1. Royal Canadian Air Force Family Sponsor Program
Volunteer Orientation
Family Sponsor Program

2. Family Sponsor Program
Welcome!
Play Video of Comd Team Families
Thank Sponsors for their willingness to volunteer
Go over “admin” details of the training (length, breaks, refreshments, washrooms, exits, etc.)
Family Sponsor Program

3. Family Sponsor Program
Training Overview
Introductions
Family Sponsor Program “Core” Training
Module 1 – Program Background and Overview
Module 2 – Roles and Responsibilities
Module 3 – Reaching Out to Families
General Volunteer Training
Unit Specific Training
Family Sponsor Program

4. Family Sponsor Program
Introductions
Name
Hometown/Province
How long at current posting
Unit you are working with
Why you want to be a Family Sponsor
An interesting fact about yourself
Before we go into the details about the Program, we’re going to learn a bit about one another.
Instructor can go first as an example
Volunteers can pair up and then present their partner to the whole group after 5 minutes, or each individual can present themselves to the whole group
Family Sponsor Program

5. Module 1 - Program Background
The first module will provide you with a sense of why this Program was developed. It will also provide you with an outline of the guiding principles of the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCAF with respect to families, and explain why the Program is structured as it is.
Keep in mind, You can always refer back to your Volunteer Handbook for more detailed information or a refresher of these topics – or any others covered during the orientation training.
Family Sponsor Program

6. Family Sponsor Program
Start by having volunteers read the CAF Family Covenant
CAF Family Covenant – This document summarizes the commitment of the CAF and the RCAF towards families.
This commitment is the foundation of the Family Sponsor Program – the RCAF is committed to enhancing military life by creating a Program that allows the RCAF community to take advantage of one of its greatest assets – military families.
The Family Support Team visited every RCAF unit across the country and listened to what families had to say about what ways the Air Force could help families.
Families consistently said they wanted better communications at the local level and that they wanted to feel more connected to the leadership/units and to other families.
As a result, the RCAF Family Sponsor Program was created to help empower families and address these issues by organizing a team of volunteers at every RCAF unit. The team will work with leaders and the MFRC to lend a helping hand to families who are posted or experiencing service-related separations (like deployments, TD, career courses, etc.)
RCAF Family Sponsor Program
Limited Introduction 2016
RCAF-Wide Implementation 2017
Family Sponsor Program

7. Family Sponsor Program
What You Can Do:
Help families integrate into the community faster and better
Encourage grass-roots solutions
Promote readiness – of members, units AND families
Support resiliency
Ensure equal access to programming for all RCAF families
Link families to leaders and leaders to families
White board exercise: Facilitator can ask the group to list why they think the Program is Important.
Other Answers may include:
Improve access to/knowledge of existing Family Support Programs and/or organizations
Build a greater sense of community
Improve communications
Address problems families are experiencing at the lowest level/earliest opportunity
Improve quality of life for families
Increase sense of belonging to a unit
Encourage peer-to-peer support
Family Sponsor Program

8. Family Sponsor Program
The Program Basics
Unit Based
Family Centric
Run by Volunteers
The unit or squadron is at the heart of the RCAF. When a member joins the military they are taught about the culture and camaraderie and esprit de corps of the unit. Commanding Officers are responsible for the general well-being of every member of the unit during work, while on operations or exercise. The program builds on the strengths of this essential and well-established system to help connect families and improve communications.
Focuses on families – inclusive of ALL family structures; emphasizes family-friendly communication and builds on the strengths of family members in our communities; formalizes a process that frequently happens very informally to ensure ALL families get the same warm welcome and provide support during separations and provide accurate information about activities and services available.
Run by Volunteers – families are our greatest asset. In order to build a community, we need to involve families in the process. Families are already helping families in many informal ways. The Program builds on this strength by linking volunteers to unit leaders and the MFRC.
Family Sponsor Program

9. Volunteer Expectations
Volunteers
RCAF
Cultural Awareness
Code of Ethics
Confidentiality
Working as a Team
Learning/Growing
Training
Chance To Make a Difference
Support
Opportunity to Give Feedback
Personal Development
Pg. 7 of the Volunteer Handbook
Discussion Points:
Examples of differences that volunteers may encounter
Languages
Family structures
Personal values
Others?
Review the MFRC’s code of Ethics
Review Confidentiality requirements of volunteering
Emphasize importance of team work
Outline opportunities locally for volunteers to learn more
What we will do for you:
Training
The Chance to help others in a personal, meaningful way
Outline avenues for volunteers to access support
How volunteers can contribute feedback
Example of opportunities to expand/develop personally
Family Sponsor Program

