TOOL KIT
e-Buddies Coordinator
Best Buddies Colleges
Academic Year 2002-2003
CONTACTS
Best Buddies Program Manager
Name:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
e-mail:
Provider Agency
Contact Person:
Agency:
Address:
Phone:
Fax:
e-mail:
e-Buddies Headquarters
Mailing Address:
401 Ninth Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington DC 20004
E-mail Address:
[email protected]
Phone:
202-266-2275
Web Page:
www.ebuddies.org
Best Buddies International Headquarters
Mailing Address:
100 SE 2nd Street
Suite 1990
Miami, Florida 33131
Phone:
1-800-89-BUDDY
Web Page:
www.bestbuddies.org
Copyright 2002
Best Buddies International
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC
PAGE
THE BIG PICTURE
Introduction
Best Buddies International
e-Buddies
3
4
4
GETTING STARTED
Year at a Glance Calendar
e-Buddies Coordinator
How Does e-Buddies Work?
Recruitment
Signing Up
Sending the first e-mail
Computer Access Situations
• Host Site has Computers
• Buddies have access to Computers
• Buddies have no access to Computers
5
6
6
7
7
8
9
10
10
MAINTAINING THE ACTIVITY
Involving the Chapter
Meetings
Paperwork
Activities
Trouble Shooting
Frequently Asked Questions
11
11
12
13
13
14
FORMS
Roster, e-Log, e-Check Samples
Roster Forms
e-Log Form
e-Check Forms
Fall Semester Evaluation
Spring Semester Evaluation
15
16,17
18
19,20
21,22
23,24
SAMPLES
Introductory Letter to Parents/Guardians
Permission Slip
Introductory Letter to Host Site Staff
Best Buddies Website Scavenger Hunt
2
25
26
27
28
THE BIG PICTURE
Introduction
If you are reading this, you have accepted the opportunity to serve as the e-Buddies Coordinator for
your Best Buddies Colleges chapter. Welcome Aboard! This booklet will serve as your guide while
you work to fulfill your officer responsibilities. Turn to it for specific information about e-Buddies
and your role as the e-Buddies Coordinator. Although this tool kit will provide you with the answers
to most of your questions, remember that you can always contact your Program Manager for
additional information.
Thank you for serving as the e-Buddies Coordinator for academic year 2002-2003. Your efforts will
help to make e-Buddies accessible to the Buddies in your chapter, consequently, expanding their
circle of friends. Remember, you are helping Best Buddies International to change the world, one
friendship at a time.
Best Buddies International
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual
disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Best Buddies began in 1987, when Founder and Chairman, Anthony K. Shriver realized the lack of
opportunity people with intellectual disabilities had to socialize with non-disabled peers. As a
college student, Mr. Shriver also knew that students had the energy and commitment to positively
transform their communities. His inspiration to bring both groups together created Best Buddies.
Since it’s incorporation in 1989, Best Buddies has impacted the lives of more than 150,000 volunteers
and individuals with intellectual disabilities in hundreds of communities across the United States,
Canada, Greece and Egypt. Today, Best Buddies offers six programs:
Best Buddies Citizens
Best Buddies Colleges
Best Buddies High Schools
Best Buddies Jobs
Best Buddies Middle Schools
e-Buddies
Programs
The Arc, (formerly known as The Association for Retarded Citizens), estimates that 3% of the
population are people with intellectual disabilities. In the United States alone, this includes more
than 7.5 million individuals. In America, one out of ten families is directly affected by intellectual
disabilities. Of the 7.5 million individuals with intellectual disabilities, 85% are unemployed and
53% never visit friends or have no friends. Most people with intellectual disabilities live their lives in
the company of family members or paid staff.
When people with disabilities are unable to keep a job, it is most often due to a lack of social skills
rather than a lack of ability to perform the work required. Best Buddies offers socialization
opportunities and job coaching, providing the tools needed for people with intellectual disabilities
to become more independent and more included in the community.
3
THE BIG PICTURE
Best Buddies Citizens pairs adults with intellectual
disabilities in one-to-one friendships with adult
volunteers from the corporate and civic communities.
Friends and family are the foundation that help each
of us to become successful. Without love, support
and friends, our lives would be empty-a life that
people with intellectual disabilities have been forced
to live throughout history. Volunteers are changing
this by sharing their time with a new friend.
Best Buddies Colleges pairs adults with intellectual
disabilities in one-to-one friendships with college
students. Without friends and family, we are alone.
In the past, individuals with intellectual disabilities
have not had the opportunity to have friends outside
of their own environment.
