BBBS Broward 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
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 employer or co-worker you have known for at least one year or someone from your school if you are a full-time student
  • A friend or neighbor you have known for at least three years
Spousal/Familial Reference
Professional Reference
Minimum 1 year
Personal Reference
Minimum 2 years
I consent to and understand that:

The references and youth-serving organization(s) I listed may be contacted by mail, telephone, email, or in person;

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;

I am in no way obligated to perform any volunteer services;

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; 

Other BBBS agencies and youth organizations where I have worked or volunteered may be contacted as references;

As part of the enrollment processes, I will be required to provide additional personal information, including completion of an interview;

I understand that the information I provide in the enrollment process will be kept confidential, unless disclosure is required by law.  

I am not a member of the organization until I receive an acceptance letter, which if accepted, such acceptance letter would indicate my effective date of membership.  Once accepted, the agency may give my phone number to other accepted agency volunteers for the agency activity and other agency business.  I also understand that while records are kept according to Big Brothers Big Sisters confidentiality policy, it may be necessary to share information contained in my file with funding agencies.

I understand that detailed accounts of child abuse or neglect, past or present, will be reported to proper authorities;

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);  

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.)

I agree to complete questionnaires throughout my time in the program to evaluate and improve program services;

I agree to timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff as required by the agency.

Pre-Interview Questionnaire

Prior to your 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 interview.  
Agency Weapons Policy

Volunteers owning firearms and/or weapons (including hunting knives, swords, explosives, etc.) must comply with the following: ownership of any firearm/weapon must be disclosed by volunteers to agency staff at enrollment and throughout the life of the match. 

Staff must disclose this information to the parent/guardian. 


     Volunteers must attest to the fact that any weapons, firearms, or ammunition ownership are licensed, permitted, registered, and handled in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Volunteers must agree in writing (Volunteer Expectations Form) that weapons, firearms, and ammunition will be locked, unloaded, separated (guns & ammunition stored separately), hidden, and always made inaccessible to a child in their care. (Activities such as firearm or hunting safety courses are permissible when approved by the parent and volunteer Big, and approval is documented in the match file.) 


     Agency volunteers that are required by their employer to carry a weapon will be required to discuss safety precautions with the parent and assigned BBBS Match Support Specialist.

Please list any counties and states that you have lived in aside from your current address in the last five years.  (Please note to be enrolled as s Big in Broward County you will need to have resided in the county for a minimum of six months).
Please provide the name and birth date for anyone else residing in your home. If you live alone, please write NA "Not Applicable" and type your name and birth date below.

Release of Information Authorization for Background Check

The agency requires a criminal history record check for volunteer Bigs, Board Members,

Agency Staff, and non-mentoring volunteers who come into meaningful contact with

children.

Confidentiality and Digital Platform Policies

For Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward, Inc., to provide responsible and professional service to clients, it is necessary for volunteers, clients and parents or guardians of clients to be asked to divulge extensive personal information about themselves and their families.  The Agency respects the confidentiality of client and volunteer records and, except for situations listed below, shares information about clients and volunteers only among the Agency staff.  The right to confidentiality applies not only to written records, but to video, film, pictures or use of client or volunteer’s name in Agency publications.

 

All records are considered the property of the Agency and not the Agency workers, clients, or volunteers themselves. To provide a service which is in the best interest of the children served by the program, information from outside sources, including confidential references, must be assessed along with information gained from the clients or volunteers themselves. Records are not available for review by the clients or volunteers. Clients and volunteers shall be provided, at the time of application, a copy of this statement on confidentiality along with the exceptions which define the limits of confidentiality. Clients and volunteers shall sign a statement that he/she has read and understand the Agency policy on confidentiality and agrees to program participation under the guidelines it sets forth.

BBBS of Broward has embraced the current technology and positive uses of social media in the following outlets but is not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube on an agency-wide scale.  The Social Media policy applies to Board, Staff, Volunteers, and Parents even when there is not a direct interaction with youth enrolled in the program. Child safety will remain priority one with confidentiality of all parties involved in posting as well.  As a condition of being a Volunteer Big, volunteer must read, understand, and agree to abide by this Policy.  Failure to adhere to this Policy may result in termination of a match and/or rejection from the program.

 

A.  BBBS of Broward discourages Volunteer Bigs from connecting with Little via social media if they are not able to adhere to all rules and regulations that will insure child safety, prohibit all inappropriate comments/posts/photos from being accessible to Little and/or will not have the strictest settings for privacy set to their social media outlets.  BBBS of Broward prohibits Volunteer Bigs from posting pictures and/or statuses that will include youth’s full name, school, and/or residence.  BBBS of Broward discourages Volunteer Bigs from connecting with Little’s, Parents and/or family members of Little’s if they are incapable of securing the utmost privacy on their social media outlets.

 

B.  BBBS requires volunteer Bigs and parent/legal guardian(s) of the Little sign a Photo/Social Media Release form during their interview process.  If this release has not been signed all parties must be informed and no social media can be utilized in reference to match and/or individuals.  This includes BBBS, Volunteer Big and Parent/Legal Guardian.    

