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Big Brother/Big Sister Program Handbook

2010

The University of the West Indies,

Cave Hill Campus

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Background ________________________________________________________________ 2

Programme Objectives ______________________________________________________ 3

Roles & Responsibilities of the Mentor ______________________________________ 4

Roles & Responsibilities of the Mentee ______________________________________ 4

Life in the programme_______________________________________________________5

To Do List__________________________________________________________________6

Programme Sponsored Events_______________________________________________7

Code of Conduct ___________________________________________________________ 8

Student’s Evaluation of Big Brother/Big Sister ______________________________ 9

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The Big Brother/Big Sister Mentorship Programme was launched to

ensure that Jamaican students studying on the Cave Hill campus had

adequate support and guidance whether academic or social. Making the

transition into a new culture, coupled with the pressures of studying, is not

always easy to handle alone. Therefore this programme seeks to ensure that

students are equipped with basic knowledge of procedures, places and

programmes on and off campus to assist in alleviating some of these pressures.

This student-centred approach is a unique way to offer an inside perspective

on how to handle student life at Cave Hill.

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The Big Brother/Big Sister Programme seeks to achieve these objectives:

To assist in ensuring a smooth transition into student life at Cave Hill for

New Jamaican students;

To ensure that each Jamaican student at Cave Hill has basic guidance

and support;

To bridge the gap between new students and those already on campus;

To foster a sense of family amongst Jamaican students on campus;

To facilitate social networking among the cohort of Jamaican students at

Cave Hill and;

To provide opportunities for students to explore their new surroundings;

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The primary roles and responsibilities of a big brother / big sister shall be to:

Develop a sustainable relationship with your mentee;

Assist with social networking of each mentee, such as incorporation into

the Jamaican Association;

Use his/her knowledge to provide advice and support where required;

Attend the Programme Orientation at the beginning of the Academic

Year;

Attend scheduled group events;

Participate in the evaluation process and;

Keep the Office of the Vice President abreast of developments and

difficulties.

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A mentee shall be expected to:

Maintain at least a professional relationship with their Big Brother/Big

Sister in the capacity of Mentor;

Try as best as possible to participate in the mentor’s initiatives;

Meet with his/her Big Brother/Big Sister at least once per week;

Attend the Programme Orientation at the beginning of the Academic

Year;

Attend scheduled group events;

Participate in the evaluation process and;

Keep the Office of the Vice President abreast of developments and

difficulties.

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Kemoy McEkron : “I think the Big Brother Big Sister Programme is an

amazing initiative! I have benefitted

tremendously from books, advice,

counselling, support and a lifelong and

strong friendship. Without the programme

my second year would have been like my

first- clueless.”

Howard Hinds: I totally enjoyed the programme. My sister, Maravlyn, was

there for me the entire year and I

didn’t have to ask twice for her

assistance. I would encourage all

new students to participate in [this

programme].

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Here’s a list of things that Big Brothers and Sisters can do with their mentees.

This list is just a mere starting point as the activities that you can engage in a

virtually endless; we just wanted to share some ideas with you:

Visit the Sheraton

Go Bowling / Bumper Cart Driving / Paintballing

Go to the movies or go to the beach

Go to church together

Study together

Go to a beer lyme

Go to the Boatyard

Go to Harrison Caves

Drive around the island

Visit the Barbados National

Museum

Attend a cricket match at Kengsinton Oval

Go grocery shopping together or Play tennis at UWI

Lyme at school or just have lunch together

Go on the Harbour Master /Atlantis Submarine

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What: Programme Orientation What’s it About: Mentors and mentees will be officially introduced. Programme

goals and expectations discussed. Hear from previous programme participants.

Where: The Guild Of Students Conference Room

When: September 2010

What: Welcome Lyme

What’s it About: Games night and social for all members of JASAC.

Refreshment will be provided. Where: The Guild Of Students.

When: September 2010

What: Beach Lyme What’s it About: JASAC Beach Lyme in association with JAMBAR.

Where: TBA

When: TBA

JASAC SPORTS CARICOM Football [Male]

CARICOM Football [Female;

JASAC are reigning champions]

Six a side

Board Games

Dominoes

Sign up for a Committee Today Entertainment Committee

Cultural & Educational Committee

Constitutional Committee

Welfare Committee

Culinary Committee

Sports Committee

Special Projects Committee

Welfare Food Drive

Prayer Service

Annual Church Service

Emergency Financial Assistance

Book Grants

JASAC WEEK Flag Raising Ceremony

JASAC Play

JASAC Food Day

Fete

Beer Lyme

JASAC provides numerous opportunities for participation and service throughout the entire year

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The Big Brother/Big Sister Programme is designed with certain objectives

in mind. To ensure the achievement of these objectives professional conduct is

required by all participants. To this end:

1. Mentors are advised to exercise caution when recommending or

participating in physical activities such as jet skiing.

2. Mentors will be deemed to have acted outside the scope of their duties

should they facilitate a mentee’s participation in activities which are

illegal in Barbados.

3. Mentors shall not request payment from mentees for any service

conducted in the capacity of mentor save and except where such

payment is pursuant to an agreement between the mentor and mentee.

4. Mentors shall keep all information conveyed to them by their mentee in

the strictest of confidence.

a. A mentee may waive this right to confidentiality at any time

b. The mentee’s right to confidentiality is deemed to have

automatically been waived should the mentor reasonably believe

that the life of the mentee is at risk of imminent danger.

i. Where the mentor so reasonably believes, he or she must

contact the office of the Vice President as soon as is possible

and take reasonable steps to mitigate the situation should

the threat of danger be immediate

5. JASAC accepts no liability for any loss or damage suffered by mentors or

mentees as a result of participating in activities conducted in pursuance

of the objectives of this programme

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SECTION A: This section is to be completed by mentees only

1. Did your Big Brother/Big Sister assist you in any way to better handle

the challenges of the academic year, both in terms of your academics and

life outside the classroom?

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2. Was your Big Brother/Big Sister approachable? Yes No

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3. Were you able to meet with your Big Brother/Big Sister at least once

monthly?

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4. Was your Big Brother/Big Sister reasonably accessible?

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5. Do you think that your Big Brother/Big Sister was effective in achieving

the objectives of this programme?

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6. Did your mentor provide helpful advice and feedback?

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SECTION B: This section is to be completed by both mentors and mentees

7. What were your general impressions of your mentor/mentee?

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8. What group activities did you enjoy the most this year?

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9. What did you least enjoy about the programme?

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10. How do you feel we can make this programme better?

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