Best Buddies High Schools pairs high school students
in one-to-one friendships with peers with intellectual
disabilities. By introducing Best Buddies into public
and private high schools, we are crossing the invisible
line that too often separates those with disabilities
from those without.
Best Buddies Jobs is a supported employment
program for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The program targets potential employers in
competitive job sites, places individuals and
promotes ongoing support and training, enabling
people with intellectual disabilities to earn an income,
pay taxes and work in an environment alongside
others in the community.
Best Buddies Middle Schools pairs middle school
students with and without intellectual disabilities in
one-to-one friendships. In today’s middle schools,
students with intellectual disabilities often enter the
same building and walk the same hallways as their
peers, but they are left out of social activities.
e-Buddies pairs individuals with and without
intellectual disabilities in a caring online friendship.
4
e-Buddies
e-Buddies is the newest of Best
Buddies International’s friendship
programs. e-Buddies seeks to fulfill
the mission of Best Buddies
International by facilitating e-mail
friendships between people with
and without intellectual disabilities.
Individuals are matched in e-mail
friendships based on age, gender
and similar interests. e-Buddies
never matches individuals that
reside in the same state. Participants
must commit to the program for one
year and to e-mail their match once
per week.
e-Buddies provides individuals with
intellectual disabilities an
opportunity to develop new
friendships while acquiring much
needed computer skills. The benefits
of that are immeasurable.
It is important to remember that
e-Buddies is not meant to replace
the college Best Buddies chapter,
nor are College Buddies expected to
stop seeing their Buddy in person
and start e-mailing instead.
e-Buddies offers a wonderful
opportunity to introduce Buddies to
e-mail, and to spread the word to
your chapter and community about
this exciting new program. If
you ever have questions about
e-Buddies, please do not hesitate to
contact your Program Manager, visit
www.ebuddies.org, or e-mail
[email protected].
GETTING STARTED
Year at a glance calendar
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
• Meet independently with Host Site Coordinator
to discuss e-Buddies
• Introduce e-Buddies to parents of Buddies
and/or Host Site Staff through a meeting or
mailing
• Develop a plan to introduce program to
Buddies and secure their participation
• Explain e-Buddies and how it relates to the
Chapter to the potential College Buddies and
Associate Members at the organizational
meeting
OCTOBER
• At first meeting explain to College Buddies and
Associate Members how they can help the
Buddies participate in e-Buddies
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and process
for signing up participants
• Sign Buddies up for e-Buddies
• Host introductory meeting and "kick-off"
party for e-Buddies participants
NOVEMBER
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Host e-Buddies activity where the group
practices sending special e-mails (i.e. e-cards,
changing fonts or text color, adding smiley
faces)
• Conduct e-Check to discuss any challenges and
successes that e-Buddies participants are
experiencing
DECEMBER
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Hold meeting with e-Buddies participants to
review/evaluate fall semester
• Complete Fall Semester Evaluation
• Meet with College Buddy Director to discuss
information gathered at e-Buddies participant
meeting
• Remind participants to notify their e-Buddy if
they are going to be away on vacation and will
not have access to e-mail
JANUARY
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Hold meeting with all e-Buddies participants
to "Welcome Back" their participation in
e-Buddies
FEBRUARY
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Host activity where the group explores the
Internet together (pick out some specific sites
prior to the activity)
MARCH (Best Buddies Month)
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Host special activity with e-Buddies
participants to celebrate Best Buddies Month
• Conduct e-Check to discuss any challenges
and successes that e-Buddies participants are
experiencing
APRIL
• Hold monthly meeting with Host Site
Coordinator to discuss e-Buddies and review
e-Log
• Discuss with e-Buddies participants where they
can e-mail over the summer (i.e. home
computer, library computer, computer in a
community center)
MAY/JUNE
• Host end year meeting with e-Buddies
participants to review/evaluate year
• Complete Spring Semester Evaluation
• Attend wrap-up meeting with College Buddy
Director and Host Site Coordinator
• Remind participants to notify their e-Buddy if
they are going away on vacation and will not
have access to e-mail
5
GETTING STARTED
e-Buddies Coordinator
The e-Buddies Coordinator is a new position within the college chapter leadership. In order to serve
as the e-Buddies Coordinator, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Be a matched College Buddy in the Best Buddies Colleges chapter
2. Commit to working with the Host Site Coordinator and Buddies
3. Have an interest in e-mail/computer technology and sharing that with individuals with mental
retardation.
Responsibilities:
• At the organizational meeting, distribute e-Buddies information and discuss how College
Buddies and Associate Members can help their Buddies to participate.
