Volunteer Handbook

Black Hills WorksP.O. Box 2104

3650 Range RoadRapid City, SD 57709

605.343.4550

C ont en ts

Welcome to the Black Hills WorksWelcome................................................................................................2Purpose..................................................................................................3History....................................................................................................3Mission, Vision, and Standards of Performance....................................4

So What Will You Be Doing?Volunteer Positions ...............................................................................5

ExpectationsWhat BHW Expects from YouConfidentiality .......................................................................................6Ending Your Services .............................................................................6Code of Business Ethics and Conduct ....................................................6Dress Code ............................................................................................6Health and Safety ..................................................................................7

What You Can Expect from BHWTraining .................................................................................................7Supervision and Support .......................................................................7Communication......................................................................................7

Supporting People with Disabilities ...............................................................8

Thank You!.......................................................................................................10

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W elcom e

Dear Volunteer,

Welcome to Black Hills Works! On behalf of our employees and the people we

support, I want to tell you how pleased we are that you’ve decided to join us. As a

volunteer, you will play an important role in our mission of ―creating a community where

everyone participates to achieve a life of full potential.‖

Since its inception in 1958, Black Hills Works has benefitted greatly from the work of

volunteers like you. Volunteers have assisted with everything from Special Olympics and other

recreational activities, to fundraising and special events. Today, ever tightening budgets

combined with the desire of those we serve to live increasingly more active lives make

volunteers absolutely essential to our mission. We will be able to do what we do far better

with your help.

As you build relationships with the people we serve and our dedicated employees, we

hope you find volunteering at Black Hills Works a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Please

know we appreciate immeasurably your willingness to share your time, talent, and effort. You

will be making a difference in the lives of the people serve.

Sincerely,

Brad SaathoffChief Executive Officer

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Purpose of the Volunteer Program

The Black Hills Works volunteer program exists to enhance the programs of the Black Hills Works and enrich the lives of those we support by allowing for more interaction with community members, creating more opportunities to be active and caring volunteers, and providing the additional support needed to help accomplish their goals and live a life of full potential.

About t h e B la c k Hil l s Works

Black Hills Works is a private, nonprofit corporation in Rapid City, SD established in 1958 with the goal of providing quality services and supports to people with disabilities. It meets certification or licensing requirements by numerous state and federal agencies and is accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership.

We serve over 600 individuals age 16 and older with various disabilities including learning and developmental disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, head trauma, chronic mental illness, physical impairments, and others. Throughout vocational training and Employment Resources, we also provide our business customers with business solutions and a dependable work force.

Our services to individuals with disabilities include evaluation and assessment; treatment(speech, occupational, and physical therapy; psychological services); training; education;health care management and personal nursing care; case coordination; social and recreational activities; sensory development activities; elderly services; transportation; financial trust services; information and referral; respite care; supported living and employment; and support services as individuals assume more independence.

In our Residential Services program, we provide a variety of choices and living opportunities which lead to further independence. Black Hills Works operates eight group homes and seven supervised apartment complexes. We also provide supports in several apartment complexes throughout Rapid City, and many individuals live independently in the community. The type of residence selected is based on each personalities, abilities and desires. Daily support or instruction is based on individual needs.

Vocational training programs include a variety of manufacturing, electronics, and packaging subcontracts, as well as janitorial and food services.

Our Employment Resources Division assists people to find jobs in the community. Employment technicians provide individualized instruction at the job site as well as continuing support to the employer. People served by Employment Resources are involved in a wide assortment of jobs including food service, housekeeping and janitorial, maintenance, light manufacturing and packaging. Community Transitions is a specialized program meeting the multiple needs of individuals who have survived a head trauma.

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Mis s i on The Black Hills Works exists to create a Community where everyone participates to

achieve a life of full potential.

Visi o n The vision of the Black Hills Works is a Community where all People are good

neighbors, valued friends, productive workers, respected leaders, and caring volunteers.

Sta nd ards of P erf o rm anc e As a part of our agency, will you commit to:

B e M y B e st Provide excellent care to the people we support.

Demonstrate a positive attitude. Strive to exceed all expectations.

Be a positive role model.Be honest.

Take responsibility for my learning.Show pride in what I do.

Be Re s pe c t ful of O t h er s Be compassionate. Address

everyone by name.Treat everyone with fairness, honesty, and courtesy.

Eliminate negativity and back biting.Practice forgiveness.

Use body language and words that show respect.Recognize the value of others.

Protect confidentiality and privacy.

Be Sup p o r t i ve Be involved.

