Questions about the time commitment
1. What is the time commitment to be a Go Girls! mentor?
2. Can I go on vacation?
3. What if my work/school load changes and I have less time?
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Program
4. Where do the sessions take place?
5. How are the volunteer applications processed and how are volunteers placed at a school?
6. Who are the program participants?
7. What types of activities take place during the sessions?
8. What if I need help or advice?
9. Am I able to have a relationship with the girls after the program ends?
10. What is the school's role in the Go Girls! program?
Questions about Criminal Record Checks
11. Where do I get a Criminal Record Check?
12. How much does a Criminal Record Check cost?
13. What if I just moved here from another country?
Questions about references
14. Can my boyfriend or roommate be one of my references?
15. What if I don’t have a professional reference who's known me for 2 years?
16. Am I able to get a reference from the Program Coordinator for this volunteer experience?
TIME COMMITMENT
1. What is the time commitment to be a Go Girls! mentor?
Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds mentors volunteer for 3 hours per week (2 hours co-facilitating the sessions and 1 hour preparing for sessions) for 8 consecutive weeks. The program is offered after school on either a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from approximately 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The program is offered 3 times per year in September, January and April. Preference is given to volunteer applicants who anticipate being available for two complete sessions of the program or 16 weeks. TOP
2. Can I go on vacation?
As the time commitment is only 8 weeks and the participants are eager to spend time with their volunteer mentors, we ask that Go Girls! volunteers are availalbe for the full 8 weeks. TOP
3. What if my work/school load changes and I have less time?
If you anticipate your work or school schedule to change significantly in the next while this might not be the best time to volunteer. It is important for the girls in our program to have consistency with their mentors over the 8 week program. Volunteers may not be placed in a school immediately so it is important to consider that as well when thinking about the time commitment. TOP
GO GIRLS! HEALTHY BODIES, HEALTHY MINDS PROGRAM
4. Where do the sessions take place?
The Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program involves 8 two-hour sessions that are co-facilitated by two volunteer mentors at one of our partnering Coquitlam middle schools. The sessions are held in a classroom, activity room or drama room within the school. We ask volunteers to consider the travel time involved in getting to/from the Coquitlam schools. TOP
5. How are the volunteer applications processed and how are volunteers placed in a school?
The Program Coordinator will review and process applications on a first come, first serve basis. Volunteers are placed at a school based on your availability, your experience with youth and your compatibility with another co-mentor. TOP
6. Who are the program participants?
he participants of the Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program are girls ages 11-14 (grades 6-8) that attend the partnering Coquitlam middle school. The participants are invited to participate by the School Champion. TOP
7. What types of activities take place during the session?
The Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program has a session plan for each weekly session which details the activities, time required and equipment/supplies needed (provided). Each session is structured around three themes: active living, balanced eating and feeling good. The program incorporates fun, educational games and interactive activities to promote mentor/participant relationship building, self-reflection and group discussions. TOP
8. What if I need help or advice?
The Go Girls! Program Coordinator is available to support you. She will check-in with you and your co-mentor regularly and we encourage you to contact the Program Coordinator whenever you need guidance. We are always here to support you! At the school, you will also be supported by the designated School Champion (youth worker, counsellor, teacher or principal) who assists in the program implementation at the school level. TOP
9. Am I able to have a relationship with the girls after the program ends?
As a Go Girls! mentor, your relationship with the participating girls is limited to two hours per week for eight sessions. We require that there is no contact outside of the specified program times. TOP
10. What is the school's role in the program?
The school designates a School Champion (youth worker, counsellor, teacher or principal) who selects the participants, distributes and collects the permission forms and remains on school grounds during the sessions (not be in the same room as the sessions). The School Champion is also available to support the volunteer mentors. TOP
CRIMINAL RECORD CHECKS
11. Where do I get a Criminal Record Check?
You can get your Criminal Record Check done at the RCMP/Police station in the municipality/city where you live (a complete listing of RCMP/Police stations is included in the Go Girls! Application Package). We encourage you to get your Criminal Record Check done as soon as possible as it can take awhile for the station to process it and send it to you. TOP
12. How much does a Criminal Record Check cost?
The cost of Criminal Record Checks varies according to where you live. Most are free for volunteers with others ranging from $10-$25. Please refer to the Go Girls! Application Package for details. TOP
13. What if I just moved here from another country?
You must have lived in Canada for at least one year before you can apply to volunteer as a Go Girls! Heathly Bodies, Healthy Minds mentor, or be able to provide us with a recent International Criminal Records Check from your most recent country of residence. TOP
REFERENCES
14. Can my boyfriend or roommate be one of my references?
No. Spouses, partners, fellow applicants and current roommates are not accepted as references. Please provide us with another family member and friend who have known you for at least two years to be a reference for you. TOP
15. What if I don’t have a professional reference who's known me for two years?
Your professional reference can be a current or former employment supervisor,
co-worker, teacher, or volunteer supervisor. If you don’t have a professional reference who has known you for two years, contact us at info@bigsisters.bc.ca or 604-873-4525 ext. 300 and we'll figure out a solution together. TOP
16. Am I able to get a reference from the Program Coordinator for this volunteer experience?
The Program Coordinator will provide a reference for you once you have completed your volunteer commitment. References will be limited to forms and providing the Program Coordinator's contact information. Reference letters will only be provided if the volunteer has co-facilitated at least two full sessions of the Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds program. TOP