• Introduce e-Buddies to the Buddies and their parents and/or host site staff.
• Assist the Host Site Coordinator in any way possible in regards to the e-Buddies Program.
• Encourage the College Buddies and Associate Members to help Buddies participate in e-Buddies.
• If necessary, help the Buddies get an e-mail address at a site such as AOL, Yahoo or Hotmail.
• If a Buddy is interested in e-Buddies, help him or her sign up. The e-Buddies application is
found at www.ebuddies.org.
• Help to teach the Buddies how to use e-mail, introduce them to the Internet and teach them new
computer skills.
• If necessary, help Buddies to check their e-mail once per week. (Or work to identify someone to
help the Buddies with this task)
• Hold monthly meetings with Host Site Coordinator
• Host e-Buddies activities and meetings with participants when necessary.
• Complete Fall and Spring Semester Evaluations.
• Conduct e-Checks and complete/review e-Logs
• If necessary, work with Best Buddies staff to secure computer donations for the e- Buddies
participants (Host Site).
How does e-Buddies work?
• To participate in e-Buddies, each individual must complete an application which can be found
online at www.ebuddies.org. Buddies can sign up on their own, at the host site or through
community organizations. There is an option of utilizing a Group Application for a group of
individuals interested in participating.
• Once applications are received, Best Buddies conducts reference and background checks on ALL
applicants.
• Buddies and volunteers are matched based on age, gender and common interests. e-Buddies
does not match people who live in the same state.
• Buddies and volunteers commit to e-mail each other once per week for one year.
• e-Buddies is free for Buddies and student volunteers.
6
GETTING STARTED
e-Buddies offers participants an opportunity to
develop friendships while acquiring important computer skills!
Recruitment
IMPORTANT:
At the end of this
section, you will find
two pages each
representing a
different scenario,
one of which will
correspond to your
particular situation.
Please refer to the
appropriate scenario
for specific
suggestions
regarding your
situation.
Recruiting Buddies (individuals with intellectual disabilities) to participate in e-Buddies is the
primary goal of your role as the e-Buddies Coordinator. Recruiting participants does not need to be
a difficult task. Following are some simple ideas on how to recruit Buddies to participate in e-Buddies.
1. Speak to the chapter’s Host Site Coordinator about how to recruit individuals to participate in
e-Buddies.
2. Send an introductory letter to the parents of potential participants (sample letter can be found
in section 5). If necessary, make sure that you have permission from the parents for their
son/daughter to apply to participate in the program. If the potential participants live in group
home situations, an introductory letter can be sent to the group home staff (sample letter can
be found in section 5).
3. Speak to Buddies about e-Buddies and determine their interest in and knowledge about e-mail
and the Internet.
4. Discuss e-Buddies with the College Buddies/Associate Members and how they can help their
Buddy to participate in e-Buddies.
Remember, it is important to work with the Chapter Host Site Coordinator in all of your recruitment
efforts. He/She is your best resource and bridge to the potential e-Buddies participants.
Signing Buddies up for e-Buddies
Signing up for e-Buddies is simple and fun! There is an application that must be completed online
at www.ebuddies.org. Before an individual signs up, he/she must have their own e-mail address
and access to a computer. If a Buddy does not currently have an e-mail address, they can get one
at sites such as AOL, Yahoo and Hotmail. Yahoo and Hotmail provide free e-mail accounts. AOL is
not a free service; however, Best Buddies has a limited amount of free accounts available to eBuddies participants. If there are potential participants interested in having an AOL account, please
contact your Program Manager immediately.
IMPORTANT:
Individuals DO NOT need
their own computer to
join e-Buddies. They only
need access to a
computer with Internet
access; at home, host
site, local library,
community center, etc.
Ideally, both you and the Host Site Coordinator would work
together to sign up individuals simultaneously. The Buddies
must complete the application to become involved in the
program. There is an option to sign up a group of individuals at
the same time by using the Group Application. Information
regarding this application is available at www.ebuddies.org.
7
GETTING STARTED
Once applications are received, Best Buddies staff will conduct reference and background checks.
Participants are then matched in an e-Buddies friendship based on similar interests, age and
gender. The matching process can take several weeks depending on the time necessary to find an
appropriate match. For example, if a male Buddy only wants to be matched with a male volunteer,
it will take longer for him to be matched as there is a shortage of male volunteers.
Once an individual is matched, they will receive their match notification via e-mail. Therefore, it is
important that applicants continue to check their e-mail at least once per week after they complete
the application.
