Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore is dedicated to child well-being and safety as its paramount goal and prevailing culture. As such, the following policies are in place to ensure child safety.

As a volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore, I agree to the following:

Match activities will be approved by the parent/guardian in advance.
Personal information about my Little and their family is considered confidential. I will respect their confidentiality and not share their information unless I am court ordered to do so.
Weapons are to be stored in a safe place under lock. Firearms in the household must be licensed, permitted, registered, and handled in accordance with Maryland state law. During visits, firearms must be unloaded, locked, and inaccessible to the child.
In the case where a law enforcement official is required to carry a weapon at all times as a condition of their employment, agency professionals must document the weapon related job requirements as well as parent notification of the requirements and their approval of the condition prior to match.
BBBSES volunteers agree to refrain from the unlawful distributing, possessing, dispensing, sale, purchase, transfer or use of controlled substances, illicit drugs or prescription drugs if used in a way that is illegal at all BBBSES premises, sites, events, activities, or while volunteering with BBBSES. Alcohol is not to be consumed in the presence of a Little, nor is it to be consumed before an outing. Failure to abide by this policy will result in immediate termination of the match.
The first three months of BBBS outings should take place outside of the volunteer’s home. After three months and with the permission of your Little’s Parent/Guardian, BBBSES staff., and an assessment of the match must be completed by program staff, the Little may visit their Big’s home.
Trips of more than 120 miles or two hours from the Little’s home are not allowed during the first year of the match without special arrangements through BBBSES. Parental approval is required for out-of-state travel.
Overnight visits are generally not permitted. Volunteers must contact Match Support Specialist for further discussion of circumstances.
If charged with a criminal offense during the time that a volunteer is affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the volunteer agrees to disclose the offense. Background checks are authorized to be conducted throughout the volunteer’s tenure at Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Volunteers shall not undertake activities that distract their focus from driving responsibilities while operating any motor vehicle during their volunteer activities. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to operating a cellphone (hand-operated or hands-free), operating a computer / laptop, text messaging device, handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) tools and devices, reading (a book or newspaper, etc.), and personal grooming.
The parent/guardian’s written permission is required prior to giving the child medication.
During match activities, the child is never to be left in the care of another person or transported by another person (spouse, significant other, roommate, or neighbor).
Volunteers agree not to provide funds to the child or his/her family. Gift-giving is reserved for special occasions and must be approved by the parent/guardian.
Volunteers must obtain the parent/guardian’s permission to connect with the child on social media or to post photographs of the child on social media. Volunteers agree not to share information about the child or the child’s family on social media. Volunteer must enact privacy controls and settings to restrict accessibility of the Little to only age-appropriate content when using volunteer’s device. Volunteer must report to the agency any social media misuse or content that may endanger the Little’s health, safety or well-being.
Volunteer must promote child safety including reporting social media misuse or content that may endanger the Little’s health, safety or well-being.
If a child discloses abuse of any kind to a volunteer, the volunteer must contact BBBSES as soon as possible to discuss the incident. They will then work with BBBSES to report to the appropriate authorities. If a volunteer suspects that the child is in immediate danger, they will communicate with BBBSES and/or the local police to take appropriate steps.
Bigs are to monitor Littles if they are using the internet during a match activity. Descriptions of match activities on the Big’s social media pages such as Facebook should be appropriate and carried out with the approval of the Little and the Little’s parent/guardian. Bigs should not “friend” Littles on social media.
Approved communication methods may include MatchConnect, email, text, phone, mail, video conferencing, social media between matches within varying program types.
Big must keep confidential and information regarding personal and identifying information about the Little and their family.
Bigs are responsible for privacy controls and settings to restrict accessibility of the Little to only age-appropriate content when using volunteer’s device and recommended privacy settings for volunteers.
Volunteers using a motor vehicle for transportation to match activities agree to maintain a valid driver’s license and the Maryland state required minimum limits of auto liability insurance. Volunteers must follow all state traffic safety laws when transporting the child, including:

The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.
Youth under 8 and shorter than 4' 9" must be in a booster seat.
No use of handheld cell phones while driving
No use of alcohol or drugs prior to transporting a child

Volunteer required to sign at Match Introductory Meeting