May 2017

Volunteer Orientation

Table of Contents

Introduction a. Letter from State Family Program Director b. New Volunteer Orientation Checklist

Family Readiness (FR) Structure

a. State Family Program Structure b. Family Assistance Centers c. Local Family Readiness Structure

FR Basics

a. History of the National Guard and Family Readiness b. Family Readiness Group Facts

Volunteer Documents

a. Volunteer Agreement Form DD Form 2793 b. Volunteer Services Confidentiality Statement c. Code of Responsibility for Volunteers

Resources

a. State Training b. Training Catalog c. Additional Websites

May 2017

Dear Volunteer,

I would like to welcome you to the South Dakota Family Programs. Your volunteer service is the backbone of our program

and without your selfless service we would not be able to support the service members or their families. Family Programs is an

official part of the military structure that supports all branches of services regardless of what status the service member and

their family are in, i.e. Active, Guard, Reserve, or Retired.

Family Programs Vision is to:

Enhance quality of life for service members, their families, and the communities in which they live.

Family Programs will accomplish this vision by having a robust network of trained volunteers allied with Active and Reserve

Components; government agencies; employers; Veteran & Volunteer Service Organizations, and private businesses in support

of all military service members and their families.

Family Programs Mission is to:

1. Prepare service members and their families for deployment, provide assistance and a support network for families during a

deployment and help service members and their families reunite after deployment.

2. Contribute to the overall morale and welfare of service members and their families.

3. Establish and facilitate ongoing communication, involvement, support, and recognition between families and the military in a

partnership that promotes the best in both by education, outreach services, and partnerships by leveraging resources, training,

and constantly capitalizing on new capabilities, concepts, and technological advances.

4. Support the overall mission of the United States Military.

The Family Program is a commander’s program and the volunteers are part of the commander’s staff. The Family Programs has

a Chain of Concern, which parallels the military chain of command.

The United States Military recognizes families have a significant role in the life of the service member. In order to retain our

best (quality) service members in the United States Military, we must also retain their family

Again it is my great pleasure to welcome you to a great program and I’m looking forward to working with you, because without

you we could not get the job done.

Sincerely,

MAJ Quenten Johnson

Deputy Director of Family Programs

STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA SERVICE MEMBER AND FAMILY SUPPORT

State Family Programs Office

2823 W. Main Street

Rapid City, SD 57702

May 2017

Family Readiness Volunteer Orientation Checklist

Volunteer’s name: _____________________________________Start Date: _____________

Assigned Position: □ Lead Volunteer □ Co-Lead Volunteer Volunteer □ Volunteer □ Treasurer □ Alt Treasurer □ Other ____________________________________ Required Tasks: □ New Volunteer Welcome □ Discuss Volunteer / FRG work area □ Review Family Readiness Volunteer Services policies and procedures to include recording of

service hours as well as possible Awards and volunteer job progression □ Review operation and policies for the use of telephones, copiers, computers, postage meters, etc. □ Review computer technology for the unit FRG to include Internet, software, databases and

website if applicable □ Review Volunteer Job Descriptions, Appointment Letter, Chain of Concern and Chain of

Command □ Review Family Readiness mission and how it relates to the Unit mission □ Review Commander’s policy of Family Readiness Activities, Policies and Procedures □ Review the Privacy Act and Code of Conduct □ Review Family Readiness required and suggested training □ Discuss other volunteer opportunities within the unit and state □ Review OPSEC information □ Discuss Joint Services Support web site and benefits of logging hours and on-line training □ Registered in JSS/ downloaded Google Authenticator Ap (2FA)

□ ________________________________________________________

□ ________________________________________________________

I acknowledge that I have discussed the items checked above and agree to the terms and conditions.

