FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS |
1. What are your requirements for membership?
Members of our chapter must be either :
1) individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, age 22 or older from the Greater-Worcester community
2) students attending UMass Medical School (this includes nursing and graduate students)
Anyone who meets either criterion is eligible for membership.
We conduct interviews of all interested individuals prior to acceptance, to make sure that they are good fits for our program.
Best Buddies, the international organization conducts background checks of all full-members (students and Buddies alike). However, some students and/or Buddies may opt to be Associate members. Associate members attend our group events, but are not matched one-on-one with a Buddy or student. Full background checks are not conducted on Associate members.
Interested in membership? Simply fill out this online FORM to begin the process.
Members of our chapter must be either :
1) individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, age 22 or older from the Greater-Worcester community
2) students attending UMass Medical School (this includes nursing and graduate students)
Anyone who meets either criterion is eligible for membership.
We conduct interviews of all interested individuals prior to acceptance, to make sure that they are good fits for our program.
Best Buddies, the international organization conducts background checks of all full-members (students and Buddies alike). However, some students and/or Buddies may opt to be Associate members. Associate members attend our group events, but are not matched one-on-one with a Buddy or student. Full background checks are not conducted on Associate members.
Interested in membership? Simply fill out this online FORM to begin the process.
2. What's the time commitment like?
We require participating students to make weekly contact and to spend at least four hours with their assigned Buddy per month. However, it is worth noting that many opt to EXCEED this requirement. Students are required to complete online friendship updates, confirming their activity with their Buddies each month. Friendship updates take 15 minutes or less to make.
Students and Buddies are encouraged to attend group events, however, this is not a requirement for chapter membership.
We require participating students to make weekly contact and to spend at least four hours with their assigned Buddy per month. However, it is worth noting that many opt to EXCEED this requirement. Students are required to complete online friendship updates, confirming their activity with their Buddies each month. Friendship updates take 15 minutes or less to make.
Students and Buddies are encouraged to attend group events, however, this is not a requirement for chapter membership.
3. My son is 21 years old. Could he still be a member of your program?
Although Best Buddies Citizen Chapters recruit individuals 22 years or older, 21 is close enough to our age minimum to be considered eligible for our program. If this question applies to your child, fill out our quick, online interest FORM, and we'll work hard to see that he/she is matched with a UMass student.
Although Best Buddies Citizen Chapters recruit individuals 22 years or older, 21 is close enough to our age minimum to be considered eligible for our program. If this question applies to your child, fill out our quick, online interest FORM, and we'll work hard to see that he/she is matched with a UMass student.
4. Do I have to be a Best Buddies member to attend your group events?
Absolutely NOT! All friends of the Best Buddies organization and our chapter are welcome to attend our events. (Just be sure to RSVP ahead of time, if RSVP is required for attendance).
Absolutely NOT! All friends of the Best Buddies organization and our chapter are welcome to attend our events. (Just be sure to RSVP ahead of time, if RSVP is required for attendance).
5. Do I need to have a car to be a Buddy for an individual with a disability?
No. However we ask that you notify leaders of your preferred/normal mode of transportation so that this may be kept in-mind when making Buddy pairs.
No. However we ask that you notify leaders of your preferred/normal mode of transportation so that this may be kept in-mind when making Buddy pairs.
Copyright 2014 Best Buddies at UMASS Medical School 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655