Association of Information Technology Professionals

Help Network - Volunteer Guidelines

• Availability
  Please make yourself available through as many communication channels as possible. Email will be required as the minimum method of contact.
  
  An instant messenger service is encouraged. If you primarily use the computers in the labs, you may use the web-based MSN Messenger service which can be found at the following address:
  
  http://webmessenger.msn.com/
  (This will require a Passport account. If you have a Hotmail or msn.com email address, you already have a passport account.)
   

• Face-to-Face Meetings
  Meetings between a volunteer and a student seeking help are completely at the discretion of the volunteer.
   

• Response Time
  Please respond to those seeking help in a timely manner. If you are contacted by email, respond within 24 hours even if it is just to confirm that you have received the person’s email. If this is the case let them know when you will have a response with the help that they need.
   

• Referrals
  Don't be afraid to tell someone that you cannot help them if you don't know the answer to their question, suggest that they try someone else on the network.
   

• Assistance Procedures
  
  In the interest of protecting yourself:
  
  

  1. Ask for the name of the person, the class (course number and section number),  and the professor of the class in which the person is seeking help.
  
  
  2. Keep a record of whom you help. Save e-mails, and/or instant messenger conversations (copy and paste into a text file), make a note of any phone conversations.
     
  3. Send a very brief email to the professor (noting the information in step one above) describing the assistance provided unless the professor has requested that they not receive confirmation.
      

• Limitations
  Remember that help is for CIS classes only, if you choose to help someone with classes other than this, that is your prerogative.
  
  We are not volunteering to be a “simple solution” provider. The purpose is to provide students with a better understanding of the concepts that are covered in CIS classes. Any help outside of this is strictly up to the volunteer.
   

• Academic Integrity
  If you suspect any violations of the Missouri State Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, refer to your saved correspondence and contact the professor of the student immediately and cease all communication to the student. Also, alert the other volunteers on the list.
   

• If you have any problems, contact Brandon Perkins at bkp533s@missouristate.edu.