Hand in Hand Guidebook

mentor

college

My
Story

reciprocity

Hand in Hand Guidebook
for
Volunteers





2011‐2012

What’s

Inside?

About
Hand
in
Hand

Page
3

Application
Process

Page
4

Mentor
Responsibilities

 Page
5
 Buddy
Time

Page
6

Large
Group
Events

Page
7

Mentoring
Tips

Page
8

Rules
and
Safety

Page
9

Contact
Information

Page
10

The power of

collaboration

Hand
in
Hand
is
a
mentorship
program
at
Hancock
Elementary
School.
It
is
led
by
a
Hamline
student
organization.
 ❏ Hand
in
Hand
is
student
led
through
 Hamline
University.

 ❏ It
is
a
one‐to‐one
mentorship
 program
that
pairs
1st‐6th
grade
 Hancock
students
with
Hamline
 students.

 ❏ Hancock
and
Hamline
“Hand
in
Hand
 buddies”
meet
once
a
week
at
 Hancock
Elementary
School
for
45
 minutes
to:
 • Play
games

 • Discuss
future
opportunities
 like
college.
 • Learn
about
each
other
 through
writing
a
collection
 of
stories
and
making
art.

We
learn
together
and
benefit
 immensely
through
reciprocal
 relationships.
 
 HIH
fosters
positive
relationships
 between
elementary
students
and
 members
of
the
University
community.

 
 You
provide
young
students
the
 opportunity
to
have
an
older
friend
and
 experience
a
piece
of
university
life.
You
 help
them
to
envision
their
future
and
 all
its
possibilities.
You
model
the
 importance
of
learning,
especially
 reading
and
writing.
You
help
to
nurture
 and
develop
the
communication
and
 social
skills
of
your
Hancock
buddy.

In
return,
you
will
learn
so
much
from
 your
Hancock
buddy
and
you’ll
gain
 new
perspectives
on
communities
and
 life
in
general.
Take
a
break
from
school,
 be
a
kid
again!
Your
buddy
will
look
 forward
to
seeing
you
each
week.
You
 might
be
the
only
mentor
in
their
lives.

We
are
made
possible
through
 the
Hancock‐Hamline
 Collaboration,
a
partnership
 between
Hancock
Elementary
 and
Hamline
University.

 Learn
more
about
the
Collaboration
by
 visiting
www.hamline.edu/hancock

“

”

I am interested in joining Hand in Hand because I know the important role a mentor plays in the lives of youth.

‐Hand
in
Hand
Volunteer

Participation
in
the
program:
Hamline
volunteer
applications
and
Hancock
student
nominations

Volunteer
Selection:
 Hamline
students
typically
apply
for
the
 Hand
in
Hand
volunteer
position
in
the
 Fall
of
each
year.
However,
students
can
 still
apply
at
any
time
throughout
the
 year.

 
 Hamline
students
are
accepted
into
the
 program
based
on
an
application
that
 asks
for
their
time
availability
and
a
few
 questions
that
inquire
about
their
 willingness
to
commit
and
desire
to
 participate.
 
 Once
accepted
into
the
program,
 volunteers
attend
a
Hand
in
Hand
 training
(including
a
tour
of
Hancock),
 complete
a
volunteer
registration
form

and
agree
to
follow
all
program
 regulations
which
are
detailed
in
this
 handbook.

 
 Volunteers
must
also
agree
to
abide
by
 all
of
the
guidelines
set
by
the
St.
Paul
 School
District,
Hancock,
Hamline
 University,
and
all
state
and
federal
 laws,
while
with
any
Hancock
student.

In
2011‐2012,
we
accepted
over
 100
volunteers
and
90
of
those
 followed
through
with
training
 and
began
the
program
by
 November
1st.

Hancock
Student
Nominations:

 Hancock
students
are
nominated
for
the
 program
for
many
different
reasons.
 Some
teachers
nominate
students
 because
they
are:

 ❏ Shy
in
the
classroom
and
would
 benefit
from
more
social
interaction.
 ❏ Still
learning
English
and
would
 benefit
from
increased
language
 interaction
and
support
with
an
 English
speaker.
 ❏ Experiencing
behavioral
problems
in
 class
and
could
benefit
from
having
 a
positive
role‐model

 ❏ Experiencing
issues
at
home
or
in
 their
social
life
and
could
benefit
 from
having
a
consistent
mentor
 who
takes
an
interest
in
them.

Responsibilities as a HIH mentor:

Commitment is key

As
a
mentor,
your
commitment
to
your
Hancock
buddy
is
the
most
important
piece
of
the
Hand
in
Hand
program.

