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Chapter 2 has so far described processes for developing Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and Boys and Girls Clubs that are common to both. However, there are issues unique to each that should also be considered as you work to establish these programs in your community.
Following are several important factors that you should be aware of as you develop a Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Chapter 4 pursues this further.
A. Organizational and Service Delivery Standards
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada has developed comprehensive organizational and service delivery standards18 that advance the safety of young people participating in the program, and encourage program and organizational effectiveness and excellence. All member organizations are required to adhere to these standards, and undergo a thorough program and/or agency review at least once every five years to ensure compliance19.
As you develop your Big Brothers Big Sisters program, you must plan to incorporate these standards into your organization and program. Before being granted affiliation with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, you must demonstrate that the organization and program are well on the way to complying with standards. Within two years of being granted affiliation, your program and organization will be required to undergo a full agency review, through which you must demonstrate compliance with standards.
B. Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada member agencies all share a common focus on mentoring. All or most of these agencies offer the core service on which Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada was founded: one-to-one matching. Men and women (age 18 or older) give of their time to become mentors to youngsters who can greatly benefit from having adult role models to look up to.
In response to the different needs and demands of children, youth, and volunteers alike, a variety of mentoring programs20 have been created to fit the changing society. In addition to the more traditional community-based one-to-one matching program, such services as family mentoring programs, mentoring programs for specific youth populations, and group mentoring programs, are offered in some Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations.
Some Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada member agencies have also diversified their services beyond mentoring, in response to unmet community needs. However, these organizations’ core activities continue to revolve around mentoring.
A great deal of research21 has been done to demonstrate the effectiveness of mentoring, and to determine the key ingredients to successful mentoring relationships, programs and organizations. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada incorporates these well-researched elements of effective mentoring practice into its organizational and service delivery standards, thereby encouraging high quality programs and organizations among its members. Click here to download the In School Mentoring Agree (PDF).
C. Affiliation Process
The process of becoming affiliated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada generally progresses as follows:
Conduct the Research: The first steps towards affiliation involve creating an advisory or steering committee, and conducting a community needs assessment22, which examines the need for the program and its feasibility in your community. You must submit to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada a written report outlining the findings of your community needs assessment. This research process typically takes three to six months.
Develop a Plan:
If Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada is in agreement that a program is both needed and feasible in your community, then you can begin to develop the program and the structures that support it. It is at this stage that you may receive written permission from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada to use the Big Brothers Big Sisters name for the purpose of fundraising, incorporating and so on. It is important to put your program plan into writing.23 A well-researched, well-presented program plan not only serves as a guidebook as you implement the program, but can also be used as a valuable communication tool when seeking support for your program. It can help you and your potential supporters to be sure the program’s underpinnings are solid. You must submit your program plan to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada in preparation for affiliation.
Affiliate:
Once you have completed your program plan, a representative of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada (usually the Regional Executive Director) will conduct a mini program and/or agency review to ensure that your organization and program are well on the way to meeting the national standards, and are prepared to begin service delivery. This representative will then submit a report and recommendations to the board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. If approved, your organization will be granted membership. Once approved, you will be required to sign an affiliation agreement24.This agreement governs the relationship between the program and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, and outlines the responsibilities of each of these parties.
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