e-Buddies Basics
MATCHING PROCESS
Step One: Joining e-Buddies: e-Buddies requires all potential participants to complete an online application. The application is accessible by clicking on the sign-up icon on our website, www.ebuddies.org .
Step Two: Screening Process: Once the application is completed, Virtual Volunteer Managers (VVM) take charge of the approval process. All applicants must pass the following checklist of requirements before being approved as a potential match. e-Buddies Screening Checklist
• Review of Application
• Social Security Number Verification
• Review of Sex Offender Registry and/or Criminal Background Check
• Parental/Guardian consent for applicants with disabilities & legal guardians or individuals under 18
• Two Positive Reference Checks
Step Three: Making the Match: The e-Buddies Director completes the matching process by creating the e-Buddies friendships. The Director looks at the following criteria in an effort to make the best possible match.
e-Buddies Matching Criteria
Individuals must:
• Be within 10 years of age
• Have two or more interests in common
• Not live in the same state
• Meet the following gender rules:
All females with intellectual disabilities are matched with female e-Buddies
Males with intellectual disabilities are matched with male e-Buddies unless they expressed a willingness to be matched with female e-Buddies on their application
A Match Made...
When e-Buddies completes the matching process, both participants are notified of their match by e-mail. Each participant is sent his or her e-Buddy's name, and shared interests and a new e-Buddies pair is born!
E-MAIL BASICS
Now that you have been matched with your e-Buddy, it is time to send an e-mail. The first e-mail should be short and simple-enough to introduce yourself and ask some questions in an effort to start to get to know your e-Buddy.
SAMPLE INTRODUCTORY E-MAIL: Dear Sarah: |
All matches made after July 1st, 2002 use the e-Buddies e-Mail Forwarding System. The following provides detailed information about utilizing that system.
e-Buddies E-mail Forwarding System-Quick Reference
In order to make e-Buddies even better and safer, we have simplified our e-mail process. Now, all correspondence between matched e-Buddies will go to a single mailbox, ebuddy@ebuddies.org . Note: This e-mail address will only work if you have been matched with an e-Buddy.
How It Works
When you e-mail your e-Buddy at ebuddy@ebuddies.org , the message you send will be automatically forwarded to your e-Buddy's e-mail address. First, the e-mail system looks at the e-mail address that the e-mail is being sent from, to figure out who you are. Then it determines who your e-Buddy is and forwards the message to your e-Buddy's e-mail address. Your e-mail address in the e-mail header will be replaced with ebuddy@ebuddies.org , so your e-Buddy can reply directly to the incoming e-mail.
What makes this better?
• You will not have to give out your real e-mail address, making e-Buddies more secure than ever! • You will not have to remember a new e-mail address, so losing your e-Buddy's e-mail address will no longer be a problem • We can track how many e-mails are being exchanged in order to ensure that all e-Buddies participants are fulfilling their commitment.
It is important for you to:
• Always use the ebuddy@ebuddies.org e-mail address when contacting your e-Buddy.
• Send all your e-mails from the same e-mail address with which you have signed up for e-Buddies. If you change your e-mail address, please be sure to update your records on the e-Buddies website. Go to www.ebuddies.org , click on the button at the bottom of the page that says: " e-Buddies: Did you change your e-mail address? Please click here. " Once there, follow the simple instructions to change your e-mail address.
• When e-mailing your e-Buddy at ebuddy@ebuddies.org , be sure to remove any signatures from your e-mails that may reveal your actual e-mail address, and do not include your actual e-mail address in the body of your e-mail.
• Immediately report to e-Buddies staff if your e-Buddy asks you to contact them at a different e-mail address.