 

C.  All Volunteer Bigs must review the terms of use/service and any applicable privacy policy and/or provisions on minors of the Social Media sites that they intend on using with their Littles.  All Volunteer Bigs, if using Social Media with their Little, have customized their Social Media settings to ensure that no personal information is viewed by the general public, in order to protect the Little from searches by or contact from the general public.


Al  Volunteer Big will monitor their Social Media sites to ensure that all posts and posted materials, whether by the volunteer Big or a third party, are respectful, legal, and appropriate.  Note the action to be taken in cases where disrespectful, illegal, or inappropriate material is posted.  Process for reporting misuse, endangerment: Volunteer Bigs should inform their BBBS case manager immediately in the case of viewing any information on the Little’s Social Media site that may endanger that Little’s health, safety, and welfare.  BBBS case manager will then follow agency guidelines to ensure child safety and any mandatory reporting requirements necessary.  BBBS case manager will be responsible for assisting the Volunteer Big on how to address content on Little’s social media site(s) through proper coaching, discussion and boundaries.  Further conversation with Little’s parent/legal guardian will also be the responsibility of the BBBS case manager.


      Volunteer Bigs have a right to author content or express opinions, including that the Volunteer Big should represent that their opinion(s), belief(s) and statements are personal, and do not represent the opinion(s), belief(s) or statements of your affiliate.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward will not actively monitor the volunteer Bigs social media sites; however, if there is a complaint or inquiry, or your affiliate becomes aware of a potential violation of this policy or any other, then your affiliate has the right to access the volunteer Big’s Social Media site for compliance purposes.  If Volunteer Big does not comply by agency guidelines regarding social media there can be reason for termination of a match and/or closure from the program in full.

Virtual Platform

Media Consent and Release

I irrevocably consent to any and all uses and displays of my name, image, likeness, appearance, basic biographical information, audio/video recordings, writings, artwork, and the like, in original form or in modified form, in whole or in part, in, on, or in connection with merchandise, advertising, publicity, marketing, fundraising, and the like, in printed or electronic media, of any type, throughout the world at any time by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward in their sole discretion, and by any of their affiliates, successors, partners, sponsors, donors, any entities or persons with whom they conduct any public relations, marketing, or fund raising of any type, and any other authorized third parties, without further consent from me, without any royalty, payment, or other compensation to me, and with the release and waiver of any claims, actions, damages, losses, costs, expenses and liability of any kind arising from any such use (the “Released Material”).
In consideration of the mutual promises made herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge, I hereby grant to BBBSA and its affiliates the right to use the Released Material as BBBSA and/or its affiliates may desire, in all media now existing or hereafter created and in all variations and forms including, but not limited to, internal or external publications or productions, informational or recruitment materials, marketing materials, fundraising materials, televised photography and/or recordings, advertisements, Public Service Announcements, and/or online and social media sites. The use of this information shall be at the sole discretion of BBBSA and/or its affiliates.

I further grant to BBBSA and its affiliates the absolute right to use the Released Material in whole or in part, alone or in conjunction with any other image, name, writings or reproduction, in color or otherwise, for art, advertising, business, trade, or any other lawful purpose whatsoever, in perpetuity throughout the world.

I understand and agree that all materials created by BBBSA and/or its affiliates that use the Released Materials are the property of and are owned by BBBSA, and that I cannot authorize their use by any other party.  I further understand that BBBSA may authorize their use by a third party. I hereby irrevocably transfer and assign to BBBSA my entire right, title and interest, if any, in and to the Released Materials and all copyrights in the Released Materials arising in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including the right to register and sue to enforce such copyrights against infringers.

I acknowledge and agree that I have no right to review or approve the Released Materials before they are used by BBBSA and/or its affiliates, and that BBBSA has no liability to me for any editing or alteration of the Released Materials or for any distortion or other effects resulting from BBBSA’s and/or its affiliates’ editing, alteration or use of the Released Materials.  BBBSA has no obligation to use the Released Materials or to exercise any rights given by this Consent and Release Form.

I hereby release BBBSA and its affiliates, employees, and agents, as well as any partner companies, from all claims, demands or liabilities and related financial costs that I may now or hereafter have arising in connection with BBBSA’s exercise of the rights hereby granted, and/or with the appearance or the Released Materials in any publication or production. These include, without limitation, claims for compensation, defamation, or invasion of privacy, or other infringements or violations of personal or property rights of any sort whatsoever.

Child Safety Guidelines and Ground Rules for Volunteers                                                                      

With over 100 years of mentoring experience the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America along with its affiliates has created policies, procedures, and overall support systems to allow for positive, healthy and safe mentor match relationships to be created.  As a volunteer mentor applicant it is important for you to be informed and receive explanation of the ground rules held by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, Inc., referred to as the ‘Agency’ for the remainder of this document.   Upon completion of the document review you should have a clear understanding of essential guidelines for our local mentoring program.  Please read each statement below and initial on the line as acknowledgement of your understanding and agreement to abide by the ground rules below.

 

I understand as a volunteer mentor that I am not guaranteed to receive a mentor match and that if the Agency cannot identify a youth mentee that will provide a positive, strong and enduring mentor relationship to pair me with that my file could be closed.


