Forbes lists BBBS of America as one of just 10 that they say "Shine." How is your support used?

Big Benny

Frequently
Asked
Questions

These also apply to "COUL Balance" donations

Who can I contact for help and assistance

What is a Big Benny
Who can be a Big Benny

What does my money support
What happens when a Big and Little get together each week
Who gets my support (can I direct my support)
What is a Big Benny "Subscription"
Do I need to "Subscribe"
What if I want to change or cancel my subscription

PayPal - What is it
Do I need to set up a PayPal Account
What does "PayPal Verified" mean
What is PayPal "Expanded Use Enrollment"

Other questions? Send them to jnewland @ bbbsr.org

Question: Who can I contact for help and assistance

• During the initial introduction of Big Bennys, our Executive Director, Jeff Newland, is eager to assist in any way (questions from general to technical). Call him at 585-737-7512. As usage grows, other support will become available.
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What is a Big Benny

• A "Big Benny" is a Benefactor who donates in increments (or multiples) of $19.81 to support the relationship between a "Big" (adult in our program) and a "Little" (child in our program) on a weekly basis. It is a whole new way of supporting our kids. It does not change the way we run our agency or help kids. It does change the way a financial benefactor is able to see, know, and feel the good they are doing. It brings you closer to the action than ever before because you will receive a personal post card from a "Big" describing the time he or she spent with their "Little." It's time you help make happen.
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: Who can be a Big Benny

• You. Him. Her. Anyone. Anyone who appreciates affordable levels of support and a tangible sense of doing good.
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What does my money support

• Your money DOES NOT PAY MENTORS. All of our "Bigs" are generous volunteers who donate several hours a week to spend with their "Littles."
• Your donation funds our operation in support of matching Bigs and Littles.
• This includes:
  Initial Investments in:
  • Child Application Process
  • Volunteer Mentor recruiting
  • Mentor interview
  • Professionally conducted Mentor background check (child-safe)
  • Mentor orientation and training
  • Initial match coordination and meeting (the right Big/Little match)
  Ongoing Investments in:
  • Regular match support meetings for Bigs, Littles and parents.
  • Events for Bigs and Littles (supportive, educational and recreational)
  • Continued support and training of Bigs to better enable them to positively impact their Littles as the child grows and matures.

  Research has shown that a failed mentoring relationship is worse than leaving a child alone. Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated to making matches that build a child's future. We will not sacrifice quality.

Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What happens when a Big and Little get together each week?

• So many activities can serve to broaden a child's horizon, showing them the way to a brighter future.
• A lot of it is just the same thing a person might do now. Instead, they do the same things (and some more fun things) with a new, young friend by their side.
  • Talk
  • Start a hobby
  • Walk a dog
  • Ride bikes
  • Build a snowman
  • Talk
  • Bake cookies
  • Wash a car
  • See a movie
  • Hang out and talk
  • Plant a garden
  • Day Dream
  • Plant a future...
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: Who gets my support (can I direct my support)

• Your support is applied to the general operating budget of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester, not a particular Big/Little match. (You will get post cards from several different Bigs about the time they spend with their Littles.)
• You can recognize an area of our operation (a County for instance) by selecting to do so in the Big Benny process. Recognitions are valued and certainly impact decisions pertaining to where to further grow our operations.
• Recognition DOES NOT legally restrict funds in any way.
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Rochester retains the right to direct funds in the best interest of all of the children in our area of operation (Counties: Genesee* Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans* Wayne, Wyoming* and Yates. [*these three scheduled for programming in later 2005]).
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What is a Big Benny "Subscription"

• Subscription is just one way to form your Big Benny relationship with our kids. It give us with the opportunity for efficiency and cost-effectiveness that only predictability provides. We appreciate the subscription relationship.
• To set up a subscription, you will use the PayPal system attached to our site to donate $19.81 via credit card on a regular schedule of your choosing. See more about PayPal below.
• You are NOT REQUIRED to set up a subscription to be a Big Benny. (see below)
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: Do I need to "Subscribe"

• No. You do not need to set up a subscription to be a Big Benny.
• Other great options are available.
  • You can make a one-time donation online (without setting up a PayPal account at all)
  • You can print out a Big Benny form and mail it to us with a check.
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What if I want to change or cancel my subscription

• Subscriptions can be modified by simply choosing your new preference. For instance, if you now donate $19.81 every six months and want to change that to every four months (or vice-versa) you simply choose your new preference and PayPal will automatically convert your old subscription to the new terms.
• Subscriptions can be cancelled by logging into your subscription account (with PayPal) and canceling the subscription.
• Help is available for both, and for setup, through our office (see Who can I contact for help...)
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What is PayPal

• Answer: PayPal is an internationally respected provider of web-based financial transaction services. We trust them, as do millions of other customers. They can tell you more on their web site (PayPal.com).
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: Do I need to set up a PayPal Account

• Only for automatic subscriptions. (See "What is a subscription...")
• Not for one-time online donations.

Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What does "PayPal Verified" mean

According to PayPal Website:

"To become Verified, a PayPal member in the United States must provide (paypal) with proof that (the member) has opened an account at a bank or other financial institution. Because these institutions are required by law to screen account holders, PayPal's verification process increases security when you pay parties you do not know. Please note that PayPal's verification system does not constitute an endorsement of a member, nor a guarantee of a member's business practices. You should always consider other indicators when evaluating members, including length of PayPal membership and reputation scores (on eBay or other auction sites, if applicable)."

If you have a PayPal account, or set one up at this time, you can observe our Verification information online at: https://www.paypal.com/us/verified/pal=jnewland%40bbbsr%2eorg

Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Question: What is PayPal "Expanded Use Enrollment"

• In order to protect your credit card from unauthorized use, PayPal may ask that a person entering credit card information into a subscription agreement prove that they are the rightful owner of the card. This is accomplished by use of the credit card transaction statement you receive monthly, or access online.
• What happens is:
  • PayPal makes a very small, single charge to the card. (refunded)
  • You access your credit card statement (mail or online)
  • You provide to PayPal (via their website) security information from that small transaction.
  • PayPal is then able to confirm that you are the statement holder, and therefore likely the true card owner.
  • PayPal refunds the initial, small charge.
• Yes... it's a couple of extra steps, but we're glad PayPal does this. You can't be 'too' safe with these things. We appreciate your patience with this process.
Back to list of questions (Close this window to continue on our website)

Other questions? Send them to jnewland @ bbbsr.org