A 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the Twin Cities of Minnesota. USA

Bunny Besties Young Leaders

Bunny Besties Young Leaders mission is to embrace leadership opportunities for young people where they spread love and kindness in their communities, through volunteering.
Some skills I have acquired are learning how to be patient with the elderly in dementia care units. I had previously known a little bit about it because of my grandpa but being exposed to it more and more helps within volunteering as well as my own family. I have also learned how to care for such a delicate creature which I have found the most interesting."  - Young Leader Ella
One of the skills I have learned at Bunny Besties has been active listening. It is important to really listen with an open mind and patience in the Bunny Besties Community and through active listening the team grows stronger."
​- Young Leader Ruby Mae

Your Rights as a Volunteer:

You are a true asset to Bunny Besties and you as a volunteer have rights and we would like to share those with you.
  1. You have the right to be treated as a co-worker, who is an integral member of our team. Not just free help.
  2. You have the right to know as much about the organization of Bunny Besties. All of the policies, procedures and people involved.
  3. You have the right to a volunteer position description when requested.
  4. You have the right to be trained in your volunteer role and receive continuing education that includes training to gain additional responsibilities if desired.
  5. You have the right to new opportunities and new experiences at Bunny Besties in regard to therapy animals and animal assisted interactions.
  6. You have the right to sound guidance and direction from supervisor.
  7. You have the right to be heard. Feel free to make suggestions and have a part in planning events.
  8. You have the right to be recognized for great efforts! 
  9. You have the right to look for communication from the supervisor on progress through day to day expressions of appreciation and by being treated as a respected co-worker.
  10. You have the right to treat your position as a job and see the members of the team as your co-workers.

Your Responsibilities as a Volunteer:

​There are responsibilities that accompany your rights as a volunteer. All those involved in the working relationship must have a respect for one another and for the mission we have on campus. As a volunteer your responsibilities are:
  1. Treat your volunteer service as a volunteer job. We are all volunteers at Bunny Besties and running this organization relies on professionalism of volunteer staff.
  2. Be prompt and reliable in reporting for scheduled work. Keep accurate record of your hours in your journal.
  3. Be prompt in signing up for events either as going or not going. Please see this as good communication. Know this is the first step in volunteering with us. Sign up for events is in Groupme.
  4. Come appropriately dressed with a white t-shirt, pants and closed toe shoes. We wear Bunny Besties Embroidered Aprons to keep bunny hair off your clothes.
  5. Be considerate and respectful of other team members, respect the abilities and gifts that our diverse team brings, and work as a member of the team.
  6. If you have feedback about another person, please convey it to the supervisor and keep business on the up and up.
  7. Always bring a good attitude.
  8. Carry out assignments in good spirit and seek the assistance of senior team members that require special guidance.
  9. Decline work that is not acceptable to you or to our Best Practices. Do not skimp on our best practices as our professionalism is of utmost importance.
  10. Maintain an open mind in regard to other people’s standards and values. We have a wonderfully diverse team and our mission is to embrace each other with love and acceptance.
  11. We are always looking to improve our offering. Please feel valued to share your feedback, suggestions, and recommendations to your supervisor. They will be welcomed!
  12. Communicate personal limitations to supervisor and team members.
  13. Accept the right of Bunny Besties to dismiss any volunteer for poor performance, poor attitude and poor attendance or lack of communication.
  14. Give notice to Jennifer Smith with Bunny Besties if you cannot continue in your volunteer position.

The President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

Bunny Besties is a proud certifying organization for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award. The PVSA program utilizes two groups of organizations to certify service awards.  Certifying organizations or CO's are an integral part of the PVSA process to recognize outstanding citizens in our communities.  

How did Bunny Besties become a CO one might ask?  A CO is an organization that has been granted authority to approve volunteer service hours.  This prestigious honor is given through an application and review process to outstanding organizations.  We are proud to be an Official Certifying Organization of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

All Bunny Besties Young Leaders work towards a PVSA. Ten to twenty hours service work a month will put all members on track for this leadership award.

    Have a question? Send us an email here and we'll get back to you.

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