Early Pilot — starting small, learning carefully

Trust & Safety

We start small on purpose. Building trust takes time.

Our Approach

OneHourHelp is being built carefully. We know that connecting strangers—even for one hour—requires clear boundaries, honest expectations, and a system that protects everyone involved.

We're still learning. These policies will evolve as we test the model, listen to feedback, and discover what actually keeps people safe.

Clear Boundaries

Not all problems fit in one hour. Here's what OneHourHelp is—and isn't—designed for.

✓ What We Can Help With

  • Basic technology tasks (setting up accounts, navigating websites, troubleshooting simple issues)
  • Filling out forms or applications
  • Learning a specific tool or skill
  • Understanding documents, bills, or notices
  • Brainstorming ideas for small projects
  • General guidance on navigating online services

✗ What We Cannot Help With

  • Medical advice or health emergencies — Seek professional medical care
  • Legal advice or representation — Consult a licensed attorney
  • Financial planning or investment advice — Work with a certified financial advisor
  • Mental health counseling or crisis support — Contact a licensed therapist or crisis hotline
  • Situations involving immediate danger — Call emergency services (911 or local equivalent)
  • Problems requiring professional licenses — Students are not certified professionals

Student Verification

All student volunteers go through a structured verification process.

1. Campus Club Membership

Students join through a registered One Hour Club at their college or university. This means they're part of a recognized student organization with oversight.

2. Training & Orientation

Before their first session, students complete a brief training that covers boundaries, respectful communication, privacy basics, and when to escalate.

3. Code of Conduct Agreement

Every student signs a commitment to respectful, ethical behavior. Violations result in removal from the program.

4. Session Logging

All sessions are logged (who, when, problem type, outcome). This creates accountability and helps us improve.

Note: During the early pilot phase, we're starting with one club at one college. As we expand, this verification process will be refined.

Privacy & Consent

Your information is treated with care.

Minimal Data Collection

We only collect what's necessary to coordinate sessions: names, contact info, problem descriptions, and feedback.

No Recordings

Sessions are not recorded. What's discussed stays between the two participants.

No Sharing Without Permission

We will not share your name, story, or details publicly without explicit consent.

Aggregate Data Only

We may publish general insights (e.g., "80% of sessions involved tech help"), but never specific details that could identify individuals.

Right to Opt Out

You can request to have your information removed from our records at any time.

Exception: If a session reveals a situation involving harm or danger, we may be required to report it to appropriate authorities.

Code of Conduct

Everyone participating in OneHourHelp agrees to these principles:

Respect

Treat every person with dignity. No discrimination, harassment, or disrespectful language.

Honesty

Be truthful about what you can and cannot help with. If you don't know something, say so.

Boundaries

Stay within the one-hour timeframe. Don't ask for personal favors, money, or contact outside the session unless explicitly agreed upon.

Professionalism

Show up on time. If you need to cancel, give notice. Take the commitment seriously.

Confidentiality

Don't share details of the conversation without permission.

Safety First

If something feels wrong, unsafe, or outside your skill level, pause the session and escalate to OneHourHelp coordinators.

Reporting & Escalation

If something goes wrong, here's how to report it.

When to Report

  • Disrespectful or inappropriate behavior
  • Requests that cross professional boundaries
  • Concerns about safety or privacy
  • Problems that require professional intervention
  • Technical issues or mismatches that made the session ineffective

How to Report

Email: one.hour.help.online@gmail.com

All reports are reviewed promptly. We'll follow up within 48 hours during pilot phase.

What Happens Next

  • We investigate the situation
  • We take appropriate action (ranging from coaching to removal from the program)
  • We update our policies if needed
  • We keep you informed throughout the process

Anonymous feedback: If you'd prefer to share concerns anonymously, you can use our feedback form without providing identifying information.

Building Trust Takes Time

We're not rushing this.

OneHourHelp is in early pilot mode because we want to test these systems before scaling them. Every policy on this page will be refined based on real experience.

We're committed to:

  • Listening to feedback from both students and those they help
  • Being transparent when something doesn't work
  • Evolving our approach as we learn
  • Never sacrificing safety for growth

If you have suggestions on how to make OneHourHelp safer or more trustworthy, we want to hear them.

Questions About Safety?

We're here to address any concerns.