Commitment:
 All
volunteers
agree
to
commit
to
45
 minutes
per
week
for
a
minimum
of
one
 Hamline
University
semester,
but
 preferably
for
an
entire
school
year
or
 more.
This
time
is
to
be
spent
one‐on‐ one
with
your
Hancock
buddy.
 Volunteers
sign‐in
each
week
in
a
 logbook
to
verify
that
they
came.
The
 Retention
Officer
will
contact
any
 volunteer
who
misses
a
buddy
session
 without
notice.
Three
missed
 consecutive
sessions
will
result
in
 termination
from
the
program. If,
at
any
 time,
a
volunteer
must
leave
the
 program
for
any
reason,
that
volunteer
 must
notify
the
Hand
in
Hand
executive
 board,
his/her
buddy's
classroom
 teacher,
and
his/her
Hancock
buddy.

If
your
buddy
is
absent…
 If
you
go
to
your
buddy's
classroom
and
 he/she
is
absent
for
the
day
or
 unavailable
to
be
with
you,
leave
a
note
 for
him/her
and
sign
out.
When
signing
 out
comment
in
the
logbook
that
your
 buddy
was
absent,
and
you
will
be
 granted
credit
for
your
session
for
that
 week.
It
is
preferred
that
you
make
an
 effort
to
return
another
day
that
week,
 though
it
is
not
required.


 
 If
you
need
to
cancel
a
session…
 If
a
meeting
with
your
buddy
cannot
be
 kept,
you
must
do
the
following:


 ❏ Notify
the
Retention
Officer
 ❏ Contact
your
buddy’s
teacher
by
 phone,
email
or
in
person.

 ❏ Attempt
to
reschedule
your
meeting
 for
that
week
with
the
teacher.

If
you
need
to
re‐schedule…
 You
may
reschedule
or
adjust
your
 meeting
times
with
your
buddy's
 teacher
without
having
to
notify
anyone
 else.
Your
meeting
times
are
 automatically
canceled
if
they
are
 scheduled
over
either
a
Hamline
or
 Hancock
school
vacation
and
do
not
 need
to
be
rescheduled.
Just
be
sure
 that
your
buddy
is
aware
of
the
 changes.
This
is
especially
important
if
 you
will
be
gone
over
J‐term
‐
don't
let
 your
buddy
wonder
where
you
are
for
a
 month!

Keep
in
mind
that
your
Hand
in
 Hand
buddy
will
take
it
 personally
if
you
do
not
show
 up,
so
don't
break
their
hearts!

“

I did Hand in Hand last year and really enjoyed it. My buddy's name was Wongsakorn and I really loved the time we spent together. It's an honor to work with kids at Hancock, to hear about their lives and try to impact them by showing them they are important and are loved by this community. .

”

‐Hand
in
Hand
Volunteer

Hand
in
Hand
mentors
spend
time
with
their
Hand
in
Hand
buddies
in
a
variety
of
meaningful
ways.

Where
do
buddies
meet?

Game
and
Play
Time:

Writing
Folders:

Buddies
typically
meet
for
sessions
near
 the
Hand
in
Hand
Buddy
Cabinet,
 located
near
the
cafeteria.
You
and
your
 buddy
may
use
unoccupied
space
on
 Hancock
grounds.

 Some
ideas
are:
the
hallway
(where
the
 buddy
cabinet
is),
the
cafeteria,
the
 gym,
or
the
playground
(if
a
teacher
is
 out
there
with
their
class).
You
may
not
 take
your
buddy
off
Hancock
property
 unless
it
is
for
a
Hand
in
Hand
sponsored
 Large
Group
Event.
If
you
have
any
 questions
about
where
you
can
go,
stop
 in
the
office
and
ask.
For
safety
reasons,
 you
must
be
in
plain
view
at
all
times
 with
your
buddy. You
may
also
have
 lunch
with
you
buddy
any
day
during
 their
lunchtime
in
the
cafeteria.

The
Buddy
Cabinet
is
full
of
fun
and
 educational
games
that
you
and
your
 buddy
can
play
with.
There
are
also
 sports
related
toys
available
for
outside
 play.
Game
time
is
a
good
way
to
build
a
 relationship
with
your
buddy.

You
will
engage
in
writing
with
your
 buddy
and
keep
this
writing
in
a
folder.
 For
example,
one
buddy
pair
might
 develop
an
entire
story
based
on
a
 memory
she/he
has.
There
will
be
many
 resources
provided
to
you
(next
to
the
 buddy
cabinet)
to
prompt
and
inspire
 your
buddy
to
talk
and
write
about
 themselves.
This
project
will
require
a
 lot
of
your
guidance.
It
is
an
opportunity
 for
you
to
get
to
know
your
buddy
 better
and
vice
versa.
The
more
you
get
 to
know
your
buddy,
the
more
you
will
 be
able
to
guide
your
buddy
in
writing
 and
talking
about
topics
that
they
are
 interested
in.
Altogether
it
is
also
a
tool
 to
allow
your
buddy
to
develop
and
 share
his/her
story
and
other
writing.

