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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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.  









FIREARMS AND WEAPONS GUIDELINES & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is the policy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso (BBBSEP) that all agency volunteers agree:
  1. Carrying a firearm and weapon while with your Little is prohibited by the agency. BBBSEP explicitly prohibits all volunteers from carrying a firearm/weapon while participating in any BBBSEP activity including the match with a Little. BBBSEP explicitly prohibits volunteers from involving a Little in an activity that involves a dangerous weapon. Activities such as hunting, target shooting, paint ball games, or the use of BB or pellet guns are prohibited.
  2. That any weapons, firearms or ammunition are licensed, permitted, registered, and handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws.
  3. To inform BBBSEP of the ownership of any weapons or the presence of weapons in the home. BBBSEP 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, handguns, zip guns, knives (except for kitchen knives and small pocket knives not used or intended for use as a weapon or to inflict bodily injury) and explosive devices.
  4. To ensure that weapons and ammunition are inaccessible to the child assigned to you by BBBSEP and to any other child participating in BBBSEP, while the child is under your supervision. The means of ensuring the inaccessibility will be discussed during the interview and/or home visit.
  5. That any firearm or weapon in my home will be stored with a trigger locking mechanism separately from its ammunition and keep both the ammunition and the firearm in a locked location inaccessible to my Little.
  6. To adhere to the policy that a volunteer will not carry a firearm at any time while accompanying the child assigned to you by BBBSEP or accompanying any other child participating in a BBBS activity.
  7. To understand that BBBSEP 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.
  8. If I am a Law Enforcement Officer and am required to carry a firearm at all times, it will be in my possession and inaccessible to my Little at all times while I am with my Little or accompanying any other child participating in a BBBS activity. I may be asked by BBBSEP to provide proof that I am a Law Enforcement Officer and permitted by state and federal laws to carry a firearm.
  9. To abide by any other policy or procedure that BBBSEP may put into effect regarding weapons.

CONFIDENTIALITY/COMMITMENT POLICY

Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso respects the confidentiality of clients and volunteers.  All records are considered the property of the agency. Records are not available for review by clients or volunteers.  Information will not be released expect in the following circumstances:
  1. Information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the client or volunteers written consent.
  2. Identifying information regarding clients and volunteers may be used in agency publications or promotional materials unless the client or volunteer requests otherwise.
  3. For the purpose of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with 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.
  4. Members of the Board of Directors or evaluators appointed by the Board have access to client files upon authorization of the Board of Directors.
  5. Information shall be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.
  6. Information shall be provided to funders, fiscal agents, and/or partners.
  7. Information shall be provided to an agency's legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency.
  8. State law mandates that suspected child abuse be reported to the appropriate authorities.
  9. If an agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to himself or herself or to others, necessary steps may be taken to protect the appropriate party.  This may include medical referral or report to the local law enforcement authorities.
  10. At the time the child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, information is shared between the prospective match parties.  The information about the volunteer may include items such as: age, sex, race, religion, interest, hobbies, marriage, family status, sexual orientation, living situation, etc.  Information about a client may include such items as age, sex, race, religion, interest, hobbies, family situations, etc.
I authorize and/or commit to the following:
  • to participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program; 
  • BBBSEP may deny any application at any time without explanation or reason.  
  • to complete a questionnaire containing questions about, home life, and personal interests; 
  • to allow BBBSEP to investigate my background and to check my character references; 
  • to use my photograph and first name for the purpose of publicity efforts by Big Brothers Big Sisters;
  • to make a commitment to be matched for a minimum of 1 year 
  • to be in contact with the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff monthly to provide feedback on my program participation and my little brother/sister; and
  • to contact my Match Support Specialist if I ever have any misgivings about the friendship between my little and their parent.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Rationale: Big Brothers Big Sisters of El Paso, recognizes that online social networking (Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs, etc.) has become a very popular communications tool and that many of our Big Brothers/Sisters and Little Brothers/Sisters use these websites. In general, personal use of social networking sites is typically for communications between peers, including friends and family. BBBS wants to reiterate that your relationship with your Little is that of a mentor in addition to a friend. Not all social networking sites are designed to support mentoring relationships.

As a volunteer (BIG), your actions, speech, and statements whether in person, on the phone, in print, or online are reflective of our organization as a whole. Before you post information online that relates in any way to being a Big or your “Little,” please review and become familiar with the following guidelines.

To protect our children and their families, we expect Volunteers, Parent/Guardian, and Child to adhere to the following BBBS affiliate Digital Technology and Social Networking Policy, to ALL guidelines defined by social media sites, and to ALL state and federal laws. BBBS affiliate reserves the right to monitor the social networking activities of Volunteers, and to request that a Volunteer delete inappropriate information from a social media site. If a Volunteer is seen using social networking in an excessively inappropriate manner, his or her relationship with BBBS could be terminated.
I. Child Safety and Appropriate Social Networking

Child safety is our #1 priority. Volunteers choosing to engage in social media are expected to maintain an appropriate presence on social media, even if they are not “connected” with their Little through social media sites. Volunteers serve as role models for a child and the community. 
  • Volunteer should ensure that posts, tweets, photos and comments are appropriate and kid-friendly.
II. Confidentiality and Privacy

BBBS affiliate requires its Volunteers to respect the confidentiality and privacy of the children and families of Big Brothers Big Sisters in every respect, including social networking. This applies even if the Volunteer is not “connected” with their Little through social media sites. Volunteers must follow these requirements regarding confidentiality on their own and others’ social media sites.
  • Written parental permission is required to post, share or tweet photos or videos of their Little. If parent consent is not given the Volunteer is prohibited from posting, sharing and/or tweeting any photos and/or videos of their Little.
  • Volunteers should never post, share, tweet or tag their Little’s full name, location, city, address, school or other personal information such as where his/her parent/guardian works.
  • Volunteers should not use geo-positioning applications when they are with their Little.
III. “Connecting” with Littles Through Social Networking

Volunteers may not initiate or accept an invitation to “connect” or “follow” his/her Little or member of the Little’s family on any social media site without written parental permission.

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 [BBBSA affiliate] 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.


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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