Boundaries with friends

To help keep our volunteers safe on shift we have developed guidelines for volunteers to keep healthy boundaries with friends. 

The Boundary Box

The Boundary Box is an ethical framework to foster healthy connections between volunteers and friends. We know that sometimes in your interactions with friends you may find yourself in conversations which are outside of the Boundary Box. Below we discuss the four sides in more detail.  

1. Physical contact
   It's important to maintain physical boundaries with our friends to respect both their personal space and other volunteers. This means no hugging on shift. Go for a high five or fist bump!
   
   
2. Relationships
   Your role as a volunteer is to operate our vehicles, pods or laundromats and engage in conversations during shift times that allow friends to feel positively connected with the community. For your safety, relationships or friendships outside of Orange Sky shifts between volunteers and friends should not occur under any circumstances.
   
   
3. Beliefs & politics
   Orange Sky is a non-political and non-religious organisation dedicated to ensuring an environment of inclusiveness for people of all religious and cultural backgrounds. Any beliefs or views that you communicate with friends on the street can be interpreted as the beliefs or views of the organisation. As such, it is important that you refrain from imposing your own personal beliefs or opinions about religion, politics and other related topics, including but not limited to comments and clothing.
   
   
4. Money & substances
   Volunteers should never be involved in the purchase or consumption of alcohol or legal/illegal drugs with friends on the street. There is no smoking/vaping in the presence of friends. Volunteers are not to give friends money and they must avoid any type of transaction, bargaining, or deal.
   
   

Simple rules for keeping healthy boundaries with friends