To mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, you must:
• Be atleast 19yrs of age (legal age in BC) * there is no upper age limit
• Provide a satisfactory criminal record check
• Provide a minimum of three satisfactory references (more may be required)
• Respect the confidential nature of our services and sign a confidentiality agreement
•
To mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, you should also:
• Be interested in developing a positive friendship with a child or youth
• Be trustworthy, energetic, mature, stable, reliable, accepting, patient, caring and respectful of others
• Be supportive and non-judgmental in your interactions with children and youth
• Promote the welfare and safety of the child or youth
• Act with integrity
• Be comfortable with the Big Brother Big Sister agency’s core values, policies and procedures

Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors will be expected to:
• Commit approximately one to four hours per week (this varies according to type of program)
• Commit for up to one year (some programs have shorter time commitments)
• Ensure the safety and security of the child or youth when they are together.
• Communicate openly and regularly with the parent/guardian (for one-to-one community-based matches) or with the school liaisons (for in-school matches)
• Communicate openly and regularly with the Big Brothers & Big Sisters staff
• Keep everyone informed of life changes that may impact the match
• Work with their Little Brother or Little Sister and their caseworker to set a goal for the match (the goal is reviewed annually)
• Emphasize friendship
• Be consistent and dependable and maintain a steady, positive presence in the Little Sister's or Little Brother’s life
• Involve the child or youth in deciding how to spend time together and the activities they do
• Listen to and respect the thoughts and viewpoints of the child or youth, and focus on their strengths
• Have realistic expectations, and be prepared for any issues that may arise
• Use available resources, including the support and guidance of local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency staff
• Reinforce and model issues around safety consistent with our Child Safety training
• Work with their Big Brothers Big Sisters staff to properly close the match when the match ends

Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors will not be expected to:
• Provide basic necessities like food or money
• Organize elaborate or expensive activities
• Pay for the child or youth during outings
• Act as a substitute for a parent, guardian or teacher
• Act as a tutor
• Take the child or youth to appointments or other personal activities
• Act as a babysitter for the child or youth or his or her siblings/friends
• Act as a therapist or social worker

What will I have to avoid?
Common sense should be used here, but in general, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors should avoid:
• Criticizing or speaking harshly to the child or youth
• Disciplining the child or youth
• Taking part in any action or discussion that does not respect the values of the family
• Taking part in any action or discussion that could in any way be interpreted as inappropriate

 To apply to become a mentor

Contact our office at 250 635 4232 or visit to www.bbbsc.ca/volunteers. (on left side click on become a mentor, then find an agency, complete form, your local agency will contact you).

For more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters or mentoring go to:

http://www.bbbsc.ca/members/training/course.asp?ID=volunteer