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Welcome

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Thank you for stepping up. Over the Bridge Future Fishers Foundation (“OTBFF”) exists to connect youth to pride, stewardship, and opportunity in the Coastal Bend. Fishing is one of our tools — connection, confidence, and community are the mission.

 

This handbook applies to all volunteers across all OTBFF activities (clubs, camps, leagues, tournaments, outreach, fundraisers, partner events, meetings, travel, and online spaces where you’re representing OTBFF).

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1) Who We Are (and how volunteers help)

 

OTBFF is building something bigger than a program — we’re building a culture. We believe youth thrive when they feel connected: to mentors, to nature, to community, and to their own potential.

 

Volunteers help bring that mission to life by:

 

• Showing up with consistency and care

• Creating safe, welcoming spaces

• Helping youth build confidence through hands-on experiences

• Modeling stewardship and respect for our coastal environment

• Representing the kind of community we want to grow

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Bottom line: when kids feel seen, supported, and capable — everything changes.

 

2) What We Expect (simple standards)

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As an OTBFF volunteer, I agree to:

 

• Put youth safety and wellbeing first

• Be respectful, inclusive, and calm under pressure

• Follow OTBFF leads and safety procedures

• Protect youth privacy and dignity

• Support OTBFF’s mission in how I speak and behave

• Ask questions when unsure and communicate concerns early

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3) Youth Safety & Boundaries

 

Youth safety is non-negotiable. We run our programs in ways that protect kids and protect volunteers.

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Two-adult rule

 

OTBFF follows a two-adult rule whenever feasible:

 

• Avoid one-on-one situations with a youth.

• If one-on-one support is necessary, keep it in a visible, public area and notify a lead.

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Appropriate boundaries

 

• Keep communication age-appropriate and respectful.

• No teasing, humiliation, bullying, or rough play.

• No private messaging with minors. Communication should go through parents/guardians or approved program channels.

• Avoid favoritism or isolating youth.

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Youth leaders (age 17)

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OTBFF may allow trained 17-year-old youth leaders.

 

• Youth leaders follow the same conduct standards.

• They are never placed in sole supervision of younger youth.

• They operate under adult supervision and the two-adult rule.

 

If something feels off

 

If you witness or suspect unsafe behavior, harassment, grooming, abuse, or neglect:

 

• Notify OTBFF leadership immediately.

• If there is immediate danger, call 911.

 

Safety Lead Contact: Michael Lacy 361-353-0336

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4) Respect, Inclusion, and Community Culture

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We want every youth and family to feel welcome.

 

Volunteers must not engage in:

 

• Harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or bullying

• Aggressive confrontation or escalating conflict

• Profanity directed at youth or families

• Shaming families for gear, experience level, ability, or income

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If conflict happens:

 

• De-escalate calmly.

• Bring in an OTBFF lead.

• Keep it private and away from youth when possible.

 

5) Safety Practices (water, boats, weather, equipment)

 

OTBFF activities occur in outdoor coastal environments where conditions change quickly.

 

PFD required

 

OTBFF may require PFDs at all times depending on the activity and conditions (boats, kayaks, piers, docks, surf, jetties, wading areas, etc.). Volunteers must:

 

• Follow all PFD rules and model safety.

• Support safety decisions without debate.

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Boats and kayaks

 

If you volunteer on or near boats/kayaks:

 

• Follow lead/captain instructions at all times.

• Do not exceed capacity limits.

• Maintain safe loading/unloading and spacing.

• Never allow youth to operate equipment unless explicitly authorized and supervised.

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Weather and reschedules

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OTBFF may relocate, delay, modify, or cancel activities for lightning, heat risk, high surf, wind, unsafe water conditions, or other hazards. Volunteers agree to support safety calls and help communicate calmly to youth and families.

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Incidents & injuries

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• Report injuries/incidents immediately to a lead.

• Do not post about incidents online.

• Do not provide medical advice beyond your training.

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6) Substance-Free and Responsible Conduct

 

To protect youth and program safety:

 

• No alcohol, drugs, or impairment while volunteering or while wearing OTBFF gear.

• No weapons at youth activities unless legally permitted and specifically approved by OTBFF leadership for the context.

