Inform your volunteers. Before beginning the project, the Team Leader and the Agency Contact should provide an orientation for the volunteers. Volunteers should know who to contact, what the tasks and goals are, how to accomplish those tasks and goals, and any specific safety precautions.
Break the ice. Take a few minutes to play a brief introductory game with the children. Examples include inviting everyone to share his/her name and his/her favorite food, animal, sport, game, etc.
Respect privacy. Remember that you are working with a vulnerable group of children. Please respect the privacy of the children, and do not divulge their housing or economic situations to others you may meet.
Stay with the group. A volunteer should never be alone with a child. All volunteers and children should be supervised by agency staff at all times. If a trip to the bathroom is necessary, two volunteers should always accompany children.
Do not buy or bring gifts. Do not buy or bring gifts or extra snacks for one child unless the group as a whole has decided to give items of equal value to all of the children. Any gifts or food should be approved by the agency contact.
Turn off your cell phone and other electronic devices. While working with children, whether in a school, agency or public place, please refrain from using your cell phone, portable music player, blackberry or other distracting devices. Please silence all cell phones and alarms.
Behave responsibly. Please keep conversations child-friendly and child-focused and refrain from inappropriate language. Please do not engage in discriminatory or racist statements or behaviors, sexual harassment, any unlawful or inappropriate activity. Drinking, using drugs, being under the influence of either alcohol or drugs, or being visibly hung-over are grounds for immediate dismissal.
Remember that Agency Contacts and New York Cares Representatives are there to help. If you have questions about the project, they will be happy to share their expertise.