Sending the first e-mail
Congratulations! The Buddies have all been matched in an e-Buddies friendship! Now it is time to
send the first e-mail to their new e-Buddy. Ideas for conversation starters can be found on the
e-Buddies web site, www.ebuddies.org, under the e-Beat heading.
The first e-mail should be short and simple!
This is an opportunity for the Buddy to introduce themselves to their new friend. Not only should
they take this time to introduce themselves, but they can also ask some questions in an effort to get
to know their e-Buddy.
Some ideas for conversation starters...
Pets
Favorite Movies
Favorite TV Shows
Hobbies
Music Groups/Songs
Favorite Pastime
8
Sports
Favorite Foods
Vacations
Family
Holidays
Favorite Season
Please remember
that e-Buddies
participants are
strictly forbidden
from speaking on the
telephone, sending
anything via postal
mail or visiting in
person. Therefore, the
Buddies should not
share their telephone
number or mailing
address in any of the
e-mails that they
send to their match.
GETTING STARTED
Computer Access Situations
Your host site has computers and Internet access...
If your Host Site has computers and Internet access, you are already well on your way to making
e-Buddies accessible to the Buddies from your Host Site.
As e-Buddies Coordinator, your efforts will focus on raising awareness, signing Buddies up for the
program and helping them to maintain their e-Buddies commitment.
RAISING AWARENESS
Work with the Host Site Coordinator to develop a plan that will allow you to raise awareness about
e-Buddies. It will be important to not only let the Buddies know that this program is available to
them, but to also notify the Host Site staff and the parents/guardians of the Buddies (if
appropriate).
SIGNING BUDDIES UP FOR e-BUDDIES
Do the Buddies
currently have an
e-mail address?
YES
Move forward to signing
them up for e-Buddies!
NO
If Buddies are interested,
help them obtain an
e-mail address.
Once each person has
an e-mail address…
HELPING BUDDIES MAINTAIN THE COMMITMENT
It will be important that you help the Buddies to maintain their commitment to e-Buddies. The
commitment states that participants must e-mail their e-Buddy once per week. Completing the
e-Logs and e-Checks discussed in Section Three of this Tool Kit will help you to monitor the Buddies
fulfillment of this commitment. Beyond utilizing those tools, you will also want to maintain regular
contact with the Host Site Coordinator and the Buddies regarding their e-Buddies participation.
Finally, don’t forget to use the College Buddies and Associate Members to help the Buddies maintain
their commitment to e-Buddies.
9
GETTING STARTED
Computer Access Situations
Your host site does not have
computers but the Buddies have
access to computers elsewhere...
Your host site does not have computers
and the Buddies currently do not have
access to computers elsewhere...
If this is the situation that you are facing,
you are just steps away from involving the
Buddies in e-Buddies.
If this is the situation you are facing, don’t be
discouraged, e-Buddies can still work for the
Buddies of your chapter!
The first step you must take is to find out
whether or not the Buddies are interested in
participating in e-Buddies. If they are
interested, you can move on to the
following steps:
• Discover where the Buddies are currently
using computers and make sure that they
have Internet access.
• Are the Buddies able to access the
computers on a weekly basis? The
commitment to e-Buddies calls for
individuals to send an e-mail once per
week. Therefore, it is extremely important
that the Buddies are able to access their
e-mail accounts at least once per week so
that they are able to maintain the
commitment.
• Determine if each Buddy has an e-mail
address. Each individual must have their
own e-mail address to participate in
e-Buddies.
• Once everyone has an e-mail address, it is
time to sign them up for e-Buddies! You
can wait and sign up all of the Buddies
simultaneously utilizing the group
application at www.ebuddies.org.
However, if it will be a long time before
all of the Buddies are ready to sign up for
e-Buddies, it might be best to sign them
up individually. That way, the Buddies
can be matched and start developing
their new friendship!
The first step that you must take is to determine
whether or not the Buddies are interested in
participating in e-Buddies. If the Buddies are
interested, you can move on with the steps listed
below:
• Speak with the Host Site Coordinator, Best
Buddies Program Manager, and the Buddies to
brainstorm on locations where the Buddies can
use computers with Internet access. They must
be able to access the computers easily and on a
regular basis (at least once per week). Start
your search in the neighborhood where the
Buddies live.
• Once computers are located, help interested
Buddies obtain their own e-mail address.
• When the Buddies have their own e-mail
address, it is time to sign them up for
e-Buddies!
• Once Buddies are signed up for e-Buddies, you
can move forward with the program. However,
it will be extremely important that you work to
ensure that the Buddies are maintaining their
commitment to e-Buddies. As the e-Buddies
Coordinator in this particular situation, you will
want to work with chapter members, leaders
and host site staff to ensure that the Buddies are
able to access the computers and their e-mail
accounts on a weekly basis.
