Building a Volunteer Handbook

1. Building a Volunteer Handbook … and some other thoughts about volunteers and the work they do.

2. Contents • School philosophy, mission statement • Policies on various topics • Issues: • Negligence • Corporal punishment • Search and seizure • Harassment • Inappropriate relationships

3. Policies • Sexual harassment • Supervision of youngsters • Finances: • Who may handle money • Care of equipment • Expenditures • Use of tax exempt form • Purchase orders • Signatories to checks

4. Negligence • Generally speaking, volunteers should not leave children alone. • Volunteers need to be mentally present as well. • Volunteers need to recognize “foreseeable danger”. • Volunteers need to know procedure for reporting injuries

5. Corporal Punishment • Generally speaking, corporal punishment is the physical treatment that is intended to be punitive. • Volunteers need to be informed regarding mental or psychological abuse • Generally speaking, volunteers should not have physical contact with students.

6. Search and Seizure • Lockers, desks and other furniture belong to the school or the church and are subject to search at any time. • Generally speaking, the searching of backpacks and purses should not be done by a volunteer. • Volunteers should never take anything belonging to a student unless it poses a threat or distraction to others

7. More on Search and Seizure • Volunteers should be made aware of contraband items. • Indicate whether policy refers to look-alikes • Volunteers should not assume the task of search, but should involve the administrator

8. Harassment • Volunteers need to be informed regarding the school’s policy on harassment. • Volunteers need to be informed as to the definition of harassment • Harassment policies should be age-specific • Volunteers need to be informed that teacher-student harassment is illegal as well as student-student harassment • Volunteers need to know procedure for reporting harassment

9. Inappropriate relationships • Volunteers need to know the definition of “alienation of affection” • Volunteers should be cautioned against even the appearance of impropriety • Volunteers should never drive students home,contact students on a social basis, take them for movies or meals, single out students for special attention.

10. Other areas • Issues of guardianship, custody • Accidents • Medications • Dress, language • Confidentiality • Expression of opinion • Authority of administration

11. Other issues • All volunteers should be screened • All volunteers should be trained • All volunteers should be supervised • All volunteers should be evaluated • All volunteers should have the handbook, be trained in its use, and know procedure

12. Finally…. • Volunteers should meet the same personal standards as teachers. • Volunteers should know exactly what their areas of responsibility are and what they aren’t . • Volunteers should be adequately trained for their duties. • Volunteers should be carefully supervised.