Ask questions with a willingness to learn.Be flexible, supporting and promoting change.

Encourage and celebrating others to be their best. Recognize everyone's contributions.

Be a team member – ―we‖ instead of "me".

Be Accountable Eliminate avoidance.

Be on time.Say what I mean, meaning what I say. Accept

consequences of personal decisions.

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So What Will You Be Doing?

Volunteers play a vital role in our mission. Many of the individuals supported by Black Hills Works have the desire and skills to participate in educational, recreational, and leisure activities, but they need resources, friends, and support to accomplish these goals. Volunteers help provide this additional support to help create a community where everyone is achieving a life of full potential.

Volunteers play a number of roles at BHW. From creating art projects to cooking meals, attending Summer Nights on 7th to going hiking and fishing, cleaning apartments to assisting on the computer, every person at BHW has individual needs and interests. Because of this variety, we are confident we can find an area to volunteer that matches your personal interests, skills, and goals.

Some examples of volunteer activities are: Church volunteers accompany individuals to

church and church social functions. Vocational and residential volunteers assist staff in

developing vocational or living skills and providing support in a home setting.

Sports volunteers assist with Special Olympics or individualized athletic activities such as swimming, weight lifting, golf, or basketball.

One-to-one volunteers share time with someone with common interests.

Correspondence volunteers give people who have little family contact the pleasure of receiving cardsand letters in the mail.

But these are not your only options. Your interests and creativity eliminates any limits on the activities that you can participate in. And when you begin working closely with another person, the number of possibilities increases exponentially.

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What BHW Expects from You

ConfidentialityConfidentiality has two elements: 1) that of trust, and 2) that of sharing information with the

feeling of security that it will remain with the other person. We expect all members of the agency to uphold the highest levels of confidentiality when it comes to both our staff and people we support. This includes written and electronic records, email, face to face and phone conversations, need to know basis for information, HIPAA, etc. This guarantee of privacy to an applicant or person we provide services to is intended to free him/her from embarrassment or exploitation. We need to refrain from talking about a person served or their circumstances in public areas of homes, work or offices where others may overhear or directly with another employee or person who does not have a need to know. We also need to insure that private information is not left on printers or desks where someone may inadvertently access it.

All new volunteers are expected to read the agency policies on Confidentiality and to sign-off on the Confidentiality and Ethical Practices Agreement forms (attached). Volunteers that end their service with our agency are expected to continue to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the people that are supported at the agency. Names, circumstances, events are never to be shared with anyone outside the agency or anyone in the agency who does not have a need to know.

Q - A neighbor inquires about a person they know who happens to have a disability. She is wondering if we provide services to this person and is asking about their disability. Can I talk about it since she knows them?

A - No, simply state that due to confidentiality you are unable to confirm or not confirm if someone receives services at our agency or talk about them, even if they are friends. She can ask the person his or herself and they can choose to share what they want shared.(Adapted from Agency Policy, Doc ID: POL1097)

Ending Your ServiceVolunteers are not required to provide notice prior to ending their service with the Agency.

We hope, however, that volunteers will provide any available notice in the form of e-mail orphone call to the Volunteer Coordinator of when their service will end. We understand that unforeseen events occur and respect the volunteers’ rights to end their service at any time they see fit.

Code of Business Conduct and EthicsAdditional agency policies regarding Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation of those we support,

Harassment and Discrimination, Receiving gifts, and other information, is found in the Code ofBusiness Conduct and Ethics booklet. Please familiarize yourself with our agency policies and contact the Volunteer Coordinator if you have any questions.

Dress CodeAll volunteers are expected to follow the same dress code as the staff members in their work

area. In the residential and day-program settings, volunteers must wear tennis shoes or otherclosed-toe shoes and clothing that does not restrict mobility. Jeans and t-shirt are allowed. Be sure to talk to your supervisor about appropriate dress if you have any questions.

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Health and SafetyI. Volunteers are not covered by the agency’s worker compensation; however, the

general liability policy does cover volunteers.

II. We are a drug free workplace. Using alcohol or illegal drugs is not allowed. Employees supervising volunteers may have access to prescription drugs, controlled substances and medical supplies as part of their job and volunteers may come in contact with these substances during their service. We have a legal and ethical responsibility to maintain strict control over these items. Report any problems to your immediate supervisor.

Volunteers are prohibited from ingestion, possession, trafficking, manufacture, dispensing, or distribution of any amount of illegal mood-altering, controlled substances at all times. This includes, but is not limited to, all forms of narcotics, depressants, amphetamines, hallucinogens, and marijuana. Violation will result in immediate removal from the worksite and termination of service, and the violation will be reported to the Rapid City Police Department. Long-term volunteers (those volunteers who intend to serve beyond a single event) are eligible to be selected for random drug test.