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7) Privacy and Confidentiality

 

Volunteers may learn personal information about youth and families. Please keep all of it confidential.

 

Do not share publicly or privately:

 

• Youth names, school details, or family circumstances

• Scholarship status or financial information

• Schedules, meet-up locations in real time

• Internal disagreements, operations, or sensitive partner communications

 

If a family shares something personal, treat it with care and discretion.

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8) Media, Public Messaging, and Personal Promotion (Volunteer Discretion)

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8.1) When you volunteer, you represent OTBFF

 

When you are volunteering at any OTBFF activity (clubs, camps, leagues, tournaments, outreach events, fundraisers, partner events, etc.), you’re part of the team and you represent OTBFF in the community. We ask volunteers to keep our mission and youth impact at the center of how we show up.

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8.2) If media contacts you, please let OTBFF know

 

If a reporter, photographer, blogger, influencer, or content creator reaches out to you about OTBFF or approaches you while you’re volunteering, please notify OTBFF leadership as soon as reasonably possible. This helps us stay aligned on details and ensure youth privacy and safety.

 

Media/PR Contact:  Samantha Lacy 361-353-0336

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8.3) Volunteer statements are welcome — keep them aligned and youth-centered

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Volunteers are welcome to share their experience and speak positively about OTBFF. When you do:

 

• Keep it respectful, accurate, and aligned with our mission

• Avoid speculation, conflict, or commenting on internal matters

• Protect youth privacy (no names, school details, scholarship status, schedules, or meet-up locations in real time)

• A helpful framing is: “Fishing is the mechanism — connection and stewardship are the mission.”

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Suggested language:

 

• “I volunteer with Over the Bridge Future Fishers. From what I’ve seen…”

• “I can share my experience, and OTBFF leadership can provide official details.”

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4) Personal endeavors — okay, but keep OTBFF front and center

 

OTBFF is proud to work alongside community members who have their own projects and businesses. If you share personal endeavors in connection with volunteering, please do so in a way that:

• Keeps OTBFF and the youth mission as the primary focus

• Doesn’t distract from or overshadow the program

• Doesn’t imply OTBFF endorsement unless it’s been approved

• Follows any event rules and sponsor agreements

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If you’re unsure what’s appropriate, just check with leadership first — we’re happy to help.

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5) When in doubt, pause and ask

 

If you’re uncertain about an interview, a post, or what to share publicly, pause and reach out to OTBFF leadership. We’d rather answer a quick question than fix confusion later.

 

9) Conflicts of Interest, Donations, and Sponsorships

 

OTBFF welcomes community support — we just need clarity and transparency.

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Conflicts of interest

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Let leadership know if you:

 

• Have a business that may seek paid work, promotion, or exclusive access through OTBFF

• Have a relationship that could affect decisions

• Are soliciting sponsorships or donations connected to OTBFF

 

Donations and sponsorships

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Only authorized representatives may:

 

• Accept donations on behalf of OTBFF

• Promise sponsorship benefits

• Create agreements or commitments

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If you have a sponsor lead, connect them to: [Fundraising Contact Name/Email]

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10) Social Media & Photo/Video Guidelines

 

We love positive sharing — with youth safety first.

 

• Follow OTBFF photo permission rules and media releases.

• If you don’t know whether a youth has permission, don’t post them.

• Do not post meet-up locations in real time.

• Keep posts respectful and mission-aligned.

• Avoid online arguments. If something gets heated, pause and notify leadership.

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11) Reporting Concerns

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If something doesn’t feel safe or aligned, please speak up.

 

• Safety concerns: Michael Lacy 361-353-0336

• Volunteer conduct concerns: Michael Lacy 361-353-0336

• Media/public messaging concerns: Samantha Lacy 361-353-0336

 

We prefer early communication. Small issues handled early stay small.

 

12) Accountability and Removal

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OTBFF may pause or end volunteer participation if:

 

• Safety rules aren’t followed

• Youth wellbeing is compromised

• Behavior undermines program trust or community culture

• A volunteer repeatedly ignores lead direction

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This isn’t about punishment — it’s about protecting youth and preserving a strong program.

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