HOW TO BECOME A SISTER 2 sister MENTOR CRITERIA FOR BECOMING A BIG SISTER MENTOR To become a big sister mentor you must • • • • • • • • •
Be over 21 ...
HOW TO BECOME A SISTER 2 sister MENTOR CRITERIA FOR BECOMING A BIG SISTER MENTOR To become a big sister mentor you must • • • • • • • • •
Be over 21 years of age, female, motivated and dedicated Be a big sister for a twelve month period Have a strong desire to help those who are less fortunate and be a good listener Contact your little sister at least once a week by phone Fill out and send monthly progress sheets on your little sister to the Volunteer Training and support officer Undergo mandatory child protection screening Attend a compulsory half day introduction mentoring training course Attend a compulsory big sister mentoring meeting once every two months Attend a compulsory big sister/little sister outing once every two months Attend the initial five day mentoring course with the girls*
• *Although attending this five day mentoring program is not compulsory (we understand your work
commitments) it is highly recommended that you attend.
THE ROLES OF A BIG SISTER • To be available to take phonecalls/emails from your little sister within an agreed time (you and your little sister can work out which times are most suitable) throughout the twelve month period and to provide advice, encouragement and verbal support. • To be a sounding board in times of distress. Contact in person with your little sister will be in the form of group outings organized by the big sisters, together with Life Changing Experiences Foundation staff. Please note that whilst one on one outings are encouraged, they must be approved by Life Changing Experiences Foundation. • To telephone your little sister at least once a week to make sure that she is coping ie-school, family, life in general. • To immediately alert authorities and Life Changing Experiences Foundation of any danger/suspected danger that your little sister may be in. Never ever take things in to your own hands. These cases are rare.
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To alert Life Changing Experiences Foundation of any concerns that you may have about your little sister’s well being and progress. Remind them about group outings and assist them with transport Where necessary, be willing to liaise with parents/teachers from your little sisters school in regards to their school work and social interaction with other students. Attend parent teacher interviews, school concerts, meetings with school counsellors if necessary etc Help them seek a part time job if needed or government assistance (living away from home benefits, rental assistance etc) Attend scheduled meetings with the other big sisters to discuss the needs of the girls and to work with the mentors to work out strategies to overcome problems that may have arisen. Organise group outings for the girls and their big sisters. Encourage them to eat well and exercise regularly Encourage them with their goals Work out strategies to tackle areas in their life that need improving Make them feel special-eg call them on their birthday, send them a text message a night before a big exam at school. Other than phone calls etc, you are not expected to spend money on the girls. As big sister, the best thing you can do is give your time and to let them know that you are thinking of them and that they are not alone. Your role is to keep them on the straight and narrow and to assist them on the road to a healthy and productive life.
THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A BIG SISTER 1. Complete the “Application form-big sister mentor” and post to Life Changing Experiences Foundation PO Box 530 Vaucluse NSW 2030 2. Your application will be taken to the board of directors, and, on successfully passing the child protection screening test, you will be asked to come in for an interview. Successful applicants will be sent a Big Sister Handbook containing the necessary details for the twelve month program.
APPLICATION FORM Big sister mentor Full name Ms/Miss/Mrs Sex (females need only apply) Age Address (no post boxes please)
Personal email address Home phone number Work phone number (if applicable) Mobile number Qualifications Name of place of work Job description ie teacher, financial controller
Work status-Part time/ Full time/ Casual Address of place of employment
Full name of work referee Phone number of work referee
Signature and recommending comment of work referee
Full name of personal referee
Phone number of personal referee Signature and recommending comment of personal referee
Reasons why you would like to be a big sister mentor
Are you interested in attending the five day mentoring program with the girls?
I would be interested in being a big sister to a girl in need and give permission to Life Changing Experiences Foundation to submit my details to the child protection screening unit. Signature Date Name/s of your local newspapers We would like to recognise you for your work, please let us know if you do not wish for the press to be advised of your contribution to the community
I would like to be a volunteer for Life Changing Experiences Foundation and would be willing to help out in the following areas Name Contact phone number Selling lavender bags Taking telephone enquiries/administration (if so, how many hours a week) Delivering fundraising kits to schools Seeking prize donations for raffles I would like to donate a prize/service Writing media releases/organizing exposure Seeking sponsorship and funding Attending Rotary/club meetings and presenting an overview of the foundation Organising group outings for the big sisters and little sisters Website update and design I would like to offer my skills in the following areas
