The volunteer orientation handbook summarizes the history, mission, programs, and policies of YWCA Billings. It provides: 1) A brief history of YWCA Billings starting in 1907 and how it has evolved to serve women and children for over 100 years. 2) An overview of the three core programs: Gateway provides shelter for victims of violence; Employment and Training provides job training; and Child Center provides affordable childcare. 3) Key policies for volunteers including dress code, cellphone use, safety rules, and a liability waiver.

1. Volunteer Orientation Handbook

2. Welcome to YWCA Billings!
YWCABillingsHistory
YWCA Billings has been saving, changing, and improving lives of women and children for more than 100 years. YWCA
beganin the basement of the Parmly Billings Public Library in 1907. During that time Montana, was still a bit of a frontier
town, with a Wild West attitude. Young women were moving to the city to find work and needed a safe place to stay.
The Young Women’s Christian Association offered clean rooms, hot meals, and companionship for women whose
meager salaries could barely support them. As the community grew, so did the needs of YWCA. In 1955 a leap of faith
funded the current YWCA building and in 1997 the Gateway Shelter was completed. Today YWCA has evolved into a
social service organization. The YWCA programs include Gateway, Employment & Training, and Child Center. YWCA
servesseven counties andseveral Native Americanreservations withitsheadquartersin YellowstoneCounty atthe core.
Gateway—offers safe shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence with counseling support to help each woman
form a plan to break away from the cycles of violence and poverty; outreach to let women who need help and
those who wish to help them know that free 24-hour assistance is available; advocate-staffed telephone and
mobile texting help lines; assistance with hospital and legal services and with way-finding to other community
services.
Employment and Training Center—provides assistance for unemployed/underemployed individuals in gaining training
and skills needed to obtain jobs that will lead to financial independence and better self-esteem. Employment
and Training programs develop marketable skills and provide counselingin how to overcome barriers to landing
full-time employmentwhichisfundamental toattainingeconomicself-sufficiencyandsustainability.
Child Center—makes tuition-assistance available to low income families so their children may benefit fromlicensed child
care and offers three “Nutrition for Learning” meals per day per child augmented with school readiness
preparationtohelpassure successinschool fromkindergartenthroughgraduation.
Mission
YWCA Billings is dedicated to saving and changing lives. We improve the lives of women and children through programs
that create significant, positive impact for our community and support YWCA USA's mission to empower women,
eliminateracism,andpromote peace,justice,freedomanddignityforall.
Vision
To reach beyond the short-term safe shelter provided by Gateway by offering affordable housing that incorporates
employment counseling, job training, child care, and other services so we can deliver meaningful support over a longer
periodforwomenandfamiliesstrivingtogainsolidfootingandbreakthe cyclesof violence andpoverty.
CommunityImpact Statement
YWCA’saccomplishmentsforFiscal Year2014
Gateway
• 7,816 nightsof safe shelterandrespite fromviolenceprovidedto132 womenand122 children
• Victimsupportandindividualizedprogrammingfor457 adultsand 162 children
• 1,648 callsto the 24-hour HelpLine answeredandcounseled
• 114 rape victimsaccompaniedtothe hospital withsupportive follow-upservices
• 3,189 volunteerhoursservedvictimsof violence andsexual assault
• 60 hours spentdeliveringcommunityeducational outreach
Employment& Training Center
• 180 individualsand 75 low-income adultsanddisplacedhomemakersservedfromfive countieswithafocus
on areaswithhighunemploymentincludingBigHornCounty

3. • Connectedclientstoskillstraininginavarietyof career areaswhichinclude butwere notlimitedtoCNA,
RN, Pharmacy Tech,Diesel Technology,Criminal Justice,BusinessAdministration,Accounting,Health
Administration,Medical Coder,ActivitiesDirector,Phlebotomy,andMedical Assistant
• Placedmanyclientsinhigh-wage,high-demandjobsbynurturingpartnershipswithareaemployers
• 104 womenattendedworkshopsatMontanaWomen’sPrisonandPassagesPre-Release Program
ChildCenter
• 76 childrenfromsix weekstosix yearsnurturedthroughloving,consistentchildcare
• Childrenages3– 6 benefitedfromthe school-readinesscurriculum, social skillstraining,reading,
and age-appropriate musicandmovementclasses
• 36 percentof familieswithchildreninthe ChildCenterreceivedfinancial subsidiestoassistwith
monthlychildcare costs.
• 32,058 healthyanddeliciousmeals,preparedwithoutprocessedfoods,were providedatbreakfast,
lunchand snacktime incompliance withthe MontanaChildandAdultCare FeedingProgram
Dress Code
Each individual is expected to wear appropriate clothing, while maintaining a neat, well-groomed appearance at all
times. This means no clothing with rips or tears, tank tops, tube tops, short skirts/dresses, cutoffs, sheer clothing or
shorts. Jeans that are neat and without stains may be worn with casual business attire tops. If asked to volunteer at a
YWCA event, business professional or casual is preferred. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times, so that
meansno flipflops. If there are anyconcernsaboutthe dresscode contact your supervisor.
Cellphone Policy
While at work, employees and volunteers are asked to exercise discretion when using personal cellular phones.
Excessive personal phone calls during the workday can interfere with productivity and can be distracting to others.
Personal calls should be made on non-work time. YWCA is not liable for the loss of personal cellular phones brought into
the workplace.
Drug-Free Workplace
YWCA prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance in the
workplace and onYWCA property.
Parking
There is a parking lot located behind the YWCA facility. All spots other than the reserved space are available for your
use. Please do not park your vehicle out front due to the high traffic of parents picking up their children from Child
Center.
Social Media
It is not the intention of YWCA to restrict employees’ or volunteers’ ability to have a personal online presence or to
mandate what can and cannot be said. However many social networking blur the lines between one’s business and
personal life.YWCA maymonitorsocial mediacontent.
Confidentiality
Employees and volunteers are prohibited from posting any financial, confidential, sensitive or proprietary information
aboutYWCA Billingsanditsaffiliateprograms,donors,partnersandclients.
Time Sheets
It is required that volunteers complete a timesheet. Timesheets will need to be completed and handed in the lastday of
your scheduled work day for that week to your supervisor. It is also necessary for your program coordinator to sign off
on yourhours.

4. Safety Rules
Policy: As a basis for volunteer responsibilities and participation in our company’s loss prevention program, the
general safety rules listed below will apply to all employees and volunteers. Your cooperation in voluntarily
complyingwith these rulesand all other safetyresponsibilitieswill be appreciated.
1. Possessionof firearmsoncompanypropertyor incompanyvehiclesisprohibited.
2. The use or possessionof alcohol,drugsorothercontrolledsubstancesonthe jobisprohibited.
3. All injuryaccidents shouldbe reported tothe volunteercoordinatororproject supervisorimmediately.
Alsoreportall otheraccidentsandnear misses.
4. Promptlyreportunsafe conditionsproceduresandacts.
5. Each individual isresponsibleforgoodhousekeeping.Keepyourworkareaina clean,unclutteredstate.
Do not walkbya situationof poorhousekeepingif itcanbe easilycorrectedorneedsimmediateattention
broughtto it like spillsonfloors,ice onstepsandsoon.
6. Obeyall warningsigns.Theyare there because hazardsexist.
7. No volunteershouldtake chancesonthe jobwhichcouldendangertheir personalsafetyandhealthorthe
safetyandhealthof co-workers.
8. If an establishedjobproceduremustbe deviatedfrom, supervisoryapproval mustbe obtainedandan
alternative,temporaryjobprocedure mustbe agreedupon.Thisalternativejobprocedure mustnotcreate any
newor additional hazardsorunnecessarilyexpose volunteertohazards.
9. If you are unsure of yourjob procedures,donottake changes.Askyoursupervisorforinstructionsortraining.
10. Do not operate machineryoruse toolsyouare notqualifiedtouse and/ordonothave permissiontouse.
11. Do not enterhazardousareasyouare not authorizedtoenter.
12. Use all personal protectiveequipmentanddevicesrequiredandprovided.
13. Become familiarwithandconductyourworkactivitiesinaccordance withthese general safetyrulesandother
specificsafe operatingprocedures,whichare applicable.
Thank you for volunteering your time and service to YWCA Billings

5. Release of Liability
I HEREBY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATING IN ANY/ALL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH MY VOLUNTEER
ENGAGEMENT, including by way of example and not limitation, any risks that may arise from negligence or carelessness
on the part of the persons or entities being released, from dangerous or defective equipment or property owned,
maintained, or controlled by them, or because of their possible liability without fault. I acknowledge that this Accident
Waiver and Release of Liability Form will be used by the event holders, sponsors, and organizers of the activity in which I
may participate, and that it will govern my actions and responsibilities at said activity. In consideration of my application
and permitting me to participate in this activity, I hereby take action for myself, my executors, administrators, heirs, next
of kin,successors,andassignsasfollows:
(A) I WAIVE, RELEASE, AND DISCHARGE from any and all liability, including but not limited to, liability arising from the
negligence or fault of the entities or persons released, for my death, disability, personal injury, property damage,
property theft, or actions of any kind which may hereafter occur to me including my traveling to and from this activity,
THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES OR PERSONS: The YWCA and/or their directors, officers, employees, interns, representatives,
and agents,andthe activityholders,sponsors,andvolunteers;
(B) INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND PROMISE NOT TO SUE the entities or persons mentioned in this paragraph from
any and all liabilities or claims made as a result of participation in this activity, whether caused by the negligence of
release orotherwise.
I acknowledge that YWCA and their directors, officers, volunteers, representatives, and agents are NOT responsible for
the errors, omissions, acts, or failures to act of any party or entity conducting a specific activity on their behalf. I hereby
consent to receive medical treatment which may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident, and/or illness
during this activity. I understand while participating in this activity, I may be photographed. I agree to allow my photo,
video, or film likeness to be used for any legitimate purpose by the activity holders, producers, sponsors, organizers, and
assigns. The Accident Waiver and Release of Liability Form shall be construed broadly to provide a release and waiver to
the maximumextentpermissible underapplicable law.
I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENT. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A
RELEASE OF LIABILITYAND A CONTRACTANDI SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.
___________________________________________
Participant’sName (Please printlegibly.) Date
___________________________________________
Participant’sSignature Date
___________________________________________
Parent/GuardianSignature Date
(If under18 yearsold,Parentor Guardianmust sign.)

6. Media Release Form
Date____________
Name _________________________________________________
I herebygive permissiontoYWCA Billingstouse photos of me in anyof theirpublications,social mediaor
publicity.
_________________________________________________________________
Please PrintName
_________________________________________________________________
Signature
_________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s
(If under18 yearsold,Parentor Guardianmust sign.)

7. By signing below you are agreeing to adhere to the policies presented.
Signature _________________________________ Date __________________
Supervisor’s Signature _______________________ Date ___________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________