Program Volunteer Application

Before completing the rest of the application, we ask that you please review the following Statement of Faith prayerfully before signing. This is a requirement for everyone who wants to become a program volunteer.

We require everyone in leadership to complete this form. Our goal is not to exclude but to be clear upfront with our core value of being "Christ-focused." If you are unwilling to sign the form, we welcome you to join us on any of our other volunteer teams. 

 Blue Sky Acres Statement of Faith

Blue Sky Acres, Inc. (BSA) is a faith-based organization founded upon Christian principles as stated in the Word of God.  Members of the Board, Staff, and Volunteer Mentors and Listeners in the Blue Sky Moments program indicate their personal agreement with the BSA statement of faith by signing below.

• We believe in the one true God and the saving grace of His son, Jesus Christ. There is only one true God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 
  (Deut. 6:4, 1 Timothy 2:5-6, Acts 4:10-12, Matthew 28:19)

• We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired, infallible and authoritative source of Christian faith and practice. The Bible is a supreme revelation from God, superior to conscience, reason, tradition and experience.  (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21)

• We believe that the only hope for man is to trust in Jesus Christ, the virgin born Son of God, fully God and fully man.  Through faith in Christ’s life, death and resurrection mankind is redeemed. (Matthew 1:18-25, John 3:16, 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, Romans 10:9)

• We believe that salvation is by grace through faith alone. No amount of good works will produce justification before God. We further believe that the manifestation of faith and grace is a holy life expressed with a repentant heart through righteous works. (Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:16, James 1:22, James 2:14-17)

• We believe that eternal life in heaven is the gift for all who believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord. In the same way, those who do not trust and believe in Christ are eternally separated from God in hell. (Matthew 25:45-46, John 3:16, 1 John 5:13)

• We believe that God is the ultimate authority by reason of the fact that He is creator and sustainer of the entire universe. (Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 40:28, Acts 17:24-28, Colossians 1:16-17)

• We believe that God created man in His own image: male and female. He ordained marriage between one man and one woman. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:22-24, Matthew 19:4-6)

• We believe that people are designed to worship God and serving others is a form of worship. (Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 2:12)

Program Volunteer Code of Conduct

1. In order to protect BSM program participants, staff and volunteers, at no time may a staff person or mentor be alone with a child/teen where a staff member or volunteer cannot be observed by others.
2. Volunteers and staff will never leave a child/teen unsupervised. 
3. Volunteers and staff will never take a child/teen to the restroom alone.
4. Volunteers and staff will not abuse children/teens and supervise corporal punishment of any kind. This includes physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, or neglect. Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and is cause for dismissal. 
5. Volunteers and staff will use positive techniques of guidance, including positive reinforcement, redirection, and encouragement rather than anger, condescending words, and harsh criticism.
6. Volunteers and staff will respect a child/teen's right to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. A child/teen's right to say “NO” is to be encouraged and respected. Children/teenagers are not to be touched in areas on their bodies that would be covered by a bathing suit. 
7. Volunteers and staff will not give gifts or special favors to individual children/teens/adults, including birthdays and/or holidays.
8. Volunteers and staff will not have any form of private interaction through social media, computer or handheld devices with any children/teen/adult in the program.
9. Pictures will not be taken of any child/teen by volunteers unless approved by a staff member. Volunteers may not under any circumstances post pictures of a participant to social media. All posting must be done by a staff member and only if participant's parent or guardian has completed a photo release. 
10. Volunteers and staff will respond to children/teenagers with respect and consideration and treat all equally regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual identity, or culture.
11. Possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs on the property is strictly prohibited.
12. Profanity, inappropriate jokes, and any kind of harassment are prohibited.
13. Staff and volunteers are not to transport participants alone in their own vehicles.
14. Under no circumstances should staff or volunteers release children/teenagers to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian. Exceptions made will require written parent authorization to be put on file with Blue Sky Acres, Inc.
15. Volunteers and staff are required to report any suspicion of child abuse to the Blue Sky Acres Executive Director or Program Director as well as the proper authorities. 

*I understand that any violation of this Code of Conduct may result in immediate dismissal.

Mentor & Listener Agreements (please read carefully before signing below)

• I understand that seeing my Blue Sky Moments participant and/or family consistently is one of the most important things I can do as a Mentor or Listener, therefore I will commit to seeing my participant one hour a week as scheduled or being available as a Listener at least one hour a week, canceling only in the case of emergency. 

• I understand that all contact with my Blue Sky Moments participant and/or family is restricted to the property. I also understand that I am not to transport my participant or family in any manner. 

• I understand that I might be privy to personal information about my Blue Sky Moments participant and family, which I will keep confidential. 

• If a problem arises in my relationship with my participant and/or family, or if my daily schedule, place of employment, residence, or phone number changes, I will notify the Blue Sky Moments staff immediately. 

• In completing this application, I understand that Blue Sky Acres, Inc. may randomly perform a criminal background check for the Volunteer Mentor or Listener position for which I am applying. By signing below I give permission for random background checks to be conducted.

• I understand that Blue Sky Acres, Inc. is a Christ-centered, faith-based organization and I am required to sign a statement of faith in order to be considered for the position of Volunteer Mentor or Listener.  

Mentor Agreement

• I understand that the Blue Sky Moments program involves spending a minimum of one hour every week for 10 weeks or until the end of the current semester with a selected participant.

• I understand that I will be required to complete an activity log for my participant after each session for a total of ten upon completion of the semester.

• I understand that throughout the year I may be asked to participate in additional trainings that are relevant to being a Mentor.