Volunteers associated with programs at Preble Street—operated by either Preble Street or its partners—will strive to act in a manner consistent with the Preble Street Mission—"to provide accessible barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty; and to advocate for solutions to these problems"—and will treat everyone with dignity and respect.

To promote a welcoming atmosphere for both clients and volunteers, we maintain a professional working environment that includes:

RESPECT AND TOLERANCE

1. Be respectful of everyone present
a. Try to just listen
b. Be as respectful to those receiving services as to those who are working

2. Remember that your conversations should have
a. no shame/blame/judgment
b. no swearing or inappropriate language
c. no name calling
d. no sex talk or drug talk

3. Try not to personalize comments that may seem negative

BOUNDARIES

1. Maintain appropriate boundaries with clients
a. Don’t give clients rides
b. Don’t give clients money
c. Don’t meet clients outside of breakfast
d. Don’t answer personal questions

2. Refrain from physical contact of any kind. Many people are not comfortable with being touched.

3. Don’t get talked into things: When being asked to do anything that you are not sure about always refer to program guidelines or the program manager rather than what other volunteers or clients say.

4. Volunteers have the same access to programs and services as everyone else in the community.

5. Honor the guidelines of each program. If your needs are not being met, please contact the Volunteer Programs Coordinator for other alternatives.

RESPONSIBILITY

1. Dress as clean and neat as possible
a. Full shirts must be worn: no tank tops, bare midriffs, halter tops, etc.
b. Appropriate foot wear must be worn: no flip flops or high heels

2. Work safely
a. Sign in whenever you are working
b. Follow all food, equipment, and building guidelines
c. Don’t prop the doors open
d. Check with the program manager before allowing anyone to enter who does not have a key
e. Don’t give out food to people coming to the volunteer/delivery entrance

3. Stay on task: Feel free to chat while you work, but do not leave your work to chat.

4. If you choose not to finish a shift, let the program manager know that you are leaving.

volunteer agreement

1. I read and understand the duties and agree to follow the guidelines stated in the Volunteer Expectations.

2. I understand and will strive to act in a manner consistent with the Preble Street Mission.

3. I recognize that volunteers are supervised by the staff person managing the program.

4. I understand that food, donated items, supplies, and storage space of Preble Street and its partners are to be used only as directed by the staff person managing the program.

5. If unable to work during a previously agreed upon time, I will contact the office at 775-0026 or the program where I am assigned.

6. I understand I am not to give out my last name, address, or telephone number to clients.

7. I understand I must refer requests for financial assistance to a staff member.

8. Any information shared by clients with volunteers is to be kept confidential. The exception is if a client seems likely to harm him/herself or another person.

9. If a client seems likely to harm him/herself, another person, or Preble Street property, I will contact a staff person immediately.

10. I understand that if I (or any volunteer) have been asked to leave the premises for any reason, prior to returning to volunteer I will need to meet with the program manager and/or the volunteer manager and another staff person.

I have read the above guidelines and policies and agree to follow them.

 

confidentiality policy

In recognition of our belief in the right of privacy, the Board of Directors of Preble Street decrees that all employees, consultants, student interns, advocates and volunteers of Preble Street will be bound by a strict standard of confidentiality.

All employees, consultants, student interns, advocates, and volunteers of Preble Street agree not to reveal the name or any other identifying information regarding any person who is currently receiving services from Preble Street or who has in the past received services.

When discussing individual clients as part of casework activities at Preble Street, all employees, consultants, interns, advocates, and volunteers should be aware of public spaces and limit discussion of confidential information to private space, not to be overheard.

Confidentiality of written records will be maintained by the Executive Director, Assistant Director and Program Coordinators. Case records of clients of Preble Street will be maintained in a file cabinet, which can be locked and can be accessed only by approved personnel.

Confidentiality can be breached only in the following cases:

• Crisis situation (involving harm or threat of harm to the client or to others by the client)
• Subpoena to testify in court
• In the case of suspected or actual child abuse or neglect
• When the client has granted his/her consent (in writing) for the sharing with others of personal information

In order to be an employee, consultant, intern, or volunteer of Preble Street, each person will sign a statement signifying that s/he has read and agree to follow this policy on confidentiality.

I understand the confidentiality policy of Preble Street and agree to comply with it. I also understand that any breach of this policy may be grounds for dismissal.