BBBS 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










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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.  
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin has two main program types:

Community-Based Mentoring (CB)
  • What it looks like: You and your mentee (Little) choose activities to do together in the community a few times each month. You will be in contact with the Little's parent/guardian to pick out activities, find dates that work for match meetings, and to coordinate transportation.
  • Activities: We encourage low or no-cost options, like playing a game at the library, going for a walk, or cooking a meal together in our mentoring center! 
  • Commitment: 1 year. However, some of our matches have been together for 10+ years!
Site/School-Based Mentoring (SB)
  • What it looks like: You will meet with your Little once a week at their school, during school hours, on the same day and time each week.
  • Activities: Crafts, board games, sports, etc.
  • Commitment: One full school year, but many matches continue for years! There are no meetings during the summer.
Ongoing Support
In both programs, mentors (Bigs) have a monthly check-in phone call with one of our Match Support Specialists. This helps ensure child safety and gives you the chance to ask questions or get support as your match grows.

As a reminder, this application is for those volunteers over 18 years of age. However, if you're interested in our High School Big program and under 18 please fill out this application instead: High School Big Volunteer Application 





Agency Weapons Policy

Firearm and Weapon Safety and Guidelines

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin fosters meaningful connections between youth and adults. At all times, child safety is our top priority. 

Any firearms and/or weapons ownership by the volunteer Big applicant must be: 
  • Disclosed to BBBS agency staff at enrollment and throughout the life of the match
  • Disclosed to the child's parent/guardian by agency staff
  • Made inaccessible at all times to a child while in the volunteer Big's care
The volunteer Big must also attest that any weapons, firearms, or ammunition owned are licensed, permitted, registered and handled in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws. 

However, there may be times when it is appropriate for a Little to participate in activities such as a hunter's safety course, hunting or archery if the parent/guardian and volunteer Big have both given their approval in advance. Before engaging in an activity with firearms or weapons, the parent must discuss the activity with their Enrollment and Match Support Specialist and the activity must be documented in the match file. Volunteers and staff must adhere to all requirements to protect child safety during these activities. 

When a volunteer Big is a law enforcement officer and must carry a weapon at all times as a condition of employment, agency professionals must document this job requirement as well as parent notification of the requirements and their approval of the condition prior to the initial match meeting. The volunteer Big's weapon should be inaccessible to the child at all times. 





Please provide the name, age, and relationship to you for anyone else residing in your home.


Release of Information Authorization for Background Check

Volunteer Background Check and Disclosure

A criminal history record check is required of all Volunteer Bigs, adults who live in the home of Community Based Bigs, agency staff, board members, and non-mentoring volunteers who come into meaningful contact with children. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin defines meaningful contact as having more than one contact in a quarter with the same child or group of children. 

For Volunteer Bigs, and adults who live in the home of Community-Based Bigs, a layered criminal history check is completed during the initial enrollment, every year thereafter for an active match, and at the time of re-enrollment for a re-match if more than 1 year has passed since the last check was completed. Bigs tagged under the OJJDP grant will be required to get fingerprinted. 

The agency will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws regulating the use of criminal history records. Layered criminal history checks will access criminal history on a state, local and national level. 

Potential Volunteer Bigs and volunteers who have been accepted as Volunteer Bigs will be disqualified, not accepted, or released if already accepted, for reasons including but not limited to: 

  • Failure to complete the application and screening process
  • History of sexual abuse of children
  • Conviction for any crime in which children were involved
  • History of any sexually exploitive behavior
  • Termination from a paid or volunteer position caused by misconduct with a child
  • Conviction, according to Wisconsin statues, of an alcohol or drug-related moving vehicle violation called Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), or in other contexts, called Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), drunken driving or operating while impaired
  • Conviction of a non-alcohol or drug-related moving vehicle violation that results in a driver's license suspension or revocation will be assessed further.
Bigs are required to notify the agency in the event of an arrest, charge, and/or conviction for anything other than misdemeanor traffic violations. Failure to do so is grounds for termination. After the agency has been notified, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin staff will determine whether the individual's involvement in the program should continue. 

Confidentiality and Digital Platform Policies


I understand that all records of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin are confidential. Records include, but are not limited to, all application materials, case supervision records and correspondence. The right to confidentiality applies not only to written records but also to video, film, pictures, and use of client or volunteer names in agency publications. In order to provide a service that is in the best interest of the children we serve, information from outside sources, including confidential references, must be assessed along with information gained from the clients and volunteers themselves. All records, including information from outside sources must be kept confidential and are therefore not available for review by the client or volunteer. 


I agree to adhere to the Confidentiality Policy described above and I agree to keep information discussed with me regarding a potential match confidential. I will not discuss this information with any person(s) other than the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin. 


I understand that following acceptance into the program, a profile is developed for both the child and volunteer. Profiles contain information about family situations, motivations, interests, personality, and information that may have an effect on the relationship. These details will be discussed with both the parent, volunteer, and the child's school prior to and during a match. All potential match participants have the right to refuse to enter into a match based upon the information communicated. All elements of the profiles will be kept confidential except if our staff receive information from a Big, parent, or Little that is potential harmful or illegal to either themselves, their families, their schools or the community at large. In addition, Big Brothers Big Sisters staff members are required to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child. Our staff and volunteers are trained to respond if  a child tells them about abuse. A report will be filed with authorities.


Bigs should not connect with parents, guardians, or Littles on social media or gaming platforms. Taking photos of match activities is encouraged but the Big should not personally post photos of their Little or any personal identifying information about their Little on social media. (Bigs ARE encouraged to share the photos they take with their Enrollment and Match Support Specialist and the child's parent/guardian)

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.

Child Safety Guidelines and Ground Rules for Volunteers                                                                      

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin is committed to child safety. It is our top priority and paramount object to ensure a child's well-being is served while in our organization. Any violations of policies, procedures, and contract rules is grounds for match suspension or termination. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters focuses on child safety and well-being throughout the length of the match by providing: 
  • Child safety and child abuse prevention education resources for volunteers, parents and children
  • Guidelines that establish appropriate boundaries and respect a child's right to feel safe
  • A Match Support Specialist for each match that maintains required, consistent scheduled support contacts with each member of the match party. 
Your role as a Big is to: 
  • Commit to a minimum of 1 year as a mentor
  • Emphasize friendship over changing behaviors
  • Decide on activities together and have fun
  • Be a consistent, patient and dependable friend
  • Have realistic expectations about the Little
  • Set limits and boundaries as needed
  • Place the child's safety and well-being first

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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