Volunteer Signature_____________________________ Date ________________

Family Readiness Support Assistant_______________________ Date ________________

Note: This is not intended to be an all inclusive checklist

May 2017

SD STATE FAMILY PROGRAMS STRUCTURE: 5/25/2017 Director: 605.737.6728 : LTC Brendan Murphy Rapid City Deputy: 605.737.6206: Major Quenten Johnson Rapid City

Family Assistance Coordinator: 605.737.6079 Rickkie Martinmaas Rapid City Family Assistance Specialist: 605-882-9375 Corinne Mahlen Watertown Family Assistance Specialist: 605-737-6970 Sarah Neugebauer (pt) Rapid City Family Assistance Specialist: 605-737-6970 Kathy Woolridge (pt) Rapid City Family Assistance Specialist: 605-696-5416 Jenn Holien Brookings Family Assistance Specialist: 605-988-5976 Rachel Vanderzee: Sioux Falls Family Assistance Specialist: 605-995-1682 Ruth Ragels Mitchell SD Family Assistance Center 1.800.658.3930

Senior Family Readiness Support Assistant: 605-737-6089 Wendi Albers Rapid City

Family Readiness Support Assistant:109th RSG-JFHQ-196th RTI: 605-737-6310 Tracy O’Sullivan Rapid City

Family Readiness Support Assistant: 196th MEB: 605-357- 2974 Sioux Falls

Airman & Family Readiness: 605.988.5962: Nikki Wajer Sioux Falls

Lead Child & Youth Program Coordinator:605-737-6919: Taryn Broomfield Rapid City Child & Youth Program Coordinator: 605-882-9376: Candice Bloom Watertown

Yellow Ribbon: 605.737.6947: SFC Penny Doty Rapid City

ESGR Program Director: 605.737.6540: MAJ Lona Christensen Rapid City ESGR: Voluteer Support Coordinator 605-357-2983: Michele Mustain Sioux Falls Employment Support Specialist: 605-737-6011: Scott MacDonald Rapid City

Transition Assistance: 605.737.6669: Christian Johnson Rapid City

Survivor Outreach: 605.737.6090: Michele Anderson Rapid City

Funeral Honors & Operations NCO: 605.737.6945: MSG Mary Mallow Rapid City Funeral Honors Coordinator: 605.737.6927: Bob Sack Rapid City

Military OneSource: 800.342.9647: Mike Nei Watertown

________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Trauma Crisis & Suicide Prevention: 605.737-6954 Bill Meirose Rapid City Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK

Psychological Health Coordinator: 605-786-2922: Amy LaBay Brookings State Chaplain: 605.431.5182: Chaplain LTC Lynn Wilson Rapid City

SARC: 877.660.6711: 605-737-6294 Elizabeth Weber Rapid City DoD Safe Help Line: 877.995.5247

Tricare: 1.877.988.9378 1.800.RED.CROSS

1.800.733.27677

May 2017

SD STATE MAP OF FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTER LOCATIONS

May 2017

UNIT STRUCTURE/ORGANIZATION.

FAMILY READINESS Chain of Command

Unit Commander and / or Unit Representative

FRG Lead Volunteer (Statutory)

FRG Unit Volunteers (Statutory & Gratuitous)

Adjutant General of SD National

Guard

MAACOM Family Readiness Support

Assistant

May 2017

History of the National Guard and Family Readiness

The National Guard, the oldest component of the Armed Forces of the United States and one of the nation's longest-enduring institutions, celebrated its 368th birthday on December 13, 2004. The National Guard traces its history back to the earliest English colonies in North America. Responsible for their own defense, the colonists drew on English military tradition and organized their able-bodied male citizens into militias.

The colonial militias protected their fellow citizens from Indian attack, foreign invaders, and later helped to win the Revolutionary War. Following independence, the authors of the Constitution empowered Congress to "provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia." However, recognizing the militia's state role, the Founding Fathers reserved the appointment of officers and training of the militia to the states. Today's National Guard still remains a dual state-Federal force.

Throughout the 19th century the size of the Regular Army was small, and the militia provided the bulk of the troops during the Mexican War, the early months of the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War. In 1903, important national defense legislation increased the role of the National Guard (as the militia was now called) as a Reserve force for the U.S. Army. In World War I, which the U.S. entered in 1917, the National Guard made up 40% of the U.S. combat divisions in France; in World War II, National Guard units were among the first to deploy overseas and the first to fight.

Following World War II, National Guard aviation units, some of them dating back to World War I, became the Air National Guard, the nation's newest Reserve component. The Guard stood on the frontiers of freedom during the Cold War, sending soldiers and airmen to fight in Korea and to reinforce NATO during the Berlin crisis of 1961-1962. During the Vietnam war, almost 23,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called up for a year of active duty; some 8,700 were deployed to Vietnam. Over 75,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called upon to help bring a swift end to Desert Storm in 1991.