10
Potential Computer Sites:
Public Library • Community Center
College Computer Lab • Job Site
Home visits with Family
IMPORTANT:
It will be important
that you work with
the Buddies to
ensure that they are
maintaining the
commitment to eBuddies. The
Buddies need to
send an e-mail to
their e-Buddy at
least once per week.
It will be helpful if
you can work with
the individuals that
have regular
contact with the
Buddies to ensure
that they are
maintaining their
commitment.
IMPORTANT:
Best Buddies has a
limited amount of
donated computers
available for eBuddies participants.
If you are interested
in securing donated
computers for your
Host Site, contact your
Best Buddies program
manager immediately!
MAINTAINING THE ACTIVITY
Involving the chapter
Include the College Buddies and Associate Members from the chapter with your
e-Buddies efforts. They are a great resource to help involve the Buddies and ensure that they are
maintaining the commitment.
Following are some easy ways to involve your chapter members in the e-Buddies program:
• Talk with the College Buddies and Associate Members about helping the Buddies with e-Buddies.
• Demonstrate how to use the Internet and e-mail.
• Plan an outing to the library, computer lab or use computers in the host site.
• Suggest one-to-one outings include time on the Internet.
• Once Buddies are comfortable with e-mail, include them in chapter-wide
e-mail lists. Or send a monthly chapter e-newsletter.
Please share these "Strategies for Turning your Buddy into an e-Buddy" with the College Buddies in
the chapter.
• Talk to your Buddy about computers, the Internet and e-mail.
• Start using the computer with your Buddy.
• If you will be leaving the area soon (graduation, moving, etc.) talk to your Buddy about staying
in touch through e-mail.
• Help your Buddy fill out an e-Buddies application.
When a College Buddy graduates, he/she can be matched with their Buddy in an e-Buddies
friendship. Both individuals would need to complete the application and indicate that they wanted
to be matched with the other. If the College Buddy and Buddy are interested in this option, the
College Buddy should complete the application while still a student (during the spring semester), so
that they can take advantage of e-Buddies being free to students.
Meetings
As e-Buddies Coordinator, holding regular meetings with the following individuals will help to
ensure that you are managing successful participation in the e-Buddies program.
Meetings with Host Site Coordinator: As the e-Buddies Coordinator you should meet with the Host
Site Coordinator on a monthly basis to review, evaluate and plan future e-Buddies participation.
These meetings can take place via telephone or in person, what is most important is that you speak
with each other on a monthly basis.
Meetings with Chapter Officers: It is important that as the e-Buddies Coordinator, you meet with
the other chapter officers to discuss not only e-Buddies, but also the general development of the
chapter. Although the e-Buddies Coordinator is responsible for a different aspect of Best Buddies
International, you are still a contributing member of the Best Buddies Colleges chapter and
leadership corps.
11
MAINTAINING THE ACTIVITY
Meetings with e-Buddies Participants: You should meet monthly with the e-Buddies participants.
These meetings will serve as an opportunity to monitor the commitment and discuss the successes
and challenges that are facing the Buddies. These meetings do not have to last long and can
happen before or after a chapter group activity. If you find it impossible to meet monthly with all
of the e-Buddies participants, just try to speak to each participant on a monthly basis.
Meetings with College Buddy Director: Beyond the regular officer meetings, the College Buddy
Director and e-Buddies Coordinator should meet at least once each semester. At these meetings,
you can review the Fall and Spring Semester Evaluations. The College Buddy Director will need to
forward these reports to the Best Buddies Program Manager.
Paperwork
There are various forms that you will utilize throughout the year to help you manage the e-Buddies
participation. These forms will help you effectively fulfill your role as e-Buddies Coordinator.
Following is a brief explanation of each form.
e-LOGS & e-CHECKS
e-Logs and e-Checks are tools to help you ensure that participants are maintaining their
commitment to e-Buddies and experiencing a positive friendship.
e-Logs allow you to record the number of contacts that each participant made throughout the
month. To complete the e-Log simply put an [x] on each week that contact was made. Contact is
counted as an e-mail exchange (one e-mail sent by the Buddy and one e-mail received by the
Buddy). If there was more than one e-mail exchange in a particular week, indicate that by making
the appropriate number of [x]’s.
e-Checks are completed once each semester as a way to note the successes and any challenges that
e-Buddies participants are facing. To complete the e-Check, you must review the e-Logs and speak
with the Buddies that are participating in the program.
e-Buddies Roster is completed at the beginning of the fall and spring semester. This form allows
you to have an accurate listing of the individuals participating in e-Buddies. It is important that
you also know the screen name and password for each participant in case they ever forget them.
