Become A Big - Volunteer Application

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Congratulations on taking the first step to becoming a Big! 

DEFENDING POTENTIAL
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. Big Brothers Big Sisters focuses on one-to-one mentoring relationships which help youth in the program build their self-esteem, foster stronger relationships, have higher aspirations, and set and achieve goals. 
Non-Discrimination Policy
Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Lake Michigan Region follows a non-discrimination policy that prohibits exclusion of potential volunteer Bigs, youth, parents/guardians, board members, or agency staff on the basis of race, color, religion, age, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other protected class.
Becoming a Big 

Being a Big is not complicated or time consuming. By showing up, being consistent, and being dependable you will make a positive, long lasting impact on the life of a Little!

If you have the desire to be a mentor, role model, and friend to a child in your community, and love to have fun - you have got what it takes to be a Big! You also have to have your driver's license and reliable transportation. 

As you consider becoming a Big, think about any significant life changes that can negatively impact your ability to spend time with your Little. While none of the events listed below disqualify you from becoming a Big, we do want you to to consider them as they could ultimately impact the quality and length of your match. Looking forward two years do you anticipate the following significant life events?

  • Changing jobs or employment status
  • Martial or family changes (marriage, divorce, pregnancy, adoption, caring for a parent, etc.)
  • Moving (within or out of town)
  • School status (busy semester, traveling abroad, changing schools, graduating)
Being a Big isn't about finding time to spend with your Little. It is about inviting a young person into the life that you are already living.

From the moment you are matched, the agency provides professional support by offering mentoring resources, free or budget friendly ideas for activities, and occasional agency sponsored group activities, such as ice skating, picnics, roller skating, and more!


Overall, the agency is funded by private donations, grants and fundraising activities. The agency is a not-for-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible. Participants are not required, but encouraged, to help with fundraising and promotional activities. 


To apply for any of our programs, you will need to have names and email addresses for 3 references. If you have worked or volunteered with youth within the last five years, we will also need the name and contact information for the organization you worked with. 


Be prepared to upload an image of your driver's license or State ID. If you are applying for Community Based or Site Based Plus programs, you will also need a copy of your current proof of auto insurance. 


Click NEXT PAGE to begin! 

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Your Information

Basic Information


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Program Interest and References

Program Interest



For Law Enforcement and Badge Carrying Public Servants

Bigs with Badges is a program aimed at recruiting local law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and any other badge carrying public service workers to serve as mentors to youth. Meetings between the Big and Little take place anywhere from one to four times per month, with each interaction averaging one to three hours. 

This program is offered in Community Based, Site Based, and Site Based Plus.  See below for more information on these frameworks.

Community Based matches do ordinary, everyday things. Bigs and Littles may have interests in common, such as fishing, cooking, baking, a love of arts and crafts, or maybe the Big has a special talent that the Little would like to learn about! They may try new things together, attend special events, or even volunteer together. A Community-Based Big can pick their Little up just to hang out, run errands, grab a bite to eat, or go for yummy ice cream treat.

The youth and volunteer generally see each other 2-4 times each month for 1-5 hours. Bigs and the Little’s caregiver work together to schedule a good time for outings.  

Before applying to become a Community Based Big, ask yourself if you can... 
  • Meet consistently with your Little for at least an hour twice a month.
  • Commit to being a Big to your Little for at least 12 months. The greatest impacts are made when a child has been matched with their mentor for at least a year.
  • Dedicate the time you carve out of your schedule for outings to be just for you and your Little. One-on-one time is essential to helping your Little achieve their full potential.
  • Maintain contact with BBBS each month. We will be there to support your match relationship and answer your questions, offer advice, to help you and your Little have a safe and fun relationship, and to share match activity ideas.
  • Have your own reliable transportation for meeting with your Little.

Site Based Plus Mentoring has all the same requirements and flexibility of the Community Based program with the additional opportunity for mentors to spend time with their Little at the Little's school or a community center they attend.


Site-Based mentoring is a one-to-one mentoring program with the child at their school, after school program, or community center. Of course the match could discuss schoolwork, read together, complete homework, but this is not a tutoring program. The emphasis is on friendship and guidance. Volunteers who participate in the Site Based mentoring program meet with their Littles for 30 minutes to an hour at least once every other week throughout the school year. Matches in the program do not meet outside of the Site Based setting. Site Based matches usually play board games, do homework, make art together or just hang out, talk and get to know each other. 

Enrollment for site based programs is open January  1 through October 31. 

Depending on when the application is received and if the applicant is accepted into programming, matches are introduced between August and December. 

Due to the nature of the school year, we do not create site based matches past August. We want to give you and your Little time to build trust and form a friendship before you have to take a break or transition to the next school year!  

Before applying to become a Site Based Big, ask yourself if you can:
  • Meet consistently with your Little for at least a half hour every week.
  • Commit to being a Big to your Little for at least one full school year.
  • Meet your Little during lunch time or directly after school. 
  • Maintain contact with BBBS each month. 
  • Have your own reliable transportation for meeting with your Little.


If you are unsure, please select the program that best fits your interest and BBBS staff can help you choose the program that's right for you. Please only select a Bigs with Badges program if you are a badge carrying public servant. Thank you!

If you are unsure, please select the program that best fits your interest and BBBS staff can help you choose the program that's right for you. Please only select a Bigs with Badges program if you are a badge carrying public servant. Thank you!







References
Please provide at least at least three references.

A reference from a Spouse or Significant Other is required. Substitute a family member if you do not have a Spouse or Significant Other. Please only list references that you have known for at least one year.







MUST BE AT LEAST 1 YEAR. Please do not enter months.







MUST BE AT LEAST 1 YEAR. Please do not enter months.







MUST BE AT LEAST 1 YEAR. Does not have to be current employer. Please do not enter months.
Youth Service Volunteer Experience
If you have worked with children in any capacity within the last 5 years, we need to speak with someone who can provide information about your interaction with kids. 

Examples of serving youth could include being a youth group pastor, Sunday School teacher, counselor at a camp, babysitting, nannying, teaching, coaching, etc. Think of this as a question asking about your experience/interaction with any children who are not in your family. 










Please do not enter months.


OPTIONAL

Social Media Background Checks

Social Media Platforms Used
A part of our enrollment process requires us to check applicant's social media presence. If you use social media, please indicate which social media platforms you use and your username/handle. 








Confidentiality Policy 

Confidentiality Agreement

Social Security Number & Participation Agreement

Social Security Number Agreement

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:


To verify that the social security number of the volunteer applicant does not match the social security number of any volunteer applicant previously determined inappropriate for volunteer service in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America MF data system.  If flagged by the MF system, an agency professional staff person will be alerted and will be required to follow up with the volunteer applicant within five (5) days to corroborate that the applicant is the same individual identified by the system. A copy of this agreement will be provided to all volunteer applicants upon request for their review. A social security number cannot be secured without the receipt of the signed release from the volunteer applicant providing the social security number. The signed release of the social security number (absent any written social security number) will be kept in confidential files.

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.


Participation Agreement

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.


Electronic Signature

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!