Focused
Discussions:

A
core
initiative
of
Hand
in
Hand
is
to
 promote
college
awareness
in
the
lives
 of
Hancock
youth.
We
ask
that
you
 center
some
of
your
discussions
with
 your
buddy
on
college
related
topics.
 Ask
your
buddy
about
their
hopes
and
 dreams
in
life
and
share
your
growing
 knowledge
about
college.
Connect
their
 choices
in
school
to
post‐secondary
 access.
Model
your
academic
behavior.

Getting Together for

Large Group Events

Once
a
semester,
all
the
Hand
in
Hand
buddies
gather
to
celebrate
Hand
in
Hand
at
a
Large
Group
Event.

What
is
an
L.G.E.?

College
Awareness:

Publishing
Party:

Large‐group
events
will
be
held
once
a
 semester.
These
events
are
a
great
way
 for
all
the
buddy
pairs
to
get
together
 with
other
buddies
and
participate
in
 activities.
All
volunteers
are
encouraged
 to
attend
each
large‐group
event.
If
a
 Hamline
volunteer
is
unable
to
attend
a
 large‐group
event,
his/her
buddy
will
 not
be
able
to
attend
either.
If
you
and
 your
buddy
attend
a
Large
Group
event,
 this
may
take
the
place
of
your
regular
 meeting;
however,
if
you
have
time
for
 both,
that
works,
too!

 
 **Note:
You
must
walk
to
and
from
 Hamline
with
your
buddy
and
the
group
 for
each
Large
Group
Event.

Traditionally,
the
first
Large
Group
Event
 focuses
on
promoting
college
 awareness.
In
past
years,
this
event
has
 consisted
of
eating
lunch
at
Kay
 Fredericks
Ballroom
on
the
Hamline
 campus
while
buddies
engaged
in
 discussions
about
college‐related
topics.

At
the
end
of
the
year,
buddies
gather
 together
at
the
last
Large
Group
Event
 to
share
their
writing
with
each
other.
 At
this
point,
buddy
pairs
should
have
 produced
one
or
more
pieces
of
writing
 that
they
“polished”
into
a
finished
 product.
In
preparation
for
this
event,
 buddies
can
use
the
materials
in
the
arts
 and
crafts
bins
(next
to
the
Buddy
 Cabinet)
to
finish
or
complete
their
 piece
of
writing.
At
the
event,
buddy
 pairs
will
read
aloud
portions
of
their
 writing
in
small
groups.

Sorin
Lunch:

A
favorite
Large
Group
Event
of
many
 buddies
is
the
annual
Sorin
Lunch.
 Hamline
mentors
share
a
piece
of
 University
life
with
their
buddies
by
 having
lunch
with
them
in
the
Sorin
 Dining
room
during
convo
hour.
This
 event
is
usually
split
into
two
days
and
 organized
by
grade‐level
in
order
to
 account
for
all
the
buddies.

Large
Group
Events
celebrate
 the
relationships
that
are
 forged
through
Hand
in
Hand.

Tips for…

Interacting with your buddy

These
are
some
ideas
for
how
you
can
interact
with
your
buddy
in
a
positive
manner.


 ❏ Be
warm
and
friendly.


 
 ❏ Show
an
interest
in
what
your
buddy
 is
doing
and
what
he/she
is
telling
 you.
You
are
a
very
important
 listener
to
her/him!


 
 ❏ Be
absolutely
honest
with
your
 buddy!
If
you
don't
know
an
answer
 or
are
unsure
of
what
to
do,
admit
it
 to
the
child
and
work
it
out
 together.
This
actually
encourages
 children;
they
see
that
you
are
not
 perfect
and
they
don't
have
to
be
 either.


 
 ❏ Use
tact
and
positive
comments.
 Encourage
your
buddy
with
 compliments,
especially
when
 he/she
is
having
difficulties.

❏ When
working
with
your
buddy,
 encourage
them
to
do
their
own
 thinking.
Give
them
plenty
of
time
to
 answer
a
question.
Silence
often
 means
they
are
thinking
and
 organizing
what
they
want
to
say.


 
 ❏ Respect
your
buddy's
privacy.
If
 he/she
reveals
any
personal
 information
it
is
to
be
kept
in
strict
 confidence.

 
 ❏ Encourage
your
buddy
to
do
her/his
 best.



 
 ❏ Ask
about
your
buddy’s
favorite
 movies,
hangouts,
CD’s,
or
types
of
 music
etc.
Following
up
with
open‐ ended
questions,
such
as
“What
do
 you
like
(or
think)
about…?”
spurs

students
to
use
their
language
skills
 to
support
their
opinions.

❏ Maintain
a
positive
attitude.

