JUNE 2020: DUE TO COVID-19 CONCERNS THE SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE IS CLOSED TO TRAINING, SAN FRANCISCO BAY VOLUNTEERS CAN STILL APPLY, BUT WILL NEED TO BE ABLE TO TRAIN REMOTELY FOR THE TIME BEING.
Chat Room Moderator
Volunteer Application
Youth Chat Rooms
Since their inception, the youth Chat Rooms have provided a Safe Space for youth under the age of 19 to find support and acceptance. Many of our LGBTQIA youth do not have the options open to older individuals and