Welcome to the Best Buddies Interest Meeting!

Contact Information Club Advisors, Dr. Sugerman and Ms. Eiss President, Hannah Levinson Vice President, Gaby Eseverri Vice President, Emma Bartleman

What is Best Buddies? Best Buddies is an international organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies seeks to create long-lasting friendships between students with and without intellectual developmental disabilities. (IDD)

Types of Membership Peer Buddy Paired with a student with IDD Expected to meet with your Buddy at least twice a month (club events included) They are the “Buddy” and you are the “Peer Buddy.” Associate Member Not paired with a “Buddy.” Still required to attend all events and meetings

Being Matched ●Members who wish to become Peer Buddies and be matched with a Buddy can follow these steps: ○ Attend the September 15th ‘Speed Friendships’ event after school in the Media Center and get to know the Buddies ○ Attend the September 16th ‘Interviews.’ ○ Meet your Buddy on September 30 th at the ‘Match Party.’

Requirements for Membership There are 3 of them!

1. Membership Application ALL members must fill out an application. ●cbhsbestbuddies.com ●Due by September 16 th at the Interviews in the Dell Lab or in room 312.

2. Membership Dues All members must pay membership dues of $25 WITH THEIR APPLICATION ●Bring to room 312 (cash or check) ●Checks must be made out to “Cypress Bay High School.” What they cover: ●Membership to the Best Buddies chapter at Cypress Bay ●A club t-shirt ●Entry to all after-school and night events hosted by the club

3. Registration Online All students must register online as members at bestbuddiesonline.org ●Navigate to the ‘High School’ tab under “Membership Application” ●Fill out the required information ●Make sure to select Cypress Bay as your chapter school Once completed, your application will be sent to the president to be approved. Registration must be completed by September 16 th.

Once you have completed the three steps above... Congrats! You are now a member of the Best Buddies club at Cypress Bay!

Fundraising ●Our club’s main source of funds come from our Pizazz Pens fundraiser. ●Pizazz Pens is a microenterprise created at Cypress Bay where Buddys can learn basic skills such as counting money/making change by selling pens on campus. ●Members are required to sell a minimum 5 pens at $2 each. A list of available pen designs are available on the website under “Pizazz Pens.” ●Orders placed must be turned in to room 312.

Schedule ●General Meetings - first Wednesday of every month ●After-school and Night Events - once or twice a month ●Members are required to come to all events ●After two missed meetings/events, you will be contacted. ● tentative schedule is posted online at cbhsbestbuddies.com

Tentative Schedule for September 9/15 – Speed Friendships (Media Center) 9/16 – Interviews (Dell Lab) 9/30- Match Party (Media Center)

Casual Events ●In addition to in-school events, we also host off-campus events. These events are optional to attend, but are a great opportunity to hang out with your buddy! ●You will be ed about these events (once or twice a month).

Graduation Cords We offer graduation cords! The requirements are: ●An officer position ●Peer Buddy Junior and Senior year ●Three years of participation as an Associate Member

Remind 101!! Take out your cell phones! Text This is our easy way to remind you of our meetings and events

Follow us! Follow us on Instagram and Twitter

Thank you for coming! ●We hope to see you all on September 15th for our Speed Friendships! ●Tell your friends to join!