10. Family Sponsor Program
Questions?
Family Sponsor Program

11. Module 2 - Roles/Responsibilities
Module 2 will introduce you to the other key players involved with the Program. It will outline the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in making the Program a success for units and families.
Family Sponsor Program

12. Family Sponsor Program
Detailed roles of all key players found in volunteer hand book.
Wing Commander and Wing Family Sponsor Coordinator provide oversight locally
Unit Command Team and Unit Family Sponsor Rep will work with unit volunteers and members to share unit information relevant to families
MFRC works with Command Teams and with volunteers to keep the Program running
Sponsors are the heart of the Program
Lead Sponsors provide mentorship to sponsors; they provide a tangible link between Sponsors and both the MFRC and the Command Team
Family Sponsor Program

13. Family Sponsor Program
Sponsors
You are
An ambassador of the unit and the MFRC
A friendly face, listening ear and helping hand
Not alone! Sponsors are part of a team!
You are NOT:
A counselor or social worker
An employee (babysitter, chauffeur, gardener, etc.)
An RCAF member
Without you there would be no Program!
Be aware that your actions reflect on your unit, the MFRC and the RCAF - both positively and negatively
Your main role is to reach out to families – help them feel welcome and connect them with the information and resources they need.
You do not need to be everything to everyone – don’t forget to reach out for help yourself if you are unsure, uncertain or feeling overwhelmed
There are limits to what you can do for families – Know your limits!
A listening/empathetic ear is NOT the same as a trained counselor or social worker
If it is a role that someone is generally paid to do, it is not your job as a volunteer (NOTE: this point may bear further discussion about HOW to differentiate between things they do as a Program volunteer, and things they do as an individual for friends, etc.. Remind them they can verbally state “I am not acting as a Sponsor right now” or “Right now, I am not on volunteer duty”, “I’m doing this as a friend, not as a Sponsor”, etc..)
Volunteers make a commitment to the Family Sponsor Program and all families are part of the RCAF community, but it is important to remember that you are not an RCAF member and hence there are limitations on the information and services you may access.
Family Sponsor Program

14. Family Sponsor Program
Lead Sponsors
Are Mentors.
Help Coordinate.
Assign Sponsors to Families.
Lead Sponsors may also act as a Sponsor if required
Not Supervisors.
Mentors: Generally Lead Sponsors are family members will a little more military family experience and they can share that experience with other Sponsors.
Help Coordinate: Lead Sponsors work with the UFSR and the MFRC to ensure the Program runs smoothly
Assign Sponsors – depending on the location this may be done in collaboration with the unit Comd Team OR the MFRC (outline the local procedure here)
May also act as a Sponsor as required
Not Supervisors: Lead Sponsors are the first resource for Sponsors who have general questions about the Program.
Family Sponsor Program

15. Family Sponsor Program
Confidentiality
Safeguarding private, sensitive information shows respect for a family’s privacy and protects the credibility and integrity of the RCAF Family Sponsor Program.
This is one of the most important aspects of a Volunteer’s responsibilities with the Program.
Key Points:
Sponsors need to be keep all info they have access to confidential
This requirement doesn’t stop when you are no longer a volunteer
Failure to maintain confidentiality will likely result in dismissal from the Program
Sponsors may ONLY divulge information about families to the Command Team or the MFRC with the express permission of the family.
If contacted by outside agencies, the Sponsor will refer these matters to the Command Team, UFSR or MFRC.
Family Sponsor Program

16. Family Sponsor Program
Questions?
Family Sponsor Program

17. Module 3 – Reaching Out to Families
In this section, you will walk volunteers through the basic steps of reaching out to families and providing support through a posting and/or a service-related separation.
Family Sponsor Program

18. Family Sponsor Program
Remember!
A friendly voice and a little information goes a long way
Be genuine and honest in your role as a Sponsor – this Program is about building community
You can help families access support – but you do not need to be the support
Interactive Opportunity – Ask volunteers WHY they wanted to volunteer in the first place.
Likely responses:
To help other families
Because I wished someone had welcomed me/shared information with my family
Because some DID share information with me/welcomed me
To get to know other military families
To be involved with military community/spouse’s unit, etc.
It may seem overwhelming at first to reach out to other families; remind volunteers of the following before moving on to the next slides:
They are probably already doing these things informally (sharing info with friends or on a FB group, checking in with other families they know when a members is deployed, etc.)
When you first speak with a family, try to be genuine; a personal welcome is generally appreciated!
You are not alone! Your role is be a friendly face/voice and help families access support – you do NOT need to support them yourself.
Family Sponsor Program

