RULES & GUIDELINES
Eligibility Guidelines for 3BBF Team Members
3BBF staff and volunteers (team members) represent 3 Bluebirds Farm and as such must conduct themselves in a professional manner and follow all 3BBF guidelines and procedures. Team members are to maintain a professional relationship with participants and parents of minor participants at all times. Past experience working with individuals with special needs is encouraged, but not required. Team members under the age of 18 must read over all of the above and below information and present a Parental Consent Form signed by a parent or legal guardian. The minimum age for team members shall be of high school age. There is no maximum age for 3BBF team members. For those team members working directly with 3BBF clients, team member must have optimum mobility and the ability to lift at least 40 pounds.
Background Checks
Where team members are to be placed in direct contact with at-risk clients, additional screening procedures will be instituted. These procedures may include reference checks, direct background investigations, criminal investigation, etc. Team members who refuse permission for conduct of these checks will not be accepted for placement with clients. Volunteers under the age of 18 DO NOT need to conduct a background check.
Safety
You and 3BBF share responsibility for establishing and maintaining a safe work environment. 3BBF will attempt to ensure a safe work environment and to comply with federal, state and local safety regulations. In turn, you are expected to obey safety rules and to exercise caution in all of your work activities. You are expected to report any unsafe conditions to 3BBF immediately. Any accident, which results in injury, regardless of how insignificant, must be reported promptly. A first aid kit is located in each classroom. 3BBF and Camp Bluebird are nut-free facilities — this includes ALL nuts (not just peanuts).
Attendance - Absence & Lateness
The positions that 3BBF team members fill are critical to 3BBF. If you fail to show up, others must take on the tasks you were expected to accomplish. If you are unable to attend a scheduled work or volunteer day, or if you will arrive late, please contact Erin with as much notice as possible. We need at least a two hour notice of a pending absence.
How to Communicate absence or Lateness
Call Erin, at 919-629-7500, and leave a detailed message if she is unable to answer. Do not assume that they have received your message until you receive a reply. If you have not received a reply within 20 minutes, please call again.
Record Keeping, Time Sheets, Payment Procedure
Volunteers must sign in and out on the provided 3BBF Volunteer time sheets and are responsible for keeping track of their own hours in order to receive community service documentation from 3BBF.
Confidentiality
3BBF has an obligation to clients, families, applicants, staff, volunteers and donors to maintain their confidentiality and to respect their privacy. Every person served by 3BBF has the right to confidentiality. Refrain from discussing or gossiping about personal information regarding clients at all times. At the same time, every team member must use his or her best judgment. If you are aware of an issue that requires immediate attention, especially if it involves staff or our individuals with special needs, please direct your concern immediately to Erin.
Cell Phone/Personal Calls Rules & Expectations
Personal Cell Phone Use for Paid Staff & Volunteers: 3BBF takes the safety of our children very seriously, therefore all team members must follow the 3BBF cell phone rules and regulation guidelines. Only administration may have their personal cell phones on their bodies for emergency use and picture taking. All other team members must set their cell phone in the “OFF” position and store in a designated area. Should any team member require more than two reminders from the President or Director of Programs within a camp session about these rules and expectations, the team member will be asked to leave. At no time shall any team member use their cell phone for personal use (personal calls, texting, internet usage, etc.) while on duty. This includes Take Flight Clubs and all other outside volunteer activities as well. Team members may use cell phones only while on pre-scheduled breaks in a designated area. Cell phone use does not occur in the vicinity or eyesight of students at any time. The safety of our clients is our utmost priority and all eyes must be on them at all times.
Personal Phone Calls & Emergencies: Team members do not receive or initiate personal calls while on duty, unless there is a true personal emergency. Team members may use personal cell phones in designated areas only and only at appointed times, such as snack, lunch and rest time.* Team members should explain to family and friends that personal calls cannot be accepted while on duty. In the event of a personal family emergency, family may call the Camp Bluebird main line, for assistance in reaching a younger volunteer. The Camp Bluebird main line is: 919-629-7500. We will relay the message or have the team member return an emergency call as appropriate. This is a non-negotiable regulation in order to be a part of our program. If you do not feel that you can follow these guidelines, then please stop here and discontinue your application process. Thank you for your understanding.
Harassment & Discrimination
3BBF is firmly committed to providing a positive work environment free of discrimination and bias. Each team member is personally responsible for maintaining such a work environment. 3BBF prohibits any actions, words, jokes or comments based on an individual’s race, sex, sexual preferences, ethnic background, age, religion, physical condition, mental condition, or other legally protected characteristic, or emotionally sensitive topic. Any conduct or action, whether overt or subtle, which creates an offensive or hostile work environment is prohibited and will be grounds for immediate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
3BBF prohibits any harassment between volunteers, employees, or other non-employee on the basis of sex. No volunteer, employee or independent contractor, male or female, should be subjected to unsolicited or unwelcome sexual overtones and conduct, either verbal or physical. Misconduct applies to males and females, and includes harassment between individuals of both sexes and the same sex.
Any volunteer or independent contractor who believes he or she is a victim of sexual or discriminatory harassment is encouraged to let the harasser know that his or her behavior is unwelcome. In addition, volunteers or independent contractors who believe they have been harassed must immediately report the matter to a supervisor or the President. A grievance is then filed.
Problem Solving
Under these guidelines, a problem may be any event, condition, rule or practice which the team member believes violates his or her civil rights, treats him or her unfairly, or causes him or her any degree of genuine discomfort on the job. A problem may also deal with an attitude, or an opinion or statement held by a staff member or fellow team member.