Fall & Spring Semester Evaluations are completed at the end of each semester. These forms provide
an opportunity to review the semester and plan for the next. Completing these evaluations in a
thorough and honest manner will allow you to acknowledge the successes, evaluate the
challenges and develop a plan to further improve the e-Buddies experience for your participants.
12
All of the mentioned
paperwork can be
found in the Forms
Section of this Tool
Kit. It is important to
note that you must
make additional
copies of the e-Log so
that you have one for
each month of the
academic year.
Remember that you
should always keep
a copy of the
completed paperwork
for your records!
MAINTAINING THE ACTIVITY
Activities
e-Buddies activities are not a mandatory part of the e-Buddies program. The main focus of eBuddies is the weekly e-mail between individual matches. However, hosting e-Buddies activities are
a great way to help improve and enrich the Buddies participation in e-Buddies.
Suggestions for Activity Themes
EXPLORING THE INTERNET
ENHANCING EMAILS
use the Best Buddies Website Scavenger Hunt (found in Section 5)
adding smiley faces/changing font style, size & color
If you choose to host an e-Buddies activity, remember to work with your Host Site Coordinator to
plan the activity logistics.
Trouble-shooting
As with any leadership position, you might face some challenges throughout the academic year.
Below you will find some of the most common challenges that you might encounter, as well as some
steps on how to work through them. Please remember that this is not an all inclusive list as each
chapter faces unique challenges. It is important for you to always know that with whatever challenge
you face, you can always turn to your Host Site Coordinator, fellow officers and Best Buddies Program
Manager for assistance.
CHALLENGE
Difficulty recruiting Buddies to
participate in e-Buddies.
CHALLENGE
Buddies are having a difficult time
e-mailing their match.
SOLUTIONS
• Help the Buddies to feel
comfortable with the
computer and e-mail.
• Work with the Host Site
Coordinator and Host Site
staff to recruit additional
individuals.
• Gain the support of the
Buddies’ parents for their
participation.
• Ask the College Buddies
and Associate Members to
help their Buddies
participate in e-Buddies.
SOLUTIONS
• Determine if the Buddies need
the use of assistive technology.
Visit www.microsoft.com/enable
or www.at-center.com for more
information.
• Ask the College Buddies,
Associate Members, parents and
the Host Site Coordinator/staff
members to help the Buddies
send e-mails.
• As the e-Buddies Coordinator,
spend a few minutes every week
with each participant to help
them send an e-mail.
CHALLENGE
Buddies are not maintaining
the commitment of e-mailing
once per week.
SOLUTIONS
• As the e-Buddies
Coordinator, spend a few
minutes each week with the
Buddy to send an e-mail.
• Discuss with the individual
their interest level in
participating in e-Buddies.
• Review conversation starters
with the Buddy and help
them to send an e-mail to
their match.
13
MAINTAINING THE ACTIVITY
Frequently asked questions about e-Buddies...
Q: Is e-Buddies safe?
A: Yes. e-Buddies staff check references and
conduct background checks on all
e-Buddies participants (volunteers and
individuals with intellectual disabilities).
Q: Will I be turning my Buddy into MY eBuddy?
A: No. If you teach your Buddy about e-mail
and you want to e-mail each other, that’s
great. However, once your Buddy signs up
for e-Buddies, s/he will be matched with a
volunteer in another state.
Q: Is my whole chapter supposed to sign
up for e-Buddies?
A: Anyone who wants to sign up is welcome
to, but it is not required. Our main goal is
for Buddies to sign up and for their
College Buddies to help them to
participate.
Q: What if my Buddy does not want to be
an e-Buddy?
A: Your Buddy doesn’t have to be an
e-Buddy. However, some Buddies may feel
intimidated because they don’t have
computer experience. A few tutorials on
the computer may change your Buddy’s
mind.
Q: Once my buddy signs up for e-Buddies,
how long will it take until s/he’s
matched?
A: At this time, we have more volunteers
than we do Buddies! So, your Buddy
should be matched quickly. If your
Buddy is a male, and he requests a male
volunteer, his wait will be a bit longer,
because we have a shortage of male
volunteers.
14
Q: Does my Buddy have to tell his parents
he’s doing e-Buddies?
A: Anybody under 18 must get consent from
a parent or guardian to participate in eBuddies. If a Buddy is over 18, and his
parent is his legal guardian, he also
needs consent.
Q: The e-Buddies application states that
each Buddy must provide references.
What kind of people can serve as
references?