19. Family Sponsor Program
Process for Reaching Out to Relocating Families
When you get family contact information, make the call as soon as practical.
Use the tips in the Volunteer Handbook to help you make the first few phone calls (This is a good time to review “Making the Call” in the “Set Up Box”)
Other options – if you only have an address, that’s fine. Be sure to check spelling.
Follow the roadmap – but be flexible and make sure the family knows how to reach you if they change their mind or have more questions.
Don’t forget to jot down who you contacted and when. Use the “Unit Family Call Log” in the “Set Up Box” (NOTE: the MFRC may wish to print a few copies of this form separately to provide to Sponsors)
If you can, arrange to meet the family to say hello while they are in town on their HHT (you could meet for coffee, or at the MFRC, etc.)
Don’t forget to make sure you have up-to-date contact info for the family for when they arrive (new cell number or , etc.)
Touch base with the family a few weeks after the move; this is the opportunity to let the family know how they can share any Program feedback and invite them to any unit family events
Make sure the family has contact information for the Unit Family Sponsor Program (Lead Sponsor or UFSR) in case they need anything else at a later date.
Family Sponsor Program

20. Family Sponsor Program
Process for reaching out families when the member is away:
Familiarize yourself with the emotional cycle of deployment (NOTE: MFRC may wish to provide pamphlets on this subject now, or later during the training)
Connect with the family before the member leaves to establish a rapport and see what the family may need in terms of support during the absence.
Set up a timeline for connecting with the family – how frequently, what times/days work best, and what method works best (phone/text/ /social media? Etc.)
Remember the boundaries of a sponsor; it’s important to be empathetic to the challenges of being on your own, but you as a volunteer cannot take the place of the member. Don’t forget to use your different hats if necessary: friend vs. Sponsor
Be sure you know who to contact if there is a crisis/urgent matter with the family (Comd Team, UFSR, MFRC point of contact)
Your role doesn’t end suddenly when the member returns; especially in the case of long term separations; it’s important to check in with the family to see if there are any additional requirements for support.
Family Sponsor Program

21. Family Sponsor Program
Resources
There are lots of places where you can help families find information:
Lead Sponsor for your Unit
MFRC
Unit (UFSR or Command Team)
Online (see the “Set Up Box”)
Most of the time, you will already know the answer to the questions families have (about neighbourhoods and schools and where to go to get a Driver’s license).
However, these are the places you can go to gather more information.
(NOTE: use this opportunity to briefly discuss the types of questions families may have – especially those unique to your local area)
Resources section of the “Set Up” Box is also a useful guide to online resources!
Family Sponsor Program

22. Family Sponsor Program
Record Keeping
Write it Down!
Record basic information (who/what/when)
Don’t record sensitive information unless necessary)
Keep records in a safe/secure place
Return for destruction
Sponsors should use the forms provided (in the Volunteer “Set Up” Box) to record their interactions with families.
It doesn’t need to be complicated – just write down the basics – who did you speak with, when and about what general topic?
Try to keep sensitive info to a minimum, or if you need to write something down to remember it, don’t use info that links it to a particular family
Keep any records in a safe place (example – in your home, not in your car, etc.)
At the end of your time as a volunteer (or more frequently if the MFRC wishes), return any written records to the MFRC for destruction
NOTE: This is a good time to take a quick look at the forms, and possibly discuss other means of keeping track of the information. You may also need to address questions of “how much detail do I need to record?” and may go over an example with the volunteers
Family Sponsor Program

23. Family Sponsor Program
Feedback
General Feedback
Surveys
Volunteers may be asked to gather feedback from the families they work with
The purpose of family feedback is NOT to evaluate Sponsors, but to allow families to share feedback that can help improve the Program over time.
Family Sponsor Program

24. Family Sponsor Program
Questions?
If there are no questions – you may wish to ask the volunteers some of these questions:
What if the family says they don’t need/want support from a Sponsor?
Can a family change their mind?
What are the places you can go for assistance in working with a family?
NOTE: If questions come up at this point about families in crisis, etc., let volunteers know that you will cover those details in a later portion of the training.
Family Sponsor Program

25. Family Sponsor Program
What’s Next
Volunteers Skills Training
Communications Skills
Dealing with Families in Crisis
Military Family Support 101
Lead Sponsor Specific Training
NOTE: This slide can be customized to give volunteers a sense of how the MFRC will present the other mandatory training topics
Communications
Dealing with Families in Crisis
Military Family Support 101
Lead Sponsor specific training
Family Sponsor Program