Kristina
Morrison
Orientation
Speech
Hello
and good afternoon. I would like to first and foremost welcome our volunteers
for being here with us today. We are so pleased that you have decided to join
the Brigade Boys and Girls Club family. My name is Dana Floyd and I am the Big
Buddy Program Director here at Brigade. Today, Patrick Tyner and I will be
conducting your training today so that you may become Big Buddy volunteers.
After your training, Patrick, who is our Case Manager here, will evaluate each
of you and pair your up with your Little Buddy. But before we move into that we
would like to familiarize you a little more with the Big Buddy Organization.
The Brigade Boys and Girls
Club is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1896 by Walker Taylor and
was originally an all-boys club. On June 14, 1987, a brand new 13,200 square foot
facility was formally opened. By the early 1990’s, the Club had nearly 1,000
members, open to both boys and girls, and a new youth building was
constructed and opened in 2001. In the year 2000 the Brigade Boys and Girls
Club extended their services to our local area by expanding to
Our Big Buddy Program is a
staple here at the Club. The Program is for our at-risk children, usually
coming from single parent households, who need more attention and possible
guidance. After this initial meeting, I will arrange to meet with each of you
on a one-on-one basis to conduct the Big Buddy training and to discuss and
questions or concerns you may have. After your training is complete, you will
meet with Patrick who will then pair you up with your Little Buddy. This is a
more serious commitment than a regular volunteer, and will require more effort
on each of your behalf’s.
To be a Big Buddy you must
agree to a one year commitment with a child, spending no less than two to four
hours with them each week. Each month there will also be an event held outside
of the Club which will be mandatory to attend and bring your Little Buddy to.
We understand that most of you are college students and that money is sometimes
tight. We guarantee you that no event we hold will ever break your bank. Some
of the events we have held in the past is going to Jungle Rapids out on
Oleander, taking the Little Buddies to the movies, or even holding a kickball
tournament here on our fields at Brigade.
During your training to
become a Big Buddy you will get to tour our facilities and see the children in
action. I will also go over with you tips of forming a relationship with a child,
as well as what to expect when serving as a Big Buddy and age specific
characteristics, such as social and emotional behavior. This training will take
approximately an hour, and will be held during your scheduled training time. If
you feel you are still not fully prepared, we will gladly work with you more,
or possibly evaluate a better position for you as a volunteer.
After you have been
certified to be a Big Buddy you will be issued an ID card. This card will act
as your pass into the club, and must be displayed around your neck while you
are here volunteering. You will also be issued an official Brigade Boys and
Girls Club t-shirt which you are welcomed and encouraged to wear to monthly
events. When volunteering on or off the Brigade site, we ask that you not wear
short shorts or baggy clothing, and tennis shoes are always preferred for any
events you and your Buddy might engage in.
Our main priority here is
the children, and as such we must do what is best for them. I want to thank
each of you for being here today, and for volunteering to be a Big Buddy. I
look forward to meeting you again and getting to know each of you on an
individual basis. Please partake in our snacks and you are now welcome to come
up to the table and sign up for your training. Thank you.