Student Service Orientation Training Module Summary

The following is a summary of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center Service Orientation training module. Please remember that, while this training covers some of the important topics related to risk management, there is still much more to know. Any additional questions can be forwarded to the Volunteer and Service Learning at 471-6161.

Go To The Official Student Service Orientation Training Module --> (UT EID Required)

This summary includes information on the following topics:

• Student Service and Community Engagement
• Understanding Community Needs
• Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities
• Volunteer Rights
• Volunteer Responsibilities
• Risk Management: What is it?
• Why does it matter?
• Injury
• Prepare
• Impairment
• Sexual Harassment
• Transportation of Clients
• Confidentiality & Personal Information
• Confidentiality of Agency Records
• Inappropriate Relationships
• Termination of Service

Student service and Community Engagement

Terminology:

Client: any individual receiving or subject to the work service you are doing

Understanding Community Needs

• Suspend your own expectations
• Familiarize yourself with community history, especially prior outreach efforts
• Remain flexible and patient

When you are entering community for the first time, it is very important to recognize that your expectations for the needs and character of the community may be inaccurate or incomplete. Beyond taking the time to learn about the communities needs, it is important to simply remain flexible in terms of your expectations. Always remember that the work you are doing serves community needs. These needs exist independently from you own expectations, and from the expectations of your class, group or organizations.

This means that you might arrive at a site and be asked to wait for a task to present itself, or be asked to stay late to finish a project. You also could be asked to do work that is not exactly what you expected, but that serves the needs of the community you are working with. This is all part of working within the changing dynamic of a community. It is the nature of community engagement that opportunities to serve will often arise unexpectedly, and not at the time or in the manner you would anticipate.

Student Volunteer Rights & Responsibilities

• All student volunteers have rights and responsibilities
• It is important that you have a positive experience

All student volunteers have rights as well as responsibilities to the agencies and communities they serve. If you have concerns about your experience please contact the Volunteer and Service Learning Center. It is important that you have a positive student volunteer experience, and it is also important too identify and address any concerns with an agency so that future students can also have a positive experience.

Student Volunteer Rights

As a student volunteer you have the right to:

• Say no
• To be oriented to the agency and its mission
• To have your service hours documented
• Receive supervision and guidance

As a student volunteer you have a right to say "no" if you are uncomfortable. You have the right to be trained, given guidance and an introduction to the agency's mission. Lastly you have a right to ask for a letter or certificate documenting your hours served.

Student Volunteer Responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a student volunteer include:

• Participating with enthusiasm
• Being honest with the agency about your abilities
• Not accepting or giving gifts to clients
• Representing The University of Texas community

As a student volunteer you are expected to participate in projects with enthusiasm and commitment. You are responsible for being open and honest with the agency about your abilities. You should not agree to do anything you cannot competently handle. A student volunteer is expected to participate in any orientation process, which could include a background check. Also, it is your responsibility to fulfill any time or task commitment the agency gives you. Student volunteers should not accept or give gifts from/to clients. Lastly, please remember you represent The University of Texas.

Risk Management: What is it?

• What is it?
  • Risk management is the process of analyzing exposure to risk and determining how best to handle such exposure

Risk management involves analyzing exposure to risk, and determining how best to handle that exposure. This concept is particularly important for anyone looking to get involved in service activities.

Why does it matter?

• Why does it matter?
  • Service activities are the 2nd riskiest behavior college students engage in; only attendance at parties creates a greater degree of risk
  • Failing to take proper risk management precautions can make you and/or your organization or group liable for accidents
  • Failing to consider risk can put you or the people you are working with in danger

These types of activities are the second riskiest behavior that college students engage in, behind only parties. Failing to take proper risk management precautions can leave you and/or the group you are working with liable for accidents. Failing to consider risk also endangers both you and the clients you work with.

Injury

• How can it be avoided?
  • Make sure you are properly trained to use equipment
  • Wear appropriate protective gear
• What if an injury occurs?
  • In the case of serious injury, immediately call 9-1-1

While injury is rare in general volunteer settings, it is important to take steps to ensure that an injury does not occur. If you are ever asked to work with any equipment, it is very important to ensure that you have received all necessary training.

Finally, always be aware of your environment: watch out for loose or unsteady floors, handrails on stairs, leaking ceilings and other potential hazards. If an injury does occur at your worksite, it is important that you follow any policies and procedures your organization or agency has in place. In the case of a serious injury, immediately call 9-1-1.