A: A reference can be a case worker,
counselor, parent, sibling, other family
member, clergyperson, etc.
SAMPLE FORMS
e-Buddies Roster (SAMPLE)
CHAPTER NAME: Happy Times University
NAME
1. John Doe
2. Jane Smith
3. Kelly Drop
ACCOUNT
AOL.com
aol.com
hotmail.com
SCREEN NAME
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
PASSWORD
coolguy
friendly
petcat
e-Log (SAMPLE)
MONTH: October
NAME
1. John Doe
2. Jane Smith
3. Kelly Drop
WEEK 1
x
xxx
x
WEEK 2
xx
x
x
WEEK 3
x
x
x
WEEK 4
xx
x
WEEK 5
FALL SEMESTER e-Check (SAMPLE)
BUDDY
1. John Doe
2. Jane Smith
3. Kelly Drop
FREQUENCY OF E-MAIL?
avg. of twice per week
avg. of once per week
avg. of once every other week
COMMENTS
Great e-mails! "Talk" a lot about football season
Friendship developing, e-mails are getting longer
We’re going to work with Kelly on writing e-mails
15
e-Buddies Roster: Fall Semester
CHAPTER NAME:
NAME
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16
ACCOUNT
SCREEN NAME
PASSWORD
e-Buddies Roster: Spring Semester
CHAPTER NAME:
NAME
ACCOUNT
SCREEN NAME
PASSWORD
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
17
e-Log
MONTH:
NAME
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
18
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
WEEK 5
e-Check: Fall Semester
BUDDY
FREQUENCY OF E-MAIL?
COMMENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
19
e-Check: Spring Semester
BUDDY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
20
FREQUENCY OF E-MAIL?
COMMENTS
FALL SEMESTER EVALUATION (page 1)
This report is due to the College Buddy Director and Host Site Coordinator by December 1st. Please keep a
copy of this report for your own records.
Chapter:
e-Buddies Coordinator Information
Name:
Year in School:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
e-Mail Address:
Statistics
Number of Buddies involved in e-Buddies:
Number of Buddies sending e-mail once per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mail once per week:
Number of Buddies sending e-mails 2-4 times per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mails 2-4 times per week:
Number of Buddies sending e-mails 5-7 times per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mails 5-7 times per week:
Number of meetings held with Host Site Coordinator:
Number of meetings held with e-Buddies participants:
Number of activities held with e-Buddies participants:
Evaluation
What techniques did you utilize to recruit Buddies?
21
FALL SEMESTER EVALUATION (page 2)
What were some of the challenges and/or obstacles that you encountered this fall?
What are your e-Buddies goals for the spring semester? (Please list three)
1.
2.
3.
Please share an e-Buddies Success Story:
22
SPRING SEMESTER EVALUATION (page 1)
This report is due to the College Buddy Director and Host Site Coordinator by May 1st. Please keep a copy of
this report for your own records.
Chapter:
e-Buddies Coordinator Information
Name:
Year in School:
Mailing Address:
Phone Number:
e-Mail Address:
Statistics
Number of Buddies involved in e-Buddies:
Number of Buddies sending e-mail once per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mail once per week:
Number of Buddies sending e-mails 2-4 times per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mails 2-4 times per week:
Number of Buddies sending e-mails 5-7 times per week:
Number of Buddies receiving e-mails 5-7 times per week:
Number of meetings held with Host Site Coordinator:
Number of meetings held with e-Buddies participants:
Number of activities held with e-Buddies participants:
Evaluation
What techniques did you use to maintain the commitment of the participants?
23
SPRING SEMESTER EVALUATION (page 2)
What were some of the challenges and/or obstacles that you encountered this semester?
Did you accomplish the three goals you had for the spring semester as stated in the Fall Semester
Evaluation? If yes, how did you accomplish them? If no, why not?
GOAL 1.
GOAL 2.
GOAL 3.
What are some areas that next years e-Buddies Coordinator should focus on?
1.
2.
3.
Please share an e-Buddies Success Story:
24
SAMPLES
Introductory letter to parents/guardians
Dear Parent/Guardian:
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce a program that we would like your
son/daughter to participate in; e-Buddies. e-Buddies is a program offered by Best Buddies, an
international organization which strives to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual
disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and employment.
e-Buddies strives to facilitate friendships via e-mail between volunteers and individuals with
intellectual disabilities. Once matched, participants must commit to the program for one year and
to e-mail their friend once per week. To become involved in e-Buddies, interested participants
must complete an application. Prior to being matched, applicants are screened through a
background check, and reference checks with the individuals indicated on the application. Matches
are then made based on gender, age, interests and distant geographic locations.
