Volunteer Guidelines

Happy_logoVolunteers are our most important resource. The Happy Club is a completely volunteer-run program. All expenses that occur during an activity (including tickets, meals) will be paid for by the Metro Atlanta YMCA. We do not ask of your money, but of your time.

Purpose

  • Assist the Happy Club to provide a social club that develops the spirit, mind and body of people with developmental disabilities.
  • Assist Chapter Coordinator as a chaperone on activities.
  • Lead participants through safe, fun, and challenging activities.
  • Enjoy yourself during activities.

Reports to

Chapter Coordinator

Personal Qualifications

  • Friendly and energetic personality.
  • Able to follow instructions and manage a small group of adults (3–5).
  • Previous experience with people with developmental disabilities is helpful, but NOT REQUIRED. Training Provided
  • 15 minute orientation with Chapter Coordinator.
  • On the job training with experienced Volunteer.
  • CPR class after 30 hours as a Happy Club Volunteer provided upon request.

Time Commitment

  • Activities range from 4 to 8 hours each and are planned three months in advance.
  • Volunteers pick which activities they would like to attend and either mail back the activity sign-up sheet, or contact the Coordinator.

Benefits!

  • Enjoy the many rewards of building relationships with people with developmental disabilities.
  • Make a difference working closely with people with developmental disabilities to help them grow and develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
  • Learn about the special needs of people with developmental disabilities.
  • Participate in educating the community at large—both through participation and observation—in understanding people with developmental disabilities under conditions where they are accepted, respected, and able to participate.

Guidelines

Activity Arrival

  • We request all volunteers arrive at the YMCA at least 15 minutes before the activity start. This allows the Coordinator to discuss activity guidelines and assign tasks for greeting and check-in.
  • We request first-time volunteers to arrive at the YMCA at least 30 minutes before the activity start for a short orientation with the Coordinator.

Activity Expenses

  • All volunteer expenses are paid for by the YMCA—including tickets, meals, and refreshments.
  • If you are requested to handle money for any Happy Club expenses, please get receipts and label them with a description of the expense and the name of the Participant (if applicable). Turn all receipts and remaining cash into the Coordinator before the end of the activity.

Activity Meals

  • Meals/snacks on an activity will be indicated on the activity schedule. The price of the meal/snack may be included in the activity fee, or the Participant may be requested to bring their own money.
  • If participants are requested to bring a meal (bag lunch), we request volunteers to do so as well.
  • If meals/snacks are not provided or indicated on the activity schedule, please do not allow the Participant to purchase food.

Participant Expenses

  • Participants are instructed to bring spending money to activities when appropriate. Some participants will bring more money than other participants—that’s OK, it reinforces real-life experiences—we all have different financial means.
  • When helping a Participant make a purchase, with their own money, your goals are to ensure they—
      • Order and obtain the item(s) properly
      • Pay the correct amount
      • Receive the proper change
        … Overall—to help the purchasing experience be positive for the Participant and vendor.
  • Before assisting a Participant with purchasing items, determine how much spending money they have. Be aware, a Participant may say he/she doesn’t have money when he/she does (encourage them to show you their wallet, show you what’s in their pockets). Or he/she may directly ask you to purchase something for him/her. To support the development of independent living and life/social skills we ask all volunteers not to pay for expenses for Participants.

Bathroom Safety/Liability

Our responsibility is to chaperone Participants to/from the bathroom to ensure their safety.

  • Volunteers must not assist participants with bathroom duties in any way.
  • No two participants are allowed in one bathroom stall.
  • Volunteers must not be in the bathroom area alone with one participant. When chaperoning one participant in the bathroom, stand in or near the doorway—in the public eye at all times.