Prepare

Please Remember to

• Dress appropriate for the job at hand
• Arrive on time

Do not bring (items of value)

• MP3 players/Ipods, etc.
• Expensive purses/ backpacks

As obvious as it may seem; please remember to dress appropriate for the job at hand. Meaning, do not wear high heels unless you're volunteering for a runway show. T-shirts and closed toed shoes are your best choice. Punctuality is always valued. If it is your first time with an agency it would be wise to look up directions prior to the day of your project. Leaving the house with the agency's number is a good idea just in case you get lost. Please leave items of high value such as purses or jewelry at home.

Impairment

• What is impairment?
  • Psychosocial distress
  • Being under the influence of any substance that may impair you
• What should you do if you are suffering from some form of impairment?
  • If you are experiencing impairment please seek help

Impairment occurs when any combination of psychosocial distress, substance abuse or use interferes with your ability to perform service activities. Psychosocial distress could be a pressing legal issue, major stress from a relationship or work situation. Substances that could impair your ability to perform service include, alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription drugs with strong side effects.

If you find yourself suffering from these types of problems, you should not try to continue the service activity. Attempting to do so can be very damaging, both to you and the individuals you are working with. These types of problems can become very serious, and it is in your best interest to seek out professional help.

Sexual Harassment

• What is sexual harassment?
  • subtle or unsubtle persistent unwanted sexual language or behavior
• What should you do if you feel you have been harassed?
  • tell the harasser to stop

Sexual harassment is defined as any range of subtle or unsubtle persistent unwanted sexual language or behavior. Sexual harassment is illegal. It is important to remember that behavior you perceive as innocent or joking can represent something very different to the person the behavior is directed towards, or to an observer. It is also important to remember that the victim of sexual harassment does not have to be the person directly harassed. Rather, anyone who is offended or otherwise affected by the behavior is considered a victim.

If you feel you are being sexually harassed, you should tell the harasser to stop. This may be difficult, but it sends an important message that the behavior is unwelcome. It is also important that you immediately speak to a program coordinator about the situation. You can also contact the Counseling and Mental Health Center at 471-3515.

Transportation of Clients

• Never take clients in your car

Never take a client in your car, unless it is specifically a part of your program and you have cleared it with all the parties involved. This is especially important when dealing with minors, elderly individuals, or the disabled. In the event of any type of accident or incident you are likely to be held liable. If you have any questions about this, make sure you check with your supervisor or program coordinator.

Confidentiality & Personal Information

• Do not disclose any personal information about clients
  • It is always important to respect the privacy of clients your work with
• If harm or the threat of harm exists, speak with a supervisor

Do not disclose client personal information to your family, friends or other contacts. One exception to this rule exists: if the client discloses a situation where they or another person have been harmed, or where the threat of such harm exists, you may be legally obligated to report it. This is particularly important in situations involving minors or the disabled.

If you become aware of this type of situation, speak about it with your project or program coordinator and determine the appropriate response. If it is found that you were aware of such a situation and failed to report it, you may face legal repercussions.

Confidentiality of Agency Records

• Be aware of your responsibilities
  • Be mindful of records laws (FERPA)
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding client and agency information
• Error on the side of caution

Depending on what type of service you are involved in, you may also have access to confidential records. In this case, it is important to understand your responsibilities.

Records laws are complex, so it is absolutely vital that you become comfortable with whatever regulations govern the organization you are working with. For example, if you are working in a school you will be bound by FERPA (Family Education Rights an Privacy Act) regulations. Make sure that you discuss your responsibilities with your supervisor, and always error on the side of caution with any privacy concerns.

Inappropriate Relationships

• An inappropriate sexual relationship between student volunteers and clients/program staff is defined by:
  • Flirtatious behavior, dating, courtship or physical intimacy
• Pre-existing and appropriate relationships should be discussed with your supervisor

Relationships that involve any combination of dating, courtship (through gifts, love letters, etc.) and/or physical intimacy are considered sexual. As long as you are engaged in service with a group or agency, it is inappropriate to get involved in sexual relationships with clients or supervisors.

If there was a pre-existing, appropriate relationship, this should be disclosed and discussed with any appropriate supervisors prior to beginning service.

Termination of Service

• Act in a respectful and professional manner
• Give two weeks notice
• Find fill-ins for any missed shifts
• Be mindful of your clients feelings

It is important to act in a respectful, professional manner in terminating your service. Always try to give the organization or agency two weeks notice before you leave. If for some reason you must leave a service position rapidly, take the initiative in finding people to fill in for you on any days you will be unable to work.

Make sure that you are conscious of the effect your decision to leave will have upon your clients. If appropriate, make sure to give them warning of your departure and try to minimize any distress it might cause them.

The Official Tutoring and Mentoring Training Module is coming soon!