Volunteer Policies and Guidelines
All volunteers must agree to abide by all rules, policies and guidelines of IntelliChoice Organization,
whether verbal or written, while participating in volunteer services at any of IntelliChoice Branches.
The IntelliChoice Organization may require volunteers to immediately withdraw from providing any
and all volunteer services in the event their conduct, demeanor or cooperation is unsatisfactory to
IntelliChoice, all of which are in our sole discretion.
1. Volunteer Applications
All volunteers must be at least 13 years of age by the date they start to volunteer on. Prior to
volunteering at one of IntelliChoice Branches, every volunteer must submit an online volunteer
application EVERY YEAR at IntelliChoice.org and pass a successful background check. Upon
registration, volunteers must wait until they receive a notification email from IntelliChoice to begin the
volunteer service. Once accepted into our volunteer program, it is expected of volunteers to sign up
for volunteer shifts in advance to volunteering.
A. Junior volunteers must submit their application along with parent or legal guardian’s
signature.
B. Returning volunteers can renew their application in their account.
2. Background Check
All volunteers who are 18 years and older must successfully complete the registration and
background check process. Notification of the volunteer status will be emailed to the individual
volunteer, and a copy of the findings can be made available upon request. Any criminal proceedings,
including those which may occur AFTER a background check, must be reported to IntelliChoice
immediately. Background check must be renewed every three years. A volunteer’s application shall
be DENIED if any check reveals the applicant has been convicted of any crime involving the following:
violence or threats of violence, felony weapon/drug offenses, sexual offenses, theft, Class B
Misdemeanor or above, burglary, DWI/DUI, stalking.
3. Liability Waiver Form
In addition to background check, all adult volunteers must agree to the liability waiver form. This
agreement releases the IntelliChoice Organization from all liability relating to any injuries that may
occur during activities. All junior volunteers must submit liability waiver form signed electronically by
their parent or guardian.
4. Volunteer Orientation
Volunteers who are a part of IntelliChoice Chapters will have volunteer orientations that are held
throughout the school year for all new and returning volunteers. This volunteer orientation provides
information about volunteer policies and opportunities and is also a chance to meet other school
volunteers. Orientations are not mandatory but are highly recommended for all current or potential
volunteers. For more information, please contact officers of the IntelliChoice Chapter that you belong
to.
5. Guidelines for Appropriate Behaviors and Communication
A. Volunteers must always serve as positive role models and be professional and respectful at
all times. They must always use appropriate language and discuss only age-appropriate
topics. It is not appropriate to discuss your religious beliefs or to engage a student in a
conversation about his or her religious beliefs.
B. Volunteers should encourage students to return to tutoring services.
C. Volunteers shall never give students gifts, rewards, or food items of any kind without the
Branch Manager’s advance permission. They also must refrain from disciplining students
(behaviors needing discipline should be directed to the Branch Manager, the Site Manager,
or IntelliChoice Officers).
D. Volunteers may not meet with students outside of IntelliChoice tutoring program. Volunteers
may not go offsite with a student and are not permitted to giving rides for students under any
circumstances. Volunteers may not ask for a student’s address, phone number or email
address. Likewise, volunteers may not share their address, phone number, or email address
with students. Meetings with students in their homes or at any other public or private location
will return in dismissal from IntelliChoice.
E. If a student or parent asks about being tutored outside of IntelliChoice tutoring program,
volunteers must advise them that they are only available at the tutoring sessions that
IntelliChoice provides. No private tutoring takes place outside of IntelliChoice tutoring
program.
F. Never be alone with a student without the Branch Manager, the Site Manager, or parent
nearby. When tutoring in a room, leave the door open, or stay in a common area in plain
sight. All volunteers must be in a supervised setting at all times.
6. Safe Touch
Touching children carries risks, as the volunteer can be accused of impropriety, unnecessary physical
contact or sexual harassment. A finding of sexual harassment is just cause for disciplinary action and
loss of volunteer privileges, and other consequences may include legal action. It is very important to
maintain adequate physical boundaries between the students, giving each student his or her own
safe, personal space. The best rule of thumb is to avoid all touching. Some forms of touch MAY
be acceptable, including handshakes, “high fives,” or “first bumps.” However, cultural perspective,
beliefs, and personal history may affect a student’s personal boundaries.
7. Confidentiality
All volunteers must keep private ANY information regarding student academic, emotional, social,
medical, of family information. Disclosure of student information by a volunteer is a violation of the
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and may subject the volunteer or the
district to civil liability. Even without mentioning a student’s name, details can be used to identify a
student or family, thus violating that student or family’s right to privacy.
8. Child Safety Concerns
When hearing or witnessing something that causes concern for a child’s safety, or if a student
confides an abusive situation, it is required of all volunteers to alert the Branch Manager or the Site
Manager so that they can further investigate the situation. They are required by law to share this
information with the proper authorities.
What are some signs of possible abuse?
Signs of injury, such as welts, bruising, cuts, burns, fractures or swelling
A history of repeated, untreated, or unexplained physical injury
A contradiction between the “story” of injury and the physical evidence
The child appears uncomfortable or afraid when discussing the injury
The child alludes to, or seems preoccupied with, sexual matters
9. Tutoring Guidelines
A. Volunteers can choose to teach students of grades (K-12) that they are most comfortable
working with.
B. Volunteers must take responsibility and work with 2-3 students on a regular basis.
C. If students are not asking for help, it is expected of volunteers to take the initiative and
actively ask the students if they need assistance.
10. General Policies and Guidelines
A. All tutoring scheduling and cancellation will be announced on the IntelliChoice Website.
B. We ask all volunteers to sign up for your volunteer shifts prior to volunteering. Pre-arranged
absences may be worked out directly with the Branch Manager.
C. We ask all volunteers to commit to volunteering at least twice a month through the academic
year.
D. All volunteers must sign in at the designated location before starting to volunteer. This is
required for purposes of liability and to know the location of a volunteer in case of an
emergency. We are also able to document the high level of volunteer participation at each
branch. Tracking this information is also helpful for recognition and funding purposes.
E. All volunteers are recommended to wear an IntelliChoice T-shirt or volunteer sticker from the
Branch Manager whenever volunteering.
F. We work hard to place each volunteer in just the right spot. If problems arise – with individual
students or a group of students, or even personality conflicts with other adults – We are here
to help guide you toward success! You may feel your need more training, or you may wish a
change of branch location, subject area, or grade level.
