Support Call Notes | Boundaries

MARCH 7-8 ANNOUNCEMENTS Announcements:  Please RSVP for our annual Volunteer Recognition Event! It will be April 30th in Lansing. More information was sent out via email. RSVP to Margy Howes at howesm@umich.edu. Thank you!  The Buddy-to-Buddy program is seeking community events to attend. If there are any events in your area, please let us know so that we may send a representative!  Please log on to the website to submit your interaction logs, drill/event visit logs here: https://buddytobuddy.org/volunteer/auth/login.  If you are on Facebook, please visit and like our page: www.facebook.com/BuddytoBuddyProgram.

MARCH 7-8 DISCUSSION VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NOTES Monday, March 7, 2016, 5-6 pm VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NO ISSUES/ CONCERNS IDENTIFIED

Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 12-1 pm VOLUNTEER SUPPORT CALL NO ISSUES/ CONCERNS IDENTIFIED

______________________________________________________________________________ Discussion Topic: Volunteer Boundaries

Boundaries In your interactions with service members and veterans, you will find that the course of action to pursue is not always clear cut. We are dealing with real-life circumstances and personalities, and each service member’s situation is unique. While not every situation you will encounter is mentioned in this training, we hope the examples that are described will serve as a guide for you. If you encounter any of the situations below, or are not sure if an action is within the scope of your Buddy 2 Volunteer Veteran role, call your Regional Coordinator or the Program Manager before proceeding.

Boundaries: What We Don’t Do Buddy 2s do not:

Here’s why:

Act as mental health professionals or counselors

Could prevent service members and veterans from obtaining the professional help they need.

Provide medical advice or administer medication

This is illegal and could have serious health consequences to the soldier.

Get involved in Chain of Command issues

Could get you removed from the unit and damage the program’s relationship with the unit’s leadership.

Talk about a soldier’s situation Could jeopardize trust or cause feelings of betrayal; with family members or other breach of confidentiality is grounds for dismissal from soldiers the program.

Try to take the place of Could damage your relationship with those existing National Guard resources as well as Buddy-to-Buddy partnerships. programs Take possession of a service member or veteran’s weapon

This is illegal. If asked, please talk to program staff about possible alternative options.

Take possession of paperwork

Could get lost or get into the wrong hands.

Start or hold support groups in armories Recruit soldiers into clubs or organizations

Could damage your reputation at the unit as service members see you as a recruiter, not a resource.

Sell merchandise

Conflict of interest; not appropriate in any instance.

This is outside the scope of the program.

Boundaries: The Gray Area Please consult with program staff if you are asked to do the following:

Here’s why:

Buddy 2s typically do not: Do personal favors Give rides Go to court with service member

Could increase the service member’s dependence on you or set a precedent in the unit (which you may be unable to live up to).

Refer soldier to resources which charge fees

Could cause the service member to be surprised and angry for not having known ahead of time.

Visit a service member’s home or have a service member visit your home

Could be seen as unprofessional and in rare instances could be dangerous.

Act as a sole point of contact about a mental health issue Talk to providers without service member’s permission

Could increase the service member’s dependence on you, and increase reluctance to engage in professional care.

Could violate the service member’s trust. If the situation is an emergency, this is OK.

Buddy 2 Volunteer Veterans are not alone. You are not expected to diagnose mental illness, or to determine on your own whether a service member’s situation has reached a critical point. You are supported by a team of professionals who will provide guidance in addressing concerns that are beyond the scope of your responsibilities as a B2 Volunteer Veteran.

REMEMBER:

If you are not sure if an action is part of your Buddy 2 volunteer role, call your Regional Coordinator or the Program Manager BEFORE proceeding.