Team member concerns are of great importance to 3BBF, regardless of whether the problem is large or small. It is 3BBF’s practice to give full consideration to every team member’s opinion. There will be no discrimination against or toward anyone for his or her part in reporting a problem. All reporting of problems are handled confidentially. And, it is important to remember that everyone must be part of the solution vs. part of the problem.
Service at the Discretion of the Organization
3 Bluebirds Farm accepts the service of all team members with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of 3 Bluebirds Farm. Team members agree that the organization may at any time, for whatever reason, decide to terminate the relationship with 3 Bluebirds Farm, or to make changes in the nature of their assignment.
Scheduling Meetings for Discussion of Important Matters
When needing to discuss an important matter with Erin please do not pull aside during work/volunteer hours for this discussion. Please organize a time to schedule a meeting after work/volunteer hours with Erin.
Team Member Conduct & Behavior
3BBF is an at-will agency and reserves the authority to separate from a team member without cause, but will always consider the cause leading to the separation.
Although it is not possible to list all the forms of behavior or conduct that are considered unacceptable in the work place, the following are examples of infractions or conduct that may result in the immediate limitation and separation of the team member relationship.
-Theft or inappropriate removal or possession of 3BBF property
-Misuse of agency funds, equipment, or materials
-Falsification of timekeeping records
-Working under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or engaging in any form of drug related behavior
-Possession, distribution, sale, transfer, or use of alcoholic or illegal drugs in the work place, while on duty or while operating 3BBF equipment
-Fighting or threatening violence in the work place
-Boisterous or disruptive activity in the work place
-Negligence or improper conduct leading to the damage of property
-Repeated failure to follow a supervisor’s reasonable request or to carry out a reasonable job assignment
-Gross misconduct or insubordination
-Violation of safety or health rules
-Abuse or mistreatment of clients, volunteers or employees
-Sexual or other unlawful harassment or discrimination
-Violation of 3BBF anti-discrimination guidelines
-Possession of dangerous or unauthorized materials, such as explosives or firearms, in the work place
-Excessive absenteeism without notice
-Releasing confidential information
-Sleeping while on duty
Dress Code
Team members are expected to carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. Our dress code is casual and we want you to be comfortable, however we must also model appropriate attire for the students, community and the professional workplace setting. Please keep the following in mind:
Appropriateness of Attire:
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Do not wear Ripped, patched or stained clothing;
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Do not wear clothing with writing and images, offensive language, political or religious statements, or displays of alcohol/tobacco/drugs;
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Do not wear exposed midriff/tops;
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Do not wear shoes without heel straps;
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Do not wear Crocs;
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Do not wear visible undergarments or lack of appropriate undergarments;
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Do not wear excessively short, tight or revealing clothing.
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Do wear Athletic shoes with good support and protection, ready to run at any given moment;
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Do wear Layers
Grooming & Hygiene
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Please report for duty clean, well groomed and free from odor and fragrance (including tobacco products)
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Long hair must be tied back during certain activities, such as handling food or working with children.
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Minimize – or eliminate – use of perfume or cologne.
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Keep fingernails clean and trimmed short for the safety of the children.
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Team members assigned to childcare areas may not wear long artificial nails or have nails that extend beyond the fingertips for the safety of the children.
Emergency Contact Information
It is the responsibility of each team member to regularly update his or her personal contact information and emergency contact information. Updates can be made by contacting the President or Director of Programs.
Nut Free Policy (ALL NUTS, not just peanuts)
Please do not bring gum, candy, soda, or products containing nuts or traces of nuts to 3BBF. Peanut and tree nut allergies are becoming very common. Camp Bluebird now has campers who are anaphylactic when in contact with any type of nut. These are highly allergic individuals, and when in contact with even a trace amount of a nut product could result in serious complications within minutes. Please respect our Nut Free Policy. This includes all nut butters, including peanut butter, almond butter, Nutella, etc., as well as granola bars with nuts. Although this is not a guarantee that there are no traces of nuts at our facilities, it is our sincere attempt to reduce exposure to these products to individuals at risk. We feel that the healthy and safety of all of our students rank far above any inconvenience this may cause.
Behavior Assistance for Children
Philosophy: 3BBF and Camp Bluebird will utilize positive discipline and guidance techniques so that children will be provided with a safe, happy, comfortable environment. Staff shall provide each child with guidance that helps the child acquire positive self-concept and self-control. Behavior guidance used by each caregiver will be constructive, positive, and suited to the age of the child at all times.
The following rules and standards apply.
1. To prevent unacceptable behavior from occurring the staff will:
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Model appropriate behavior.
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Arrange the environment to enhance the learning of acceptable behaviors.
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Use descriptive phrase praise when appropriate occurs, i.e., “Look how high you are building the blocks! Let’s count them.”
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Give children praise, love and positive reinforcement.
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Not discipline for bathroom accidents.
2. When unacceptable behavior occurs or is about to occur, staff will use:
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Redirection—substitute a positive activity for a negative one by using firm positive statements about behaviors or redirection of behaviors.
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Distraction — change the focus of the activity or behavior.
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Active listening — determine the underlying cause of the behavior.
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Explanation — help child understand why the behavior was inappropriate and what the child should have done. If applicable, the child may be asked to repeat what the staff person has said to be sure of understanding.
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Help the child learn to express feelings in his/her own way and to find a new way to handle the situation that caused the inappropriate behavior.
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Holding and rocking a child will be done when needed.
Time-out (separation from the group) is used as a last resort, only when less intrusive methods have been tried and/or behavior of the child is dangerous to himself and others. In the event a time-out is used, a child will be separated from the group for a maximum of 3 minutes.* Time-Outs will only be utlilized by paid and trained staff, not volunteers.
By signing below, I am indicating that I have read these Expectations & Responsibilities and that I have had the opportunity to ask questions.