Since that time, the National Guard has seen the nature of its Federal mission change, with more frequent call ups in response to crises in Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, and the skies over Iraq. Most recently, following the attacks of September 11, 2001, more than 50,000 Guardmembers were called up by both their States and the Federal government to provide security at home and combat terrorism abroad. Today, tens of thousands of Guardmembers are serving in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, as the National Guard continues its historic dual mission, providing to the states units trained and equipped to protect life and property, while providing to the nation units trained, equipped and ready to defend the United States and its interests, all over the globe.

May 2017

Family Readiness Group What is a Family Readiness Group?

The official definition of a family readiness group is, “An organization of family members, volunteers, and Guard members belonging to a unit that together provide an avenue of mutual support, assistance, and a network of communication among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources.”

Family Readiness Group- Why have it? Commanders of deploying units discovered that while their units were highly trained to fight, little if anything was done to train and prepare families to better cope with the stresses and unique problems that often arise during extended and oftentimes unexpected deployment of their spouses. Some type of organization was needed within units to address this serious shortcoming in peacetime. Therefore, the concept of the Family Readiness Group was born.

How Does the FRG Work? Family Readiness Groups are managed differently in every unit.. The core of the FRG is the unit, for this is where the rubber meets the road. All FRG’s share the same purpose—to support Guard families.

No Rank in the FRG! There is no rank in the FRG. The active role of our enlisted and officer wives in the support group has been the key to our success. The FRG is not a club. All Guard members and family members are members of the FRG whether they are active participants or not.

Your Place in the FRG--The role you play in your FRG is your choice. There are many projects to become involved in, each of them important, such as communications, newsletters, hospitality, social functions and fundraising to support the FRG.

Your Invitation--Your FRG extends a sincere invitation for you to join in and participate. You can never have too much information, too much support, or too many friends. The FRG is your opportunity for all this and more.

FRG-What it IS used for: empower families to become more knowledgeable and self-reliant

provide an effective way of gaining information, support, and control during deployment and other times

promote more efficient use of community resources

reduce soldier and family member stress

increase the soldier’s ability to devote his full attention to the mission by offering reassurance that the family members have close, reliable, and friendly support care for each other

provide answers to questions

give moral support

establish a sense of family within the unit

access information and resources to help you solve problems

help family members develop a more positive attitude toward themselves, the unit, the deployment, and the Guard

increase morale

foster increased levels of cohesion and confidence for family members and deployed Guard members; and utilize other family programs designed to improve the quality of life

Family Readiness Groups Are Not used

for: part of the casualty notification

service

a babysitting service

a surrogate parent

a social worker

a taxi or bus service

a loan agency

a lending service

a welfare agency, or all things to all

people.

May 2017

May 2017

May 2017

Code of Responsibility for Volunteers

(Family Readiness Group)

The volunteer is held to the following high standards:

Be Sure-Look into your heart and know that you really want to help other

people.

Be Convinced-Believe in the value of what you are doing.

Be Loyal-Offer suggestions, but don't criticize or "knock" what is in place.

Accept Rules-Don't criticize what you don't understand. There may be a

good reason.

Speak Up-Ask about things you don't understand.

Be Willing to Learn-Training is essential to any job done well.

Keep On Learning-Know all you can about your program and your job.

Specific guidelines include:

Be strong on principle

Be willing to adjust - be flexible

Preserve unity through respect for others

Be honest

Be respectful

Strive for personal integrity

Be objective and impartial, free of favoritism and bias

Own up to mistakes, take responsibility, don't blame others

Give credit where credit is due

Be as good as your word

Be loyal

Be cooperative

Maintain personal high readiness

Be honorable

May 2017

Family Readiness Group Training Beginner

Module Time

FRG Overview ½ hour

Expectations and Role of FRG Volunteers 1 hour

Communicating with Families ½ hour

Getting Started 1 hour

Total Training Time 3 hours

Intermediate

Module Time

FRG Leader and Unit Leadership Partnership

for Effective FRGs

1 hour

Resources and Funding for FRGs 1 hour

How to be an Effective FRG Leader 1 hour

Total Training Time 3 hours

Advanced Module Time

FRG’s Tasks in the Deployment Cycle 1 hours

Dealing with the Media ½ hour

FRG’s Role in Unit Causality 1 hour

Total Training Time 2 ½ hours

May 2017

Resources

___________________________________________________________________________________

www.myarmyonesource.com Offers basic on-line training in Army Family Team Building (AFTB Level I):

