Remember, you represent Tidewater Community College and the agency in which
you are working. Maintain a professional demeanor in your relationship with
clients and agency personnel.
Do not borrow or lend money to clients or staff of the agency.
Don't give out your home address or telephone number to clients.
Take extra precautions when going to sites at night. If you are at the
site after dark, make special arrangements to have someone meet you there
or see you to your car.
Park in agency parking lots, on main streets, or in well-lit areas.
Dress appropriately for the organization.
Never use drugs or alcohol on site. Please respect the smoking policy
of the agency.
Be sensitive to your own needs and limitations. Maintain an appropriate
level of distance from those at the site and don't counsel clients unless
you are trained to do so.
On the other hand, clients may be extremely sensitive and often mistrusting
of "observers;" if you are there to observe behavior, be discreet.
Don't stare or obviously eavesdrop-and participate fully in whatever activity
is taking place. If others are expected to honestly share what is occurring
in their lives, you should do so too.
Don't expect to know all the answers. It is OK to admit that you don't
know something. If faced with a question with which you are not familiar
try to get the answers or direct someone to the proper person who can provide
the answer.
Be attentive to and conscious of inappropriate behavior. Do not hesitate
to report an incident that makes you uncomfortable.
(Adapted from The University of Richmond 's Service-Learning Student
Handbook)