The vision behind e-Buddies is to increase social opportunities for people with intellectual
disabilities, while building self confidence and stronger communication skills. This program
provides an opportunity for students to learn important computer skills and gain access to the
Internet, all while developing a wonderful friendship.
We look forward to involving your son/daughter in e-Buddies. We will be signing individuals up
for the program the week of _________________________. Please sign the attached permission
form and return it to _____________________ by _______________________.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, feel free to visit
the e-Buddies web-site at www.ebuddies.org.
Thank you.
All the Best,
e-Buddies Coordinator
Host Site Coordinator
25
SAMPLES
e-Buddies Permission Slip
I give my son/daughter
(name of son/daughter)
permission to apply to be a member of e-Buddies.
I would ideally like my son/daughter to be matched with a:
Signature
Date
26
Female
Male
(please check one)
SAMPLES
Introductory letter to Host Site Staff
Dear Staff Member:
We would like to take this opportunity to introduce a program that we would like your consumers to
participate in; e-Buddies. e-Buddies is a program offered by Best Buddies, an international
organization which strives to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual disabilities by
providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and employment.
e-Buddies strives to facilitate friendships via e-mail between volunteers and individuals with
intellectual disabilities. Once matched, participants must commit to the program for one year and
to e-mail their friend once per week. To become involved in e-Buddies, interested participants
must complete an application. Prior to being matched, applicants are screened through a
background check, and reference checks with the individuals indicated on the application. Matches
are then made based on gender, age, interests and distant geographic locations.
The vision behind e-Buddies is to increase social opportunities for people with intellectual
disabilities, while building self confidence and stronger communication skills. This program
provides an opportunity for students to learn important computer skills and gain access to the
Internet, all while developing a wonderful friendship.
We look forward to involving your consumers in e-Buddies. We will be signing individuals up for
the program the week of __________________________.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Also, feel free to visit
the e-Buddies web-site at www.ebuddies.org.
Thank you.
All the Best,
e-Buddies Coordinator
Host Site Coordinator
27
BEST BUDDIES WEBSITE SCAVENGER HUNT
Purpose
This is a fun way to introduce you the Internet and help you to learn more about Best Buddies
International by exploring their website.
Directions
1. Type www.bestbuddies.org into the address line
2. Once the webpage appears, click on "enter" (located below the logo) to go into the website.
3. Answer each of the following questions.
4. Each correct answer is worth one point.
What is the Best Buddies Leadership Conference?
Who founded Best Buddies?
What was the first college to have a Best Buddies Chapter?
Name the four countries that are active in Best Buddies.
1.
3.
2.
4.
How many Americans have intellectual disabilities?
When is the next Best Buddies International special event?
Name four ways to get involved with Best Buddies International.
1.
3.
2.
4.
What are the six programs of Best Buddies International?
1.
4.
2.
5.
3.
6.
What are the two Best Buddies programs that you are currently involved in?
1.
2.
Name one supporter of Best Buddies whose product you either use or have used in the past.
1.
How many state offices does Best Buddies have?
Bonus Question (worth 5 points)
Go up to a Best Buddies staff member or chapter officer and recite the mission statement of Best
Buddies International.
28
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
e-Buddies: Pairs individuals with and without intellectual disabilities in a caring online
friendship. Participants must commit to the program for one year and to e-mail their match once
per week.
REMEMBER: e-Buddies is not meant to replace the college Best Buddies chapter, nor are College
Buddies expected to stop seeing their Buddy in person and start e-mailing instead.
e-Buddies Coordinator: Works to recruit, sign up and help individuals with intellectual
disabilities participate in e-Buddies.
Signing Up: Each individual must complete an application to participate in e-Buddies.
Applications can be found online at www.ebuddies.org. Individuals do not need their own
computer to participate in e-Buddies. They only need access to one with Internet access and their
own e-mail address.
Involve the Chapter: Encourage the College Buddies and Associate Members to help the
Buddies participate in e-Buddies. They can help the Buddies to sign up and maintain the
commitment once matched.
Trouble-Shooting: As with any leadership position, you will face challenges.
When that
happens, please refer to this Tool Kit or speak with your Host Site Coordinator, fellow officers and/or
Best Buddies Program Manager.
Have Fun! Remember, all Best Buddies programs, including e-Buddies, are about developing
friendships between two groups of individuals. We thank you for helping to open up the world of
online friendships to individuals with intellectual disabilities!
e-Buddies
401 Ninth Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington DC 20004
[email protected]
202-266-2275
www.ebuddies.org