Volunteer

1. Please be consistent and dependable. Your Little must LEARN to trust you. For instance, don't oversleep, break dates or make promises you can't keep.
2. Give your Little the opportunity to help you! It makes him or her feel important and needed. For example, ask your Little for help with washing your car or making dinner.
3. Avoid discussing your Little's situation or problems in a negative manner, especially when your Little is present. If you need to talk to someone, call your Case Manager.
4. Try to set small, realistic goals with your Little to further his or her personal growth. Try to make achieving these goals fun ? and reward the child when he or she achieves the goal! Small accomplishments build confidence and self-esteem.
5. Be supportive of your Little's parent or legal guardian, even if you disagree with his or her words or actions. Do not interfere if the parent or legal guardian disciplines the child while you are present. Try not to make judgments concerning family situations.
6. Leave the ''parenting'' to the parent. However, it is appropriate to correct your Little's misbehavior within the context of your friendship. You are not responsible to be a parent, taxicab service, probation officer, ''child-saver,'' or Santa Claus for your Little. Simply be a friend!
7. Feel free to say ''no'' to any unusual requests. You are not expected to take your Little's siblings along on your visits, babysit for your Little or any siblings, or lend the parent or guardian money.
8. Make a habit of seeing your Little on a regular basis. It is recommended that you plan activities with your Little several times a month, for three to five hours each visit. Big Brothers or Big Sisters who attempt to schedule more time than this often find it difficult to sustain such a schedule for an extended period of time, and a decrease in time spent together can be very disappointing to a Little.
9. In order to build a meaningful relationship and to establish trust with your Little, Big Brothers Big Sisters recommends that you do not include anyone else in your visits for at least for the first three months of your match.
10. Let your Little share in the decision making about the activities you choose.
11. Always call your Little and his or her parent or legal guardian in advance of picking up the child. Try to give your Little a sense of what you have planned so he or she can dress appropriately. Always try to return your Little at the time the parent or legal guardian is expecting and if this might change, call the parent or legal guardian as soon as possible.
12. Overnight visits may be one form of activity in a successful match. Permission from the Little's parent or legal guardian and provision for separate sleeping arrangements are always required. During the first year of a match, prior consultation with and consent of Big Brothers Big Sisters is necessary. It is recommended that the volunteer discuss such proposed activity with the parent and Case Manager before raising it with the Little.
13. Keep in touch with your Case Manager! He or she will contact you once a month during the first year, and once every three months for the duration of your match. Let your Case Manager know what problems you encounter and the activities you plan. Share your funny stories and relay the changes you see in your Little as he or she grows up.
14. The time you share with your Little is more important than the amount of money you spend on him or her. If you choose to do activities that cost money, you are responsible for paying for your Little.
15. Be yourself, we trust you!

School Friends

1. Be consistent and dependable. Your Little must LEARN to trust you. For instance, don't break dates or make promises you can't keep.
2. Avoid discussing your Little's situation or problems in front of them with other people.
3. Set realistic directions and goals for your Little and try to make their achievement fun!
4. Don't make judgments concerning any family situation. It is, however, appropriate to correct misbehavior within the context of the relationship, but leave ''parenting'' to the parent/guardian.
5. Let your Little share in making decisions about the activities the two of you choose.
6. Let your case manager know what problems you encounter and let them know the good news too!
7. We trust you! Be yourself.

Guardian

1. Give the friendship time. This type of a relationship needs time to develop - at least three months - so do not judge too quickly.
2. Get to know your child's Big Brother/Sister so you can feel comfortable with him/her.
3. Help your child be considerate towards the Big Brother/Sister. Please do not impede their relationship with excessive questioning. This is your child's relationship.
4. Let the volunteer know that his or her efforts are appreciated.
5. If there is something about the relationship that concerns you, contact your counselor immediately.
6. The Big Brother/Sister is not a trained professional, nor is he/she perfect. You might disagree with the volunteer at times, but forgive minor mistakes.
7. The Big Brother/Sister will obtain your approval for all outings. Be flexible. Remember the Big Brother/Sister has a busy schedule.
8. Please do not discuss your child with the Big Brother/Sister in the presence of your child. If you think there is something he/she should know, call the volunteer when your child is not present.
9. Remember the relationship that exists is between your child and their Big Brother/Sister. Including other family members, in most cases, is not recommended.
10. The Big Brother/Sister should not become involved in discipline of the Little Brother/Sister. The volunteer is a friend, not a parent.
11. The parent/guardian should not deprive the child of the weekly visit with the Big Brother/Sister as a means of discipline.
12. The parent/guardian does not discuss personal problems with the Big Brother/Sister. The case managers are available to discuss problems relating to your child.