Wh a t You C an Ex p e c t f r om B HW

TrainingAll volunteers will receive training prior to entering their service area. Training will include

an introduction to the Black Hills Works and an overview of all Volunteer Policies. After the agency training, volunteers will report to their service area where they will be given area-specific training by their supervising staff.

Supervision and SupportVolunteers will be selected by the Volunteer Coordinator and placed by agreement

between the Volunteer Coordinator and the Volunteer Ambassador for a specific department. During the volunteer’s service, they will be under the immediate supervision of the department Volunteer Ambassador and department staff.

Any discrepancies that arise on behalf of either the volunteer(s) or the supervising staff will be reported to the agency Volunteer Coordinator and directed to the appropriate agency administration.

We want this experience to be as enriching and rewarding for you as for the people we support. Your happiness is extremely important to us, and we will do anything in our power to assist your needs. If you know of a way that your service or the Agency could be improved, contact the Volunteer Coordinator or another staff member; we are open to suggestions.

CommunicationNever be afraid to contact a staff member or ask them a question. They are there to

help you. The same goes for the Volunteer Coordinator. If you have questions or concerns about your service, contact the Coordinator and he or she will gladly talk to you and work to resolve any issues that arise.

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Things to Remember When Interacting with People with Disabilities

A person with a disability is a person – someone to meet and get to know. Remember that individuals with disabilities are more similar to you than dissimilar.

Relax. Don’t worry about what to say.

Encourage conversation and interaction between yourself and the members.

Promote the active participation of the individual with a disability in all aspects of the activity.Appreciate what the person is able to do.

Offer assistance only if asked, or if the need seems obvious.

Respect the individual’s right to indicate the kind of help needed.

A person with a disability may need some time to speak or get things done.

Never let the disability define the person. Rather than saying – “Bob is disabled,” say – “Bobis a person with a disability.”

Discuss the disability if it comes naturally into the conversation.

Speak directly to the person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter.

Offer to shake hands when introduced.

Always identify yourself when meeting someone with a visual disability. If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted.

Treat adults as adults; never patronize people in wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.

Do not lean against or hang on someone’s wheelchair or cart.

Listen attentively when talking with people who have difficulty speaking and wait for them to finish. Never pretend to understand, rather repeat what you heard and wait for them to respond.

Place yourself at eye level when speaking to a person using a wheel chair.

Tap a person who has a hearing disability on the shoulder or wave your hand to get his or her attention. Speak in normal tone of voice.

Be yourself.

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G e t t i ng t he C o nve r s a t i o n S t arted

What was the last movie you went out to see? How long have you been with the Black Hills Works? What was your favorite outing ever? What is your favorite TV show? Where do you work/go to school? What do you do during the day? What are your plans for the weekend? What is your mom, dad, sister, brother, and pet’s name? How old are they? What do they do for a living? What is your middle name? What did you have for breakfast this morning? What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food? What is your favorite snack? What is your favorite CD or kind of music? What station do you listen to on the radio? Where do you like to shop? If you could go on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? What is your favorite sport to watch? Who is your favorite player? Are you a morning person or a night owl? What is your favorite kind of ice cream? What is your favorite holiday—what do you eat on the holidays? If you won the lottery, what would you buy? What is your favorite joke? If you could meet one famous person, who would you want to meet? If you could ask the president of the United States one thing, what would it be? What is the scariest movie you’ve ever seen? If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you want to be? What is your favorite Halloween costume? If you had three wishes, what would you wish for? What are qualities of a good friend? What things make you happy? What are your hobbies? What do you like to do when you’re feeling bored? What are your greatest accomplishments? What are some things to do during a long car ride? What are your favorite things to do in the summer (fall, winter, spring)?

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Obviously, your service provides us with help we greatly need, but this isn’t just about us. We want you to get something out of our partnership. Did you know volunteering can benefit yo u , the volunteer*:

Make important networking contactsLearn or develop skillsTeach your skills to othersEnhance your résuméGain work experienceBuild self-esteem and self-confidenceImprove your healthMeet new peopleFeel needed and valuedExpress gratitude for help you may have received in the past from an organization Communicate to others that you are ambitions, enthusiastic, and care about the community Make a difference in someone’s life

*Source: http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/client_affairs/volunteer_guide.pdf

Finally, we would like to say, “Thank You.” Our organization is better because of you, and we hope your life is better for the service you are doing.

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