Become a Volunteer with Better Together

LSS Better Together is an independent adult service that provides aging adults who live on their own with long-term relationships and neighborly activities.

Volunteers are matched with a Neighbor to enjoy a variety of activities together, such as running errands, going for lunch, participating in community events or
just visiting. Volunteers simply commit to spend time with their Neighbor for four hours per month.

If you have special skills or talents you would like to share with an older adult, please contact LSS to see how you can help. Examples include assisting with technology, cleaning and organizing projects, baking or hair styling.

Apply for this Volunteer Opportunity

If you would like to become a Volunteer with the LSS Better Together program, here are the steps you will need to take:

Step 1: Fill out the Better Together application and background release form.

Complete an application and background release form. Submit the completed application to LSS. Please be sure to complete all blanks on the application before submitting it.

Apply to Become a Volunteer Online Volunteer Application
Print Out the Volunteer Application
Complete the Background Check Release Form

Step 2: Complete a background screen.
Upon successful completion of a background screen, which includes a FBI fingerprint check, criminal records check, outstanding warrants check and personal reference checks, volunteers are invited to attend training. In order for volunteers to transport neighbors, they must have a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance and a relatively clean driving record.

Step 3: Attend mandatory training and orientation.
Volunteers must attend a mandatory training and orientation meeting prior to meeting with a neighbor. At the training, volunteers will learn more about their match if one is available.

Step 4: Match & meet with your neighbor.
The volunteer will work with the neighbor to schedule a time to meet. This can take place at any time throughout the week and can vary according to you and
your neighbor’s schedule.

Step 5: Start volunteering.
Neighbors work with their volunteer to decide what they will do at each meeting. Volunteers and neighbors may be involved in a variety of activities, such as
playing cards, going for a walk, watching a movie, eating a meal together, going shopping, knitting or just drinking coffee and talking. LSS will provide guidance and support, as well as conduct regular check-ins with the neighbor and volunteer participants throughout their participation in the program.

If you would like more information about what volunteering at the LSS Better Together program looks like, please read our Volunteer Description.

Better Together Volunteer Application

To become a volunteer for LSS Better Together, please complete the fields listed below and click "Send Now" at the bottom of the page. If a couple, family or group are volunteering together, every person over the age of 18 must complete an application.

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 48 hours confirming the application went through successfully, please contact LSS Better Together at 605-444-7805.

Please also be sure to complete the release for a criminal background check. Both the application and release forms must be completed in order to apply to become a mentor.

Background Check Release Form

Fill Out the Volunteer Application

Contact Information

First Name (Required)

Last Name (Required)

Middle Initial

Gender

male
female

Home Address

Country

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City *

State/Province *

Postal Code *

Home Phone

Work Phone

Cell Phone

Email (Required)

Best Contact Method

Email
Text
Facebook
Cell
Home
Work

Prefer call in

a.m.
p.m.

Employer Name

Job Title

Number of Years with Employer

Employer Address

Country

Address Line 1 *

Address Line 2

City *

State/Province *

Postal Code *

Have you ever been convicted of a drug charge?

If so, charge and year it occurred

Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offense?

If so, charge and year it occurred

Have you ever been convicted of abuse, neglect, or assault?

If so, charge and year it occurred

I am volunteering

on my own
with another person
with a group
with my family

List the person or group you are volunteering with. All volunteers aged18 and older must complete an application.

Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who has completed an application when they volunteer. If you are volunteering with your child(ren), please list their names and ages:

I am comfortable working with a senior who lives alone.

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I am comfortable working with a senior with limited mobility.

I am comfortable working with a senior on daily living tasks (grocery shopping, sorting mail, etc.)

I am comfortable going to community events with a senior.

I am comfortable transporting a senior in my personal car.

I am comfortable with a senior having a pet.

I am comfortable with a senior smoking or living with a smoker.

I am comfortable with a senior having limited room in their home or struggling to keep their home clean?

I am comfortable with a senior having some memory issues.

I am comfortable with a senior dealing with a chronic condition.

Referral Information

How did you hear about LSS Better Together? Check as many as apply and describe below

Please provide any additional referral details

Matching Information

I am available the following days/times:

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

I would like to meet:

once per week
every other week
once per month
twice per month
other

Please define the other times you would like to meet:

I am interested in participating in monthly events organized by LSS?

yes
no
on occasion
not sure

Please list any other information about yourself you feel would be helpful in matching you. This can include any special hobbies, talents, or interests.

Please describe any previous experience working with older adults.

Why are you interested in volunteering for this program?

References

Please list three non-family references. Please provide complete information to expedite your application.

1st Reference

Name

Relationship

Primary Phone

Secondary Phone

Primary Email Address

Secondary Email Address

2nd Reference

Name

Relationship

Primary Phone

Secondary Phone

Primary Email Address

Secondary Email Address

3rd Reference

Name

Relationship

Primary Phone

Secondary Phone

Primary Email Address

Secondary Email Address

Emergency contact name

Relationship

Phone

Volunteer Agreement

Please check yes or no to confirm your understanding of the program guidelines. Thank you for carefully reading before completing.

By checking yes, I hereby state that if accepted as a mentor, I agree to abide by the rules and regulations of LSS Mentoring Services. I affirm that:

The information I have provided in the application may be verified, and I give permission to Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota to make inquiry of others concerning my suitability to act as a volunteer.

In the course of volunteering as a mentor, I may be dealing with confidential information, and I agree to keep said information in the strictest confidence. This means that I will not discuss my senior’s personal problems publicly or with others. If I need help, I will seek the assistance of LSS. I understand that this confidentiality does not apply to suspicions I may have about abuse, neglect, illegal activity, or suicide. If these issues arise, I will immediately contact program personnel.

The relationship between volunteers is an “at will” arrangement, and that it may be terminated at any time without cause by the volunteer, the senior, or Lutheran Social Services.

I agree to attend orientation.

I agree to abide by the policies and guidelines of the program. I understand that failure to do so may result in termination of the mentoring relationship.

I understand that all activities shall take place only during mutually agreed upon times.

I will volunteer approximately four hours per month. In the event that I cannot attend as scheduled, I agree to contact my senior in advance of the scheduled meeting.

I am willing to commit to one year in the program and will be asked to renew my participation in subsequent years.

I understand that I will be able to meet in public locations throughout the community.

I will participate in an additional training, submit to additional background screening (fingerprinting, auto insurance, etc).

I agree that my assignees, heirs, distributes, guardians and other legal representatives will not make a claim against, or sue for injury or damage resulting from the negligence or other acts, howsoever caused, by any employee, agent, or volunteer contractor of the organization as a result of my participation as a volunteer. I hereby release LSS from all actions, claims, or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, guardians and legal representatives now have or may hereafter have for injury resulting from my participation as a volunteer.

If my volunteer service includes driving an automobile, I acknowledge that I have both a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance policy as required by state law. I agree to maintain my license and insurance in good standing for my entire tenure as a volunteer for the organization. I am knowledgeable of and agree to abide by local and state traffic laws. I agree not to drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or other intoxicating substances.

By clicking here, I certify that all the information I have provided in the application above is accurate.

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