o Expectations and the impact of the mission on Family o Military acronyms and terms o The chain of command o Intro to military customs and courtesies o Basic military benefits and entitlements o Intro to military and civilian community resources o Intro to Family Readiness Groups o Supporting your child’s education o Intro to Family financial readiness o Basic problem solving

(AFTB Level II): Advanced trainings

o Communication o Personal time management o Stress management o Acknowledging change o Exploring personality traits o Enhancing personal relationships o Team dynamics o Personal conflict management o Creative problem solving o Traditions, customs, courtesies and protocol o Crisis, coping and grieving o The volunteer experience o Family readiness groups and the deployment cycle o Intro to leadership

AFTB Level III

o Communication skills for leaders o Understanding needs o Leadership styles o Building cohesive teams o Managing group conflict o Leader assisted problem solving o Delegation for leaders o Meeting management o Coaching and mentoring o Family readiness group leadership ________________________________________________________________________________

May 2017

_________________________________________________www.jointservicessupport.org

o National Guard 101 o Conflict and management resolution o Intro to the National Guard o Resources around you o Effective leadership o Family readiness groups o Family finances o Stress management o Deployment and reunion o History of the National Guard o Guard Youth Team Building o Family Assistance Centers o Wellness o Budget, Finance and more o Suicide Prevention Training

___________________________________________________________________________________

www.myarmylifetoo.com Offers tips and resources on dealing with Military life as well as educational opportunities on learning how to adapt to the military lifestyle and on Family Readiness www.serviceleader.org This site contains lots of great information, has a Volunteer Management section which contains articles on many appropriate subjects. www.pointsoflight.org/for-volunteers Includes helpful areas for volunteers. www.unitedway.org This is another well established site and could be helpful to new managers for ideas of ways to run a program. This is not a military site.

www.redcross.org Well established site, good examples of recognition programs, philosophy, mission statements, etc… Could also be useful for military information A good resource site

www.afcrossroads.com Air Force website has section on volunteer Opportunities for volunteers at a multitude of levels www.jointservicessupport.org NGB Joint Service Support website for Service members and their Families

Awards and Recognition

www.presidentialserviceawards.gov

Log your volunteer hours and earn Presidential Service Awards

Military Information Sources/Benefits

www.militarytimes.com

May 2017

News site for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines

www.vetcenter.va.gov Vet Center Directory by state

www.dfas.mil Military Pay Tables

www.shopmyexchange.com Army & Air Force Exchange Service

www.militaryspouse.com This site contains good information concerning military issues and programs.

www.armymwr.com Another great site for all types of military benefits, and information Travel packages, and sites are available on this site

www.military.com Free newsletter, lots of good information for all military, including retiree’s, active duty, reserve, etc…

www.ang.af.mil Air Guard Webpage lots of good information, to include songs, Guard song available for download.

www.arng.army.mil Army Guard Site – lots of information about the Army National Guard

www.army.mil Good site for Active Army information.

www.nationalguard.mil NGB website – the latest information on the National Guard.

www.army.com Good information on Active Army site covers many topics which could be of interest to Guard members and families, for example, Space A Travel – ASVAB tips, etc… www.people.mil/FamilyReadiness.aspx DoD link with specific military information on Reserve Affairs; Family Readiness and Benefits Handbook www.militaryfamily.org Military Family information and legislative issues that deal with the family www.tricare.mil/DEERS Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) database of military sponsor’s families and others. www.va.gov Department of Veterans Affairs ~ info on burial, health, education, home loans, vocational rehab, VA kids and more. www.militarymomsandwives.org Site for wives and moms in the military community ~ established to share experiences, etc… www.spousebuzz.com Great site for Military wives and significant others in uniform, timely articles and information for every type of military situation ~ good legislative information also available www.afas.org Air Force Aid Society; details for applying for education and personal assistance. www.esgr.mil Employer Support for Guard Reserve site, useful information