VIPS Volunteer Policies and Procedures
The VIPS Volunteer Handbook is available in its entirety here. The following tabs provide important policy and procedural information that should be reviewed periodically by all volunteers.
- Volunteer Safety and Emergency Procedures
In the case of a medical emergency or in the event that someone must reach you while you are volunteering, we ask that all volunteers fill out the VIPS Registration Form and provide the following: - Any and all relevant medical information that may assist medical professionals in the event you are experiencing a medical emergency (conditions, medications, special instructions)
- Emergency contacts (Name, Cell phone, Home phone)
Occasionally, schools conduct safety practice drills, including Fire Drills, Lockdown Drills and Evacuation Drills. If one of these events should take place while you are at the school volunteering, please report to the nearest classroom or office and follow the instructions provided by a school employee. This may involve exiting the building quickly or reporting to a classroom where you will be asked to follow safety precautions. The use of cell phones is not permitted during such drills. In the event of an actual emergency, you will be required to follow the instruction and guidance of school personnel. Each school has similar, though not identical procedures for such drills, so always follow instructions. Your cooperation in such situations is required and necessary for your own safety as well as the safety of the students and staff in the building.
Confidentiality
Falmouth VIPS has an obligation to Falmouth Public Schools students and staff members, and volunteers, to maintain their confidentiality and to respect their privacy. Every person served by Falmouth VIPS has the right to confidentiality. At the same time, every VIPS volunteer must use his or her best judgement. If you are aware of an issue that requires immediate attention, especially if it involves volunteers, please direct your concern immediately to the School principal, or the VIPS Director.
All VIPS volunteers are expected to agree to, sign, and adhere to the following statement:
As a VIPS volunteer, I understand that it is my responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of any employee or student information, both written and verbal. I will take any matter of concern to the school principal and/or the VIPS director and will not make any statements regarding students, personnel, or student materials outside the school.
Falmouth VIPS has an obligation to Falmouth Public Schools students and staff members, and volunteers, to maintain their confidentiality and to respect their privacy. Every person served by Falmouth VIPS has the right to confidentiality. At the same time, every VIPS volunteer must use his or her best judgement. If you are aware of an issue that requires immediate attention, especially if it involves volunteers, please direct your concern immediately to the School principal, or the VIPS Director.
All VIPS volunteers are expected to agree to, sign, and adhere to the following statement:
As a VIPS volunteer, I understand that it is my responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of any employee or student information, both written and verbal. I will take any matter of concern to the school principal and/or the VIPS director and will not make any statements regarding students, personnel, or student materials outside the school.
Harassment and Discrimination
Falmouth VIPS is committed to providing a positive work and volunteer environment free from discrimination and bias. Each volunteer is personally responsible for maintaining this type of environment. Falmouth VIPS prohibits any actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s race, sex, sexual preferences, ethnic background, age, religion, physical condition, or other legally protected characteristic. Any conduct or action, whether overt or subtle, which creates an offensive or hostile work or volunteer environment is prohibited and will be grounds for immediate disciplinary action.
Falmouth VIPS prohibits any harassment between volunteers, employees, or other non-employee on the basis of sex. No volunteer, 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 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 who believe they have been harassed must immediately report the matter to the School Liaison or VIPS staff member.
Falmouth VIPS is committed to providing a positive work and volunteer environment free from discrimination and bias. Each volunteer is personally responsible for maintaining this type of environment. Falmouth VIPS prohibits any actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s race, sex, sexual preferences, ethnic background, age, religion, physical condition, or other legally protected characteristic. Any conduct or action, whether overt or subtle, which creates an offensive or hostile work or volunteer environment is prohibited and will be grounds for immediate disciplinary action.
Falmouth VIPS prohibits any harassment between volunteers, employees, or other non-employee on the basis of sex. No volunteer, 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 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 who believe they have been harassed must immediately report the matter to the School Liaison or VIPS staff member.
Volunteer Responsibilities and Conduct
Disclaimer: Falmouth VIPS has the right to reassign or terminate volunteers from an assignment or position at our discretion or that of the school principal.
What to do if you are unable to meet your commitment
School Phone Numbers
East Falmouth Elementary: (508) 548-1052
Mullen-Hall Elementary: (508) 548-0568
North Falmouth Elementary: (508) 563-2334
Teaticket Elementary: (508) 548-1550
Morse Pond School: (508) 548-7300
Lawrence School: (508) 548-0606
Falmouth High School: (508) 540-2200
- Complete the necessary paperwork (VIPS Registration, CORI form)
- Attend information session, orientation or training session (if applicable), or meet with school liaison or program contact person to understand your role and what is expected of you
- Use discretion and treat all information as confidential (see Volunteer Confidentiality Statement); Make no statements regarding students, personnel, or student materials outside the school.