I understand as a volunteer mentor that I agree to remain in regular contact with my Agency case manager(s) and if I do not return calls, emails or in-person meeting requests that my involvement may be terminated by the Agency.


I understand as a volunteer mentor that the Agency makes regular updates to policies, procedures and ground rules and that I may be asked to review and agree to updates throughout my involvement with the Agency.


I understand that if paired with a mentee the Agency will set the appropriate boundaries for my mentor match and I agree to openly listen, follow suggestions, and be a willing participant in coaching from my Agency case manager(s)


I understand that if paired with a mentee I will be asked to choose & participate in activities with my mentee that directly relate to mentor match goals developed with the Agency case manager(s), Guardian and mentee.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree to follow instructions regarding mentor match outings as per to the number of outings within a month provided by my Agency case manager(s).  


I also understand that the typical mentor match outing schedule is two times a month with outings lasting no more than 4 hours.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I must schedule match outings with the parent/guardian.  I agree to not schedule outings directly with my mentee as to avoid any confusion, miscommunication and to insure parental/guardian approval of activities has been obtained.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree not to bring other individuals on my mentor match outings without pre-approval from the Agency and the pre-approval of the guardian of my mentee. Any individuals who attend a mentor match outing, if approved, still do not fall under the liability insurance of the Agency and will need to be informed of this prior to involvement.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree to not bring my mentee to my home for the first three months of my mentor match and that I cannot bring my mentee to my home after the three month waiting period without pre-approval of the Agency and the guardian of my mentee.  I also understand that I may not be approved to bring my mentee to my home as activities for the Agency program are meant to be in the community as a whole.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree to not purchase items for my mentee without pre-approval from the Agency.  I understand that gift giving is not recommended as a whole by the Agency and that if my mentee or mentee’s family has needs for material necessities that it is my responsibility to inform the Agency to provide referrals.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree to be a trusted adult friend, a positive role model and a nurturer of possibilities.  I understand that to hold these three characteristics that I agree to not do harm to my mentee in any manner, to be proactive in problem solving issues, to remain committed to the match relationship and to be responsible in my actions towards my mentee at all times.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree to contact my Agency case manager(s) with any concerns, match obstacles, changes, or updates in a proactive manner.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I may be asked to participate in training opportunities and am open to do so.  I will share with my Agency case manager(s) what type of training is best suited for me at any given time (in-person, on-line, phone conference etc.)


I understand if paired with a mentee that I am responsible for maintaining their personal and family confidentiality and will need to abide by Agency guidance when utilizing social media accounts in regards to my mentee, mentee’s family and my volunteer mentor involvement with the Agency.  I understand that the Agency may ask me to remove posts or change privacy of a social media post if it involves my mentee, mentee’s family or my volunteer mentor involvement with the Agency.


I understand that agency staff and I will hold my Littles disclosures related to my Little’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation confidential if my Little does not want that information shared with their parent guardian.  Agency staff and I will encourage my Little to find a safe and supported way to share this information with their parent guardian when they are ready to do so.


I understand if paired with a mentee that I agree not to consume alcohol or any other substance that could alter my mental/physical abilities prior or during mentor match outings. 


I understand that if paired with a mentee that I agree to drive responsibly and abide by all driving laws when transporting my mentee inclusive, but not limited to maintaining active car insurance, wearing safety belts, adhering to speed limits


I understand that if paired with a mentee that I agree to not show and/or view movies, TV shows, online videos, magazines or other materials that include explicit sexual content at any time with my mentee.  I agree to discuss any movies, shows or online content with my Agency case manager(s) prior to engaging with my mentee if it is PG-13 or greater. 


I understand that if paired with a mentee that I agree to abide by state and federal safety laws when engaging in activities with my mentee.  This is inclusive, but not limited to water/boating activities, sporting/martial arts activities, and other activities that could result in injury.  I agree to consult with my Agency case manager(s) if I am unsure of what state or federal laws may require for an activity I wish to engage in with my mentee.


I understand that if paired with a mentee that I agree to abide by the Agency’s overnight and out of town policy and insure to receive approval by my Agency case manager(s) before discussing an activity of this manner with my mentee.  I understand that I am not expected or encouraged to have overnight or out of town trips with my mentee and that I may never be approved to do so as approval is at the discretion of the Agency.


I understand if paired with a mentee I agree to use common sense when choosing match activities as my behavior must be within the parameters of acceptable community standards.  I agree to not engage in any activity that may have negative or questionable effect on my mentee without prior consultation with my Agency case manager(s).


I have had the opportunity to discuss the above ground rules with an Agency representative.  I understand that if I were to violate any ground rules listed above and/or omit details in match activities that may be a violation of the above ground rules that my involvement with the Agency can be terminated.  Furthermore, I am aware by this written statement that the Agency documents all interactions & communications in an internal database that is shared with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America therefore if I do violate any ground rules it will be viewable by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.


The Agency has taken steps to inform both parent/guardian and mentee concerning the above issues.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding our expectations and requirements, please speak with the Agency case manager(s) 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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