While some adults possess weapons for hunting and/or protection purposes, it is the policy of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) that all agency volunteers agree:

1. To inform BBBS of the ownership of weapons or the presence of weapons in the home. BBBS staff will discuss the ownership of weapons during the volunteer’s interview and/or home assessment, and update that status for the life of the match. For purposes of this policy, “weapons” may include all firearms, zip guns, knives (except for kitchen knives that are not used or intended for use as a weapon or to inflict bodily injury) and explosive devices.

2. To ensure that weapons and ammunition are inaccessible to the child assigned to you by BBBS and to any other child participating in a BBBS activity, while the child is under your supervision. A Volunteer who owns firearms and stores them at his/her residence or any other location will lock the weapons in a safe or install trigger locks whenever a Little is at or near the storage area.  Ammunition must be stored separately from firearm or it can be locked in a safe with the firearm.  

3. To adhere to the policy that a volunteer will not carry a handgun or weapon (even if volunteer has a “concealed carry license”) at any time while accompanying the child assigned to you by BBBS or accompanying any other child participating in a BBBS activity (with the exception of law enforcement officers who are required to carry a weapon at all times and have received prior approval from BBBS).

4. To understand that BBBS will disclose to the parent or guardian of the child assigned to you by BBBS the agency’s weapons policy and the volunteer’s admission of weapon ownership or the presence of a weapon in the home. The parent/guardian and the volunteer will sign an acknowledgement of the ownership of a weapon and the form will be kept in the child’s permanent file.

5. To obtain written permission from the child’s parent/guardian and from BBBS before engaging in any activity in which a weapon may be used with the child assigned to you by BBBS or with any other child participating in BBBS activities.

6. To abide by any other policy or procedure that BBBS may put into effect regarding weapons. 

Purpose & Scope of Policy

When used appropriately, BBBS believes that social media is a tool that can be utilized in the communication and strengthening of the bond between the Big, Little, Parent and agency. Social Media includes, but is not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Myspace, blogs, buzzfeeds, snapchats and other sites.

As a condition of being a Volunteer Big, volunteer Bigs must read, understand, and agree to abide by this Policy.  Failure to adhere to this Policy may result in the early termination of a match relationship.

Affiliate Position on Use of Social Media

BBBS encourages volunteer Bigs to using age appropriate Social Media with Littles, Little’s parent/guardian(s), family members in accordance with the guidelines of this policy.

BBBS requires volunteer Bigs and parent/legal guardian(s) of the Little to actively opt-in or opt-out of participation in social media with regards to the match relationship. In order for the Big to post any picture or name, the primary parent/guardian’s consent must be given. Otherwise, only generic information may be used.

If either party does not consent, the other party may not specifically identify or communicate with said party within the context of social media.

If a Parent/Guardian or Big chooses to not opt-in and sign the Photo/Social Media Release form, examples of prohibited activities include:

            -Posting photos of person

            -Tagging or Listing of name in a post or photo

            -Checking in at particular locations, specifically identifying the Big or Little

Overall Monitoring of Safety, Confidentiality & Privacy

If a Big or Parent/Guardian chooses to use social media within the context of the match relationship, the Big and Parent/Guardian shall agree to the following:

-Terms of use of specific Social Media sites

Upon opting in, each Volunteer Big/Parent/Guardian will certify that s/he has reviewed 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 the Littles.

-Privacy settings

Upon opting in, each volunteer Big, if using Social Media with their Little, has 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.

-Monitoring for legal, respectful, appropriate content

Upon opting in, each 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.  If a party observes any social media interactions that are disrespectful, illegal, or inappropriate material, the other party is instructed to contact MSS immediately.

-Enhanced restrictions for access to site by Little

Upon opting in, each volunteer Big will use Social media privacy controls and settings to restrict accessibility of the Little to age appropriate content, including wall comments.

-Process for reporting misuse, endangerment

Upon opting in, each volunteer Big understands what to do in the case of viewing any information on the Little’s Social Media site that may endanger that Little’s health, safety, and welfare.  Volunteer Big should contact MSS immediately and understand that it is required by Indiana State law to report child abuse to law enforcement personnel.

-Confidentiality / Privacy of Little/Little’s family

Upon opting in, volunteer Bigs should not disclose personal information about the Little or their family. Information might include but are not limited to: address, phone number, first and last names, private locations, occupations, other members of the family or problems and concerns that would required match support conversations. Volunteer Bigs are permitted to share match activities, success stories and positive feedback about the program.

-Access to information and reposting from the affiliate’s site

Whether opting in or opting out, volunteer Bigs are not allowed to repost content from any “Bigs Only” pages on BBBS’s Facebook page or private section on the BBBS website, particularly if the content not available to the general public. However, volunteer Bigs are permitted and encouraged to share and repost information from the BBBS’s public Facebook page and website, especially promoting fundraising and recruitment efforts of the agency.

-Promotion and attribution

When a participant posts something regarding the agency, BBBS requests that participants consider the impact (positive or negative) of such posts. Volunteer Bigs should represent that their opinion(s), belief(s) and statements are personal, and do not represent the opinion(s), belief(s) or statements of BBBS.

Compliance

- Investigation non-compliance

BBBS will not actively monitor the volunteer Bigs Social media sites; however, if there is a complaint or inquiry, or BBBS becomes aware of a potential violation of this policy or any other, then BBBS has the right to access the volunteer Big’s Social Media site for compliance purposes.

-Consequences of non-compliance

Based on the severity of non-compliance, consequences may range from putting the match on hold to termination of match relationship. If at any time BBBS observes anything that it suspects might put the child’s safety at risk, the agency will exhaust all methods to protect the safety of the child.

Process for distribution of Social Media Policy

This policy will be distributed to volunteer Bigs and Parent/Guardians at the time of Enrollment.

The social security number will be collected by BBBS Staff during the enrollment process and entered automatically into the secure Match Force (MF) computer system provided to our agency by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The purpose of entering the social security number into the MF system is the following:

Upon clicking the box below, I agree to willingly share my social security number with Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region for the purpose of entry into the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America national Agency Information Management System data base in order to ensure that I have never been determined to be inappropriate for volunteer service to children by a Big Brothers Big Sisters’ agency member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America network. I understand that the MF system is fully encrypted and is not available to any/all persons. I understand that any printed or digital copy of my social security number will be shredded/blacked out upon entry into the MF system.

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 occurrences. I understand that BBBS staff needs to be fully informed to provide the best guidance or support possible.

By UPON SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION, I CONSENT TO AND UNDERSTAND THAT:

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

2. The information I have provided may be used to conduct background checks, to include a search of public domain records, driving records check, juvenile and adult criminal history check, 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 and with exceptions noted below. 

8. I understand that incidents of child abuse or neglect, past or present, must 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 timely communication and follow-up with all agency staff.

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

I certify that all information I have provided or will provide to Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region, including this application, is true, correct 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 on my application will be verified by Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region. I understand that misrepresentations or omissions may be cause for my immediate rejection as an applicant or my termination as a volunteer.

I fully understand my responsibilities and requirements in the match relationship and as a participant of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.  I agree to comply, to the best of my ability, with the Guidelines and Ground Rules set forth.

After clicking SUBMIT you will be prompted to sign and enter your email address. Then you will receive an email with a confirmation and a copy of this document. Thank you!