1. Brighter Days Policies and Procedures
11/7/2018
Brighter Days Policies and Procedures
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description
Volunteer Training

2. SPECIAL FAVORS
11/7/2018
Providing or asking for special favors to/from Guests is prohibited.
Word of special treatment provided to one guest spreads quickly and may become an expectation for other guests. Clients who perform favors for you may feel that you “owe them,” and vice versa.
This includes but is not limited to:
Curfew violations
Special treatment of pets
Possessions that exceed locker space allowance
Transportation
Allowing a guest to use your personal cell phone
Asking a guest to run an errand for you
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

3. GIFTS
11/7/2018
The exchange of gifts between volunteers and Guests under any circumstance is prohibited.
Providing assistance through gifts is inappropriate and can be seen as favoritism, or a debt that must be repaid. Remember that donations to Brighter Days and your time as a volunteer are the most appropriate forms of help you can give.
Examples of gifts:
Cards
Food that is not offered to all guests
Books
Money
IMPORTANT: Guests may also try to give gifts to volunteers.
While attempts at gift giving by guests may be an expression of gratitude, the behavior may be a subtle way to control the volunteer/guest relationship. There is a high correlation of gift giving and expecting special treatment.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

4. PHYSICAL BOUNDARIES
11/7/2018
Volunteers must maintain physical boundaries with guests, respect spaces designated for guest use only, and keep their relationship with guests within the physical space of Brighter Days.
The following are prohibited:
Front facing hugs with guests, sitting on guest beds, or using the guest restroom. Side hugs or shaking hands is a great way to show concern.
Lingering - chumming with a guest while on loitering duty
Spending private time with guests, unless clearly in a role that expects privacy (e.g. intake procedures)
Spending time or communicating with guests outside of volunteer hours at Brighter Days
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

5. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS/PERSONAL GAIN
11/7/2018
Any exchange of money between volunteers and guests, whether for personal gain, on a lending-basis, or as a gift/favor, is strictly prohibited.
This includes but is not limited to:
Lending money to guests and vice versa
Giving money to guests as a gift and vice versa
Giving money to guests to perform a favor (ex. Sending them elsewhere to buy coffee) and vice versa
Financial transactions between guests and volunteers in exchange for goods and/or services
A volunteer’s primary relationship with guests is to support and care for them so they maximize the benefits provided by the social service agencies and Brighter Days staff.
If a guest asks for money or requires financial assistance – no matter how small - they should be referred to their caseworker or another staff member.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

6. CONFIDENTIALITY
11/7/2018
Volunteers must respect the confidentiality of guests while also adhering to Brighter Days policy as to what they can share about themselves.
To ensure guests and volunteers are protected, the following are prohibited:
Taking photographs or videos of guests
Sharing mobile phone number, home address, or names of family members under age 18 with guests
Sharing the name of a guest with family, friends, church members, social service providers, or fellow volunteers when not working at Brighter Days
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

7. CONFIDENTIALITY CONTINUED
11/7/2018
Crucial information, such as referrals for help or services, may be shared with Brighter Days staff or, if relevant, with other volunteers WHILE DURING YOUR SHIFT.
Volunteers may share basic information with guests such as your name, the church you attend, and where you work.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

8. CONFIDENTIALITY AND DUAL RELATIONSHIPS
11/7/2018
Dual Relationships - Any other type of relationship with a guest outside of Brighter Days.
This may include but is not limited to:
Medical Provider
Social Service Agency
Church pastor or shared church membership
Prior teacher
Volunteers are responsible for ensuring that dual relationships do not result in favoritism or the appearance of favoritism.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

9. “SPLITTING” RELATIONSHIPS
11/7/2018
“Splitting” is defined as agreeing with a guest about other volunteers or staff being wrong or bad at their jobs.
Doing so may unintentionally create an environment of favoritism at Brighter Days that erodes relationships with key stakeholders.
Volunteers are prohibited from engaging in or agreeing with criticism of staff, volunteers, or other stakeholders with guests.
Instead, volunteers are to ask the guest to share their concerns with a staff member.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

10. PASSING THE BATON
11/7/2018
Sometimes volunteers will encounter issues that they are not equipped to handle. In these situations, “passing the baton” to another stakeholder is not only perfectly acceptable, but also required.
Examples of such situations are listed in the following slides. This is not an exhaustive list. Volunteers will be required to use judgement in regards to appropriate roles and boundaries in making such decisions.
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

11. EXAMPLES OF PASSING THE BATON
11/7/2018
A guest says that they are depressed or considering suicide (refer to Staff)
A guest says that they don’t have a bank account (refer to Staff)
A guest says their dog needs shelter (refer to staff for referral for Bartholomew County Animal Shelter or Care)
A guest says their bicycle was stolen (refer staff for referral and connection to Bicycle Co-op)
A guest wants to go to hot meal site (refer to the bus route schedule)
A guest threatens violence (refer to staff or police)
A guest wants to sleep with partner (refer to staff – never allowed)
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description

12. EXAMPLES OF PASSING THE BATON
11/7/2018
A guest is complaining of a stomach ache (refer to staff)
A guest needs new clothes (refer to staff)
A guest has a birthday tomorrow (make note with Brighter Days staff)
A guest does not have an ID (refer to staff)
Etc.….
Ref. VM Supportive Living, Job Description