- Be dependable and punctual, sign in upon entering the school (and sign out before leaving), and wear a volunteer badge (available at the sign-in desk) when volunteering the school.
- Make arrangements ahead of time with the teacher if unable to attend when expected. If there is a last minute emergency, notify school office to relay the information to the teacher or staff member. In case of inclement weather, volunteers should check for school cancellations, delays, or early dismissal notices on district website (www.falmouth.k12.ma.us) or local radio stations, or by calling the school and listening to the automated phone prompts for school cancellations.
- Work under the direction and supervision of teacher or school staff member with whom you volunteer. The relationship is at all times professional.
- Support the teacher or school staff member and recognize that content, technique, and discipline is the staff member’s responsibility.
- Avoid expressing differences of opinion or dissatisfaction in the presence of students.
- Take matters of concern to the VIPS School Liaison and/or the VIPS director.
- Observe the rules of the school, including but not limited to parking, sign-in, fire alarm or lockdown drill procedures, etc.
- Log hours each and every time you visit school, including hours spent off-site preparing for a project or volunteer session. This can also be done online at www.falmouthvips.org
Disclaimer: Falmouth VIPS has the right to reassign or terminate volunteers from an assignment or position at our discretion or that of the school principal.
What to do if you are unable to meet your commitment
- Contact the school and speak to someone in the Main Office and ask that they notify your supervisor or the staff person for whom you volunteer.
- If you know that you will be absent for an extended period of time, give your volunteer contact sufficient lead time so that they may find someone to fill in during your absence. If possible, state the duration of your absence if known in advance.
School Phone Numbers
East Falmouth Elementary: (508) 548-1052
Mullen-Hall Elementary: (508) 548-0568
North Falmouth Elementary: (508) 563-2334
Teaticket Elementary: (508) 548-1550
Morse Pond School: (508) 548-7300
Lawrence School: (508) 548-0606
Falmouth High School: (508) 540-2200
Feedback
With 34 years of overseeing an ever-increasing number of volunteers in Falmouth’s public schools, the VIPS program can attribute much of its success to good advice, feedback, and a willingness to make changes when necessary. No program is perfect; change is healthy—it can represent both a recognition of and response to changing needs. As such, VIPS welcomes, depends on, feedback from our volunteers, building coordinators, program leaders, board members, and school staff.
If, for any reason, your volunteer experience is unsatisfactory, we want to hear about it. (The same goes for satisfactory experiences!)
The following list of self-evaluation questions are well-worth reviewing before you begin your volunteer experience and at any time you feel there is a “disconnect” between you and your assigned staff member:
In some cases, volunteers find that they would like to try something new. We have many unmet needs, so get in touch with us and we will work with you to find another position or program that can utilize your energy, enthusiasm, and interests!
With 34 years of overseeing an ever-increasing number of volunteers in Falmouth’s public schools, the VIPS program can attribute much of its success to good advice, feedback, and a willingness to make changes when necessary. No program is perfect; change is healthy—it can represent both a recognition of and response to changing needs. As such, VIPS welcomes, depends on, feedback from our volunteers, building coordinators, program leaders, board members, and school staff.
If, for any reason, your volunteer experience is unsatisfactory, we want to hear about it. (The same goes for satisfactory experiences!)
The following list of self-evaluation questions are well-worth reviewing before you begin your volunteer experience and at any time you feel there is a “disconnect” between you and your assigned staff member:
- Have I shared with the staff member my skills and interests that are relevant to my volunteer service?
- Am I discreet and tactful in working with students, teachers, and staff members? Am I careful to observe the confidentiality rules?
- When I am unable to make a pre-arranged volunteer time, do I contact the school promptly?
- Am I reliable and prompt?
- Do I make suggestions as to how I can be of further help?
- Am I effective in helping children who have questions?
- Do I make an effort to learn by observing the staff person and the students?
- Am I able to accept criticism or suggestions?
- Do I take advantage of training opportunities to enhance my skills as a volunteer?
- Do I share my enthusiasm for my work at school with friends and community members?
In some cases, volunteers find that they would like to try something new. We have many unmet needs, so get in touch with us and we will work with you to find another position or program that can utilize your energy, enthusiasm, and interests!
Other relevant information for VIPS volunteers can be found by following the links below:
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