Big Onboarding Packet

BBBS7 appreciates your commitment to being a Big and serving at-risk youth!

Big Onboarding Packet

Step 1 of 2

  • Confidentiality Policy

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters 7 Rivers Region (BBBS7) respects the confidentiality of youth and their families as well as volunteer records and, with exception of situations listed below, shares information about youth and their families and volunteers only among agency professional staff. All records are considered property of the agency and not the agency workers or clients or volunteers themselves. Records are not available for review by the clients or volunteers.

     1 - Information will be released to other individuals or non-BBBS organizations only with the client or volunteer’s written consent.

     2 - For the purposes of program evaluation, audit, or accreditation, and with the 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.

     3 - For the purposes of program evaluation, members of the Board of Directors or evaluators appointed by the Board have access to client files upon authorization of the Board of Directors.

     4 - Any person granted access to agency child or volunteer files will sign a confidentiality agreement.

     5 - Information shall only be provided to law enforcement officials or the courts pursuant to a valid and enforceable subpoena.

     6 - Information shall be provided to an agency’s legal counsel in the event of litigation or potential litigation involving the agency.

     7 - State law requires professionals who work with children and their families to make a child protection report if they know or have reason to believe a child is being neglected or abused or has been neglected or abused within the preceding years.
     *** In Minnesota, our volunteers, as our delegates, are also mandated reporters and are required to report suspected child abuse to the appropriate authorities. In Minnesota reports can be made by calling the appropriate county human services offices.

     8 - If an agency worker receives information indicating that a client or volunteer may be dangerous to himself or herself or others, necessary steps may be taken to protect the appropriate party. This may include a medical referral or report to the local law enforcement authorities.

     9 - At the time a child or volunteer is considered as a match candidate, anonymous assessment information is shared between the prospective match parties. The information about the volunteer may include, but is not limited to, such items as: age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, marital status, family status, sexual orientation and living situation. Information about the child may include, but is not limited to, such items as: age, sex, race, religion, interests, hobbies, and family background. Any party has the right to refuse to enter into the match based on the information so communicated.

    I agree to the Confidentiality Policy:
  • It is important that you as a volunteer fully understand agency rules and policies. A violation of a rule or policy may endanger your right to coverage by the agency’s policy or may result in the closure of your match.

  • Volunteer Responsibilities - Safety

  • I understand BBBS7 staff and volunteers are mandated reporters. This means BBBS7 is required by law to report any reasonable suspicions/signs of child abuse or neglect. I must contact my Match Specialist (MSS) immediately if I have concerns about the safety of my Little or someone in my Little’s family.
  • I understand that BBBS7 follows state laws and recommendations that children ages 4-7 MUST sit in the backseat in a booster seat, and children ages 8-12 should sit in the backseat. Seat belts are required AT ALL times for both Bigs and Littles. (Please be aware you may have to purchase a booster seat if the family does not have a seat you can borrow. Contact your Match Support Specialist if you have questions.)
  • My Little and I will wear appropriate safety gear when biking, swimming, boating, etc.
  • I understand I must supervise my Little at all times. I will never leave my Little unattended or with any other person during our outings.
  • I understand BBBS7 has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for illegal drug use. I understand smoking or consuming any alcohol or illegal drug is PROHIBITED before and/or during activities with my Little.

  • Volunteer Responsibilities - Match Support

  • I understand keeping in touch with my Match Specialist (MSS) is a REQUIREMENT of the program.
  • I understand BBBS7 requires me to be in contact with my Match Support Specialist every 30 days. I will be prepared to discuss my Little’s behavior and our recent activities. I will return contact attempts made by my Match Support Specialist.
  • I understand that if I have concerns or a problem arises in my match relationship, either with my Little or my Little’s caregiver, it is my responsibility to contact my Match Support Specialist immediately.
  • I understand a lack of communication, or unreturned communications, with my Match Support Specialist could result in my match being closed if I am not in compliance with BBBS7 standards.
  • I understand I must contact my Match Support Specialist promptly regarding any changes in my address, email or phone number.
  • I understand the importance of properly ending my match relationship and I will actively participate in the closure procedures as requested by my Match Support Specialist.

  • Volunteer Responsibilities - Friendship

  • I understand I am expected to spend time with my Little 3-4 times per month for at least 18 months. It is my responsibility to ensure weekly contact is made.
  • I understand the focus of the BBBS7 program is to spend one-on-one time with my Little . I will obtain my Little’s caregiver’s permission on the rare occasion of including others on our outings.
  • I understand communication with BBBS7 and Little is key to the success of the match.
  • I understand my Little and I may come from different backgrounds. I will be open-minded and non-judgmental regarding my Little and my Little’s family.

  • Volunteer Responsibilities - Boundaries

  • I understand physical contact such as backrubs, sitting on laps, wrestling or tickling is not allowed. Physical displays of affection should be limited to a handshake, high-five, pat on the back or a hug initiated by my Little.
  • I understand it’s appropriate for me to correct misbehavior of my Little within the context of the relationship, but I will leave the parenting/discipline to my Little’s caregiver. I will never use physical contact or abusive language to correct my Little’s behavior.
  • I will always choose safe, age-appropriate activities and environments for my Little and me. I will discuss and obtain permission from my Little’s caregiver for each match activity.
  • I understand I am encouraged to do activities at a nominal cost, but I should expect to spend some money while in the program. Families are often not able to contribute money, so I will keep this in mind when planning our activities.
  • I understand a healthy relationship between myself and my Little’s caregiver is important, but I am not expected to provide funds, run errands or serve as a resource for my Little’s family.
  • I understand gift giving should be limited to special occasions and will receive prior approval from my Little’s caregiver before giving my Little a gift.
  • It is important that you as a volunteer fully understand agency rules and policies. A violation of a rule or policy may endanger your right to coverage by the agency’s policy or may result in the closure of your match.

  • Firearm Policy

  • A volunteer who owns firearms and stores them at his/her residence or any other location will lock the weapons or install trigger locks whenever a Little is at or near the storage area. Ammunition will be stored separately from the weapons and inaccessible to the Little. Firearms or accessories will never be accessed or used during any activities with a Little. By signing this Firearm Policy I agree to abide by all Firearm guidelines set forth by the Big Brothers Big Sisters 7 Rivers Region Agency.

  • Driver’s License & Auto Liability Insurance

  • If any changes are made to my insurance and/or driver’s license, I will inform BBBS7 with updated copies.

    I agree that I will notify the agency of any loss of driving privileges during the extent of my match. If a Big Brother or Big Sister uses their own vehicle while volunteering their time with a Little, the volunteer’s own auto liability insurance is primary (pays for injuries and damages caused to other parties). Volunteers should discuss these issues with their insurance agent to confirm that they have the appropriate coverage. In the event of an accident, regardless of the fact that the Big was with the Little at the time of the accident, the volunteer will be responsible for submitting the claim for the injuries and damages to their own insurance company for payment. Furthermore, in the event a volunteer’s vehicle is damaged while volunteering on behalf of BBBS7, the Big will need to look to their own comprehensive or collision coverage (whichever is applicable) to reimburse them for their damages. BBBS7 is not responsible for and will not pay for the damage caused to a volunteer’s vehicle. Once again, it is the volunteer’s responsibility to speak with their insurance agent regarding any questions.
  • Upload image of your drivers license
    Max. file size: 64 MB.
  • Upload image of your auto insurance information
    Max. file size: 64 MB.
  • You will be asked to provide a copy of your Driver's License & Insurance Card to your Enrollment Specialist if you do not provide those here