• will be a contact person for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel agency.
• will be a contact person and resource for the volunteers placed at the school.
• will promote and lead the selection of program participants.
• will meet with the volunteers before programs begin.
• will be on school property during program times.
• will complete and return all evaluation materials to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel.
• School Champions are asked to give the group privacy as sensitive topics often arise during sessions. If you need to check in with volunteers it is preferred that you do so before or after the session.

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Group Size

• In accordance with BBBS National Standards a 4:1 ratio must be maintained of participants to volunteers.
• Two volunteers are placed at each school and lead the sessions together.
• Group numbers MUST NOT EXCEED 8-10 girls.
• Permission forms must be signed and returned BEFORE program begins.
• Spots should be filled on a first come first serve basis as permission forms are returned.
• Where the number of permission forms returned exceeds the number of spots available, preference should be given to students who may be graduating that year or will not have another opportunity to participate.
• A waiting list should be compiled of girls waiting to participate in upcoming sessions.

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Participant Selection Criteria

• In actuality, every girl can benefit from this program. The messages are valid regardless of culture, race, socio-economic status, or perceived popularity and acceptance from peers.
• Specifically this program is designed for girls aged 12-14, enrolled in grades 7&8.
• School Champions will be advised not to further isolate and segregate girls who may already be on the fringes or be classified as overweight, unpopular or “troubled”.
• Care should be taken to involve a diverse group of girls in each session that will prevent further labelling.
• Within the group a space of mutual respect and non judgement is promoted where girls can interact freely regardless of their social ranking in the classroom.
• Girls who may benefit most from this program are those who are struggling with self esteem, those who would normally not participate in organized school activities, students who would benefit from mentoring around physical activity and good eating habits.
• Permission forms provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters must be signed and returned to the school BEFORE program begins.

Can girls take part in the program more than once?
* No. Program material does not vary and would be repetitive. Different girls should be selected for each seven week program.

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How do we present the program to students?

• Selected students should know that they’ve been invited to join a fun program called Go Girls! where once a week they will have a chance to get together with some older girls, hang out, try healthy snacks and talk about things that are important to them. They have been chosen because their teacher thought they might enjoy it or because their names were randomly selected from a list of those who showed interest.
• Girls should not feel that they have been asked to join because there is something wrong with them. This is again why it is important to involve a diverse group of girls in the selection process.
• After a school has run one session, word tends to spread amongst the students that Go Girls! is a cool club to be a part of and in effect, promotes itself.
• Letters of permission are sent home to students with a brief outline of the program directed at parents/guardians.

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Time and Day of Individual Programs

It is very important that you provide optional days and times for the program to run as our ability to service your school relies heavily on the availability of volunteers. Flexibility will improve our ability to service your school.

• Programs require a 2 hour time slot to cover all the material offered.
• The absolute minimum time for the program is 1.5 hours
• Option 1 – lunch/nutrition break with time added on each end to equal 1.5-2hrs
• Option 2 - after school time slots are also available
• Programs are available in Fall (Oct – Nov) Winter (Feb- Mar) and Spring (Apr-June)
• Schools can register for one session or both

• Go Girls! mentors are women enrolled in post secondary education aged 18-25.
• All volunteers undergo an intensive screening process that involves three reference checks, a criminal records screening, an in-person interview and 12 hours of training.
• Go Girls! training provides volunteers with an overview of the program and its core messages, information on the topic of abuse and how to handle a disclosure, responsibility of reporting, active listening, group dynamics, how to deal with sensitive issues and create a safe environment.
• All volunteers are required to maintain contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel for support and check-ins.
• Volunteers are advised to report to the School Champion immediately with any concerns or issues that may arise in the group.
• Mentors are not approved until the very end of the screening process and are chosen based on their perceived ability to facilitate with confidence and provide appropriate role modeling to the participants.

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• CLICK HERE to print out a registration form and fax it back to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
• Please note that registration does not guarantee that we can provide the program at your school
• School Champions will be contacted once regiatrations forms are received to go over program details and confirm registration information
• Once contact has been made, your school will be sent a School Champion package containing promotional material, permission forms, and program information.
• Once volunteer numbers have been finalized, your school will receive confirmation of the program time and date.
• Schools can register now for both Fall and Winter sessions, or can choose one option.

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