If the Little is 18+, they can provide consent.

3.      Maintain Appropriate Boundaries

a.       Use good judgment regarding the timing, frequency, and nature of digital communications.

b.       Conduct all communications in a manner consistent with the mentoring relationship and BBBS's child safety standards.

c.        Be transparent in online and digital interactions.

1.       4. Use Social Media Responsibly

a.       Speak respectfully about BBBS, program participants, staff, volunteers, and families.

b.       Refrain from posting content that could negatively impact BBBS, a match, or any participant.

c.        Bigs may not connect with youth under the age of 13 through social media platforms, as most platforms require users to be at least 13 years old.

5.      Report Safety Concerns

a.       Immediately report any inappropriate communication, social media activity, technology misuse, cyberbullying, online exploitation concerns, or content that may endanger a child's health, safety, or well-being to BBBS staff.

b.       Report any suspected violations of this policy or other BBBS policies.

6.      Follow BBBS Policies and Applicable Laws

a.       Comply with all BBBS policies and procedures related to communication, technology use, child safety, confidentiality, and social networking.

b.       Adhere to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

BBBS reserves the right to review publicly available online information about volunteers as part of its ongoing commitment to child safety and program integrity.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in corrective action, including suspension or termination from participation in BBBS programs.

We're glad and honored you joined us! Here are the important components that every volunteer must understand and agree to before becoming a Big.

After you have looked over the information in the handbook, please review and sign this document.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN provides children and youth with safe, quality mentoring relationships with caring adults who serve as volunteers. Our Bigs teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school, and of having respect for family, peers, and community. As a Big, you share with your Little, their parents/guardians, and the agency, a commitment to fostering a safe, enjoyable, meaningful, and healthy mentoring relationship by observing our code of conduct. 

As a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), I understand that seeing my Little consistently is one of the most important things that I can do as a mentor;  therefore I will keep my commitment to see my Little two to four times per month for a minimum of one year.   I also agree to:   

Conduct myself in a manner consistent with my position as a positive role model to a child/youth, and as a representative of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN. 

Not inflict any physical, sexual, emotional, or other abuse or exploitation on children and/or youth. 

Use respectful and appropriate language in all interactions with my Little and avoid use of the following: profanity, derogatory terms, inappropriate jokes, name calling, or discussion of intimate personal details of my life. 

Respect my Little's personal space and boundaries and avoid inappropriate physical contact, including tickling, wrestling, sitting on laps, back rubs, etc. 

Provide fair treatment to youth and their family, no matter gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, medical needs, and/or sexual orientation. 

Treat my Little and their family in a respectful manner at all times. The Big-Little relationship is based on mutual respect. 

Notify BBBS immediately of any safety issues in the life of my Little that I become aware of in the course of volunteering. 

Have an open mind and understand that all youth are different; therefore all matches will be different.  I will not have unrealistic expectations going into my match.

Maintain confidentiality with my match.  This includes using first names only when talking to others about my match and keeping my Little’s family information private.

Keep the agency informed of any changes in address and/or phone number.

Keep in contact with my Program Coordinator for monthly supervision (Match Support), which is required by BBBS national standards. 

Inform the agency if I am arrested and/or break any laws, regardless of if there is a conviction or not.   This includes any traffic violations, accidents, and moving violations.  The agency will review the arrest and the circumstance to determine the status of my match.  Failure to inform the agency can result in immediate termination of the match.

Consult with my Program Coordinator prior to giving my Little any significant gifts (significant is anything above $25).

Never ask my Little to keep any secrets and understand that all activities and conversations have to be considered open territory to my Little’s Parent/Guardian and Program Coordinator.

Not interact with my Little on social media sites unless I and my Little’s Parent/Guardian have signed BBBSCM's social media policy.  I will adhere to all guidelines outlined in the social media policy.

I understand that as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters I am a mandated reporter of suspected/known abuse and agree to make all necessary reports if/when needed.  I will make my Program Coordinator aware of all reports I make.