Volunteer Mentors – Pre-Match Training Questionnaire Step 1 of 5 20% Volunteer Name* First Last Email* Date* MM slash DD slash YYYY As a mentor, you play a very important role in a young person’s life. Together, we’ll ensure you’re part of a strong, safe, healthy, and enjoyable match. Please complete this questionnaire so we can be sure to provide you the best support for your mentoring relationship. Thank you! We appreciate your time. A. YOU AND BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS a. This section assesses your knowledge of the following Key Messages i. You're committing to regular match meetings for a significant period of time. ii. The essential members of the match are you, your mentee, their parent/guardian, program staff, and, for some site-based programs, the school liaison. iii. Matches have a beginning, middle, and end: each stage is equally important. b. A Quick Review What do you think?1. It’s ok to occasionally cancel planned activities as long as I let my mentee know.* True False Unsure 2. A big goal of a match is to have fun and laugh together.* True False Unsure 3. I only meet with program staff when things are not going well.* True False Unsure 4. As a mentor, it is my role to change my mentee’s life for the better.* True False Unsure 5. My mentee’s parents/guardians will probably not be very involved in the match.* True False Unsure 6. Shared decision-making is something to strive for.* True False Unsure 7. I need to manage my own expectations of my mentee and our match.* True False Unsure 8. It’s ok to have my mentee bring friends or siblings when we get together.* True False Unsure 9. I should see my mentee as often as I like.* True False Unsure 10. Mentees join the program only if they want to have a mentor.* True False Unsure 11. Early match closure can do harm to my mentee.* True False Unsure 12. I’ll probably get a lot of positive feedback from my mentee.* True False Unsure Match the most accurate phrase (on the top) with the stage of the match (on the bottom). Don’t stress over this! It provides you an opportunity to reflect upon how matches evolve and what you and your mentee might be experiencing at different stages: 1. Ensure a positive closure that celebrates success2. Seek staff support if there are bumps in the road3. Healthy friendships develop over time; don’t rush 4. Your mentee may test your loyalty and commitment 5. Rules must be followed by all match participants Getting to know each other*#1#2#3#4#5Spending time together*#1#2#3#4#5Honouring the commitment*#1#2#3#4#5Ending or closing the match*#1#2#3#4#5Throughout the match*#1#2#3#4#5 Here’s a reminder of the topics you might talk with program staff about: - match activities and accomplishments - any questions or concerns I may have - feedback on how my mentee is feeling - setting and respecting boundaries - clarification on program rules - helpful information, such as resources you may be interested in - information on agency activities - effective adult-child communicationComments or Questions? B. HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS a. This section assesses your knowledge of the following Key Messages i. Safe, healthy relationships pave the way for strong, supportive matches. ii. It is important for all match participants to exercise their voice and choice. iii. Communication with young people can be challenging, yet it is very important. b. A Quick ReviewWhat do you think?1. Healthy relationships emphasize safety, communication, trust, fun, respect.* True False Unsure 2. Mentees and mentors must be comfortable exercising their voice and choice.* True False Unsure 3. Your voice, body language and expression are as important as your words.* True False Unsure 4. If my mentee’s behaviour has been challenging I should cancel our next planned activity.* True False Unsure 5. Listening skills are as important as communication skills.* True False Unsure 6. It’ll be obvious to me when I’m having a positive impact on my mentee.* True False Unsure Your Mentee is upset. What do you think you should do?1. Gently encourage my mentee to share his or her feelings.* True False Unsure 2. Change the subject to not upset my mentee further.* True False Unsure 3. Respect my mentee’s privacy unless I have evidence or suspicion of abuse.* True False Unsure 4. Contact program staff if my mentee is uncharacteristically reluctant to talk.* True False Unsure Comments or Questions? C. SECURE AND RESILENT a. This section assesses your knowledge of the following Key Messages i. All match participants will set boundaries, which must be respected ii. Talk with your mentee about their Circle of Support, and be alert to secrets and risky behaviour. iii. As adults, we have a duty to report abuse if it is disclosed to us or if we have reason to suspect abuse. b. A Quick ReviewWhat do you think?1. The gradual breaking down of boundaries can lead to unsafe relationships.* True False Unsure 2. Children who are equipped with an understanding of personal boundaries are less likely to be exploited or victimized.* True False Unsure 3. My mentee and I need to understand and respect each other’s boundaries.* True False Unsure 4. Consistently breaking or stretching agency policies is boundary-breaking behaviour.* True False Unsure 5. It’s ok to get changed (e.g., to go swimming) in front of my mentee.* True False Unsure 6. If my mentee’s parent/guardian sets silly boundaries (e.g., about what movies to watch) it’s ok to ignore them.* True False Unsure 7. Pity and guilt can be examples of an unhealthy relationship.* True False Unsure 8. I don’t need to talk with my mentee about their Circle of Support because his or her parents/guardians and program staff take care of that.* True False Unsure 9. It’s ok to give my mentee inexpensive gifts occasionally.* True False Unsure 10. I need to respect my mentee’s confidentiality.* True False Unsure 11. It’s ok for me to ask my mentee to keep a secret.* True False Unsure 12. It’s ok to hug my mentee.* True False Unsure 13. The stronger and more resilient my mentee is, the more likely he or she is to make healthy decisions* True False Unsure If a young person has disclosed harm or abuse, or if you have reasonable grounds to suspect abuse, it is important that you handle the situation in a supportive and appropriate way. Please review the following and check the true, false or unsure boxes.1. I should disregard what he or she says if I don’t think they’re telling the truth.* True False Unsure 2. I should immediately notify the appropriate authorities, including my Big Brothers Big Sisters agency.* True False Unsure 3. I should listen carefully and accept what the young person is telling me.* True False Unsure 4. I should offer comfort and support and control my reaction.* True False Unsure 5. It is not my role to verify the abuse – I should not ask probing questions.* True False Unsure 6. I should try to find out if the young person was doing anything to cause or encourage the abuse.* True False Unsure 7. I should tell the child what to do and not to do to avoid this situation again.* True False Unsure 8. I should tell the young person it is not their fault and praise them for telling me.* True False Unsure 9. I should tell them I am going to help them get the support they need.* True False Unsure 10. If they ask me to keep it a secret I should tell them honestly that I’m unable to do so.* True False Unsure 11. Whether or not I’m a professional, I am legally obligated to report abuse or suspected abuse.* True False Unsure Together, we can ensure ALL relationships are HEALTHY relationships. Here is a reminder of some of the things you discussed in your training session. - There are several different types of abuse, including physical, neglect, sexual, bullying, and emotional abuse. There can be verbal and non-verbal disclosures of abuse. - Disclosure can often take a long time, and may involve some telling and then retracting. - A person who discloses abuse may feel ashamed and/or scared. - If you have any questions about abuse, suspected abuse or reporting, you can speak with your program staff or contact your local child protection agency.Comments or Questions?I, the individual named above, verify that I have an understanding of the Pre-Match Training key messages and content. I will seek support from agency staff members as needed.* Yes, I agree with the statement above No, I do NOT agree with the statement above By clicking YES I hereby confirm that the information provided is accurate, correct and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region to use the information I provided within their agency.* Yes No Thank you for your time and your commitment to a healthy mentoring relationship. 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