We would like to express how grateful The Mustard Seed Family is for all you do. Your service is a vital part of our ministry!

Our policies are as follows:

• Volunteers MUST be at least 16 years of age to serve alone. Volunteers who are 15 years old or younger MUST be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.

• All volunteer activities MUST be scheduled. You must email us or call us at (601) 992-3556 to schedule your volunteer hours prior to volunteering. Your time is not officially scheduled until you receive a confirmation email from one of our employees.

• Volunteers must sign in and out in the gift shop EACH TIME they come to volunteer at The Mustard Seed. *An exception may be made for volunteers who are on campus before or after business hours.

• As a volunteer at The Mustard Seed, we EXPECT your conduct to be in keeping with a Christian environment. Please respect the dignity of the Seedsters, staff, and other volunteers and visitors.

• As stated above, we EXPECT your conduct to be in keeping with a Christian environment and expect the same for OUR staff. If you feel disrespected by a staff member, please inform our Executive Director, Wayne Nunnelee, by emailing him at [email protected] or calling him at (601) 992-3556 (ext. 106).

• Photography is allowed at The Mustard Seed; however, taking videos of Seedsters is PROHIBITED unless approved by the Executive Director, Volunteer Coordinator, or another director on staff. Please “tag” The Mustard Seed on any photos posted on social media and use your very best judgment prior to posting.

• Volunteers are NOT to discipline Seedsters or interject in disciplinary matters. If a behavioral problem occurs, volunteers MUST report the problem to The Mustard Seed staff.

• Volunteers are NOT to give phone numbers or addresses to Seedsters. If you would like to write to a Seedster, please direct all mail to: The Mustard Seed, 1085 Luckney Road, Brandon, MS 39047

• Volunteers are NOT to paint ceramics or instruct Seedsters on painting ceramics; painting is reserved only for Seedsters and their individual artistic vision.

• Please do NOT give Seedsters gifts or food unless previously approved by a Mustard Seed staff member.

• All volunteers, in respecting the dignity of the Seedsters, are NOT allowed in any one-on-one settings. Volunteers must interact with Seedsters in groups of two Seedsters or more. An exception to the policy may be made for the special buddy program and designated locations will be provided.

• Please do NOT sit or hang out at the staff table in the Activity Center. The staff table is a restricted area for confidential paperwork and confidential discussions amongst our Staff.

• In the event of an emergency, all volunteers MUST abide by the rules of The Mustard Seed staff; however, volunteer chaperones are responsible for the location of the members in their group.

• Many of our Seedsters have sensory sensitivities related to sight, sound, and touch. Please let the Seedsters set the desired tone and level of activity.

• The Activity Center is NOT a gymnasium. Please do not bounce balls, throw balls, or run inside.

• The massage chairs in the Activity Center and Small Activity Center are NOT to be used by volunteers or visitors. These chairs are reserved for Seedsters only.

• In an effort to limit distractions for our Seedsters, the designated time set aside for family members to volunteer in the Workshop and Activity Centers is Monday mornings from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. An exception may be made for pre-planned special events.

• The Mustard Seed reserves the right to dismiss anyone not abiding by The Mustard Seed Volunteer Policy.

Last but not least, have fun and enjoy your time at The Mustard Seed!

Thank you for helping us Move Mountains.