 
 ❏ Act
as
a
resource
for
your
buddy.
Let
 them
know
that
they
can
 communicate
with
you
any
 problems
or
questions
they
may
 have
about
anything.

 
 ❏ Be
compassionate
and
model
 compassionate
thinking.


 
 ❏ Speak
to
your
buddy’s
teacher
or
 one
of
the
Hancock
Literacy
Coaches
 to
learn
more
about
your
buddy’s
 needs
and
strategies
for
how
to
 meet
them.

Other Concerns:

Rules and Safety

There
are
a
few
rules
and
safety
guidelines
that
all
Hand
in
Hand
mentors
should
follow.

Wear
appropriate
clothing:

Safety
and
Drills:

Respect
your
buddy’s
privacy:

If
your
clothing
violates
a
Hancock
rule,
 please
don't
wear
it.
Revealing
clothing
 or
clothing
that
advertises
cigarettes,
 alcohol
or
other
illegal
drugs
should
not
 be
worn.
As
a
general
rule,
if
you
have
 clothing
that
would
be
inappropriate
for
 a
third
grader
to
wear,
don't
wear
it
at
 Hancock.

As
a
general
rule,
use
your
own
good
 judgment
about
safety.
The
most
 important
safety
issue
for
Hand
in
Hand
 is
that
you
do
not
leave
Hancock
 property
alone
with
your
buddy.
If
you
 are
at
Hancock
with
your
buddy
and
 there
is
a
storm
or
fire
drill,
please
 follow
the
nearest
class
and
stay
with
 them
until
the
drill
is
over.

If
your
buddy
reveals
any
personal
 information
it
is
to
be
kept
in
strict
 confidence.
However,
if
something
that
 is
revealed
concerns
you,
speak
with
 her/his
teacher
or
the
Hancock
social
 worker
immediately.
You
can
always
 speak
to
any
of
the
Hand
in
Hand
 Executive
Board
members
as
well.

❏ Physically
discipline
students


 ❏ Diagnose
students'
needs
or
 problems
and
counsel
students
 ❏ Make
promises
that
cannot
be
kept


 ❏ Discuss
confidential
information
 regarding
a
Hancock
student
with
 others

If
you
have
an
issue
or
a
concern,
you
 may
always
notify
Hand
in
Hand
 through
e‐mail
by
contacting
us
at
 hamlinehih@gmail.com.
If
it
is
an
 immediate
issue,
please
speak
to
the
 Assistant
Principal
or
Principal
 immediately
and
then
follow
up
with
us
 by
e‐mailing
Hand
in
Hand
later.

Gifts:

 Hamline
volunteers
are
not
allowed
to
 bring
gifts
for
their
Hancock
buddies.

Be
visible
at
all
times:

When
spending
time
with
your
buddy,
 you
must
be
visible
to
Hancock
 employees
at
all
times.
You
may
never
 be
alone
with
your
buddy.

What
you
should
not
do:

Other
Concerns:

Learn More:

Contact us and visit us online

Visit
us
online
at
https://sites.google.com/site/hamlinehih
and
e­mail
us
at
hamlinehih@gmail.com

Learn
More

Hand
in
Hand
Executive
Board

Our
website
features
online
applications,
 a
Volunteer
Portal
for
resources,
tips,
 and
announcements
along
with
photo
 galleries
of
Large
Group
Events
and
 buddies.

 https://sites.google.com/site/hamlinehih
 
 E‐mail
us
with
any
specific
concerns
or
 questions
about
Hand
in
Hand.

 Hamlinehih@gmail.com

President
|
Margaret
Crenshaw
 
 Vice
President
|
Tessa
Mortenson
 
 Secretary
|
Paige
Stein

 
 Treasurer
|
Emily
Hoover
 
 Retention
Officer
|
Laura
Kaiser
 
 Public
Relations
Chair|
Claire
Olstad
 
 Program
Evaluation
Board
|
Brooklyn
 Petrich,
Kate
Bant,
and
Katherine
Tilton
 
 To
become
a
member
of
the
board,
apply
 online
by
visiting
our
website.

Visit
the
Hancock‐Hamline
website
to
 learn
more
about
the
Hancock‐Hamline
 Collaboration.
 http://www.hamline.edu/hancock
 
 Visit
Hancock
School’s
website:

 www.hancock.spps.org

Hancock‐Hamline
Contacts
 Assistant
Principal
|
Deborah
Shipp

 • Deborah.shipp@spps.org
 
 Literacy
Coach
|
Martha
Salzman
 • Martha.salzman@spps.org
 
 HIH
Staff
Advisor
|
Margot
Howard
 • mhoward03@hamline.edu

Announcements:

Announcements
regarding
Hand
in
 Hand
are
sent
to
the
volunteers
via
e‐ mail
and
are
posted
on
the
Buddy
 Cabinet
and
sign‐in
area
at
Hancock.