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Cheyenne River Youth Project^®

The Main Youth Center and Ċokata Wiċoni Teen Center

PO Box 410

Eagle Butte, SD 57625

(605)964-8200

(605)964-8201 FAX

alex@lakotayouth.org

Volunteer Application

A complete applicant file must include the following:

1. Application

2. Three letters of recommendation

3. Criminal History Background Check – To be accepted as a volunteer with our project, you will be required to have a criminal history background check submitted to our agency. Please contact your local law enforcement agency to find out the procedure for your state. The background check must be sent directly from their agency to the Cheyenne River Youth Project.

4. A $200 application fee is required for domestic applicants and $250 for applicants from abroad. This fee should be mailed with your application. If, this is not possible, please call the Youth Programs Director to make other arrangements. The application fee will help the organization to provide your transportation, your T-shirt, utilities and housing, while you are with us.

5. A telephone interview will be arranged once the initial contact has been made.

The application process can be quite lengthy but there are ways to expedite the process via e-mail or fax.. Please e-mail the Youth Programs Director, Alexandra Meador at alex@lakotayouth.org if you have questions.

Please Note:

Transportation to and from Eagle Butte will be provided by the organization. Volunteers are requested to arrive in Pierre, South Dakota by airplane or bus during working hours - and to please speak with the Youth Programs Director BEFORE they schedule their flights. Volunteers who arrive after 6pm will be asked to spend the night in Pierre at their own expense.

Cheyenne River Youth Project

Volunteer Job Description

General Statement of Duties: Responsible for the implementation of planned activities, development of recreational activities, arts & crafts, sports activities, and meal/snack preparation. Volunteers assist with project fundraising, mentoring of youth participants, community activities and building maintenance.

Supervision Received: Volunteers work under the general supervision of the project supervisor or director of volunteer programs.

Example of Duties:

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Ø Development and supervision of recreational activities.

Ø Plan and prepare daily meals and snacks.

Ø Supervise daily youth/teen center operations.

Ø Interior/Exterior maintenance of building, including janitorial duties.

Ø Assist with the planning and supervision of field trips and other special projects.

Ø Write articles for the newsletter and local newspaper.

Ø Informal youth counseling.

Ø First Aid when trained.

Ø Work where assigned in community.

Ø Assist in developing and implementing fundraising activities.

Minimum Qualifications:

The preference of the program is an individual who has experience working with children. We require all volunteers to have patience, compassion, energy, and a deep desire to work with the children and people of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation. We are in need of people who are willing to work long hours under adverse conditions. We want volunteers that are mature enough to know that work as a youth worker is not a vacation, but a full-time job. To work as a volunteer youth worker requires dedication, motivation and commitment. We desire volunteers who will honor the commitment that they make if accepted.

CHEYENNE RIVER YOUTH PROJECT

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Name_________________________________________________________________

Last First Middle

Address_______________________________________________________________

Street/Box City State Zip

Telephone_____________________________________________________________

DOB (optional)__________________________________________________________

Authorized to Work in the United States: Yes___ No___ (Applicants who are not able to work in the United States are not eligible for the monthly stipend).

Emergency Notification___________________________________________________

Years of Education_______________________________________________________

Degree/Major___________________________________________________________

List schooling, training, or past employment relevant to your participation in the project.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please explain any experiences or past activities, especially volunteer service that are relevant to your participation in the Project:

______________________________________________________________________

Please explain any past experience working with children:

______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please briefly describe your expectations of life on the Reservation:

______________________________________________________________________

Please describe your knowledge of Native American Culture and History:

______________________________________________________________________

Due to the significant problem of alcohol abuse on the reservation, all volunteers are required to abstain from use while in service to the Project. In addition, the Project has a „No Tolerance“approach to the use of illegal drugs or any other illegal activity while in service to the Project. Please describe your level of willingness to comply:

______________________________________________________________________

Have you used illegal drugs in the past six months? (If yes, please explain) ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Do you drink alcohol?_______ If yes, how often?_______________________________

Why do you feel that you would be a good role model to the youth of our community?

______________________________________________________________________

Have you ever been convicted of a crime? ______________

If yes, please explain:

______________________________________________________________________

Do you have any illnesses, allergies, or disabilities of which we need to be aware? If yes, please explain. (Note: The Cheyenne River Youth Project does not discriminate based on race, background, creed, disability or sexual orientation)

______________________________________________________________________

Do you smoke? YES or NO

Please note that because our volunteers serve as role-models to the children and to the community, volunteers will not be allowed to smoke in or on any of the Project’s property and will be required to be discreet in their usage in other circumstances.

Are you able to work long hours? YES or NO

(Please note that volunteers are often required to work six days per week, occasionally for 10-12 hours per day).

Are you able to adjust to a regularly changing environment? YES or NO

Are you able to work independently? YES or NO

Are you able to live with others in a communal setting? YES or NO

Please explain any past experience living with others in a communal setting:

______________________________________________________________________

Please explain how you deal with conflict?

______________________________________________________________________

How do you deal with stress? ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Have you ever lived in a foreign culture? If yes, please describe your experiences.

______________________________________________________________________

Do you have any limitations that would prevent you from performing physical work (cutting lawns, heavy lifting, cleaning, gardening, shovelling snow, etc.)? ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please describe any special talents or skills:

______________________________________________________________________

Do you have any hobbies or interests? ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please describe your strengths:

______________________________________________________________________

Please describe your weaknesses: ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Please explain what commitment means to you: ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Why do you want to volunteer with our project? ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

When are you available to volunteer? ________________________________________

How long do you want to volunteer for? ______________________________________

Health Agreement:

To my knowledge, I do not have health problems or conditions which would fully prevent me from participating in volunteer service for the Cheyenne River Youth Project. I understand that I may be expected to submit a certificate of good health from a physician if I am accepted to the Project. I understand that I am responsible for all medical costs incurred during my stay.

Signature______________________________________________________________

Date__________________________________________________________________

*It is recommended that you have some type of medical insurance before your arrival.

Financial Agreement

I understand that I am responsible for transportation to and from South Dakota at an arrival point specified by the Project and that I will be responsible for purchasing my own meals, other than those food items which I may take from the local Food Bank or Food Donations.

Signature______________________________________________________________ Date__________________________________________________________________

References

Please list the names and addresses of the three individuals who will be writing letters of recommendation on your behalf. The letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the Cheyenne River Youth Project, PO Box 410, Attention: Julie Garreau, Project Director, PO Box 410, Eagle Butte, SD 57625.

1. ______________________________________________________________________

2. ______________________________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________________

*The Cheyenne River Youth Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives its financial support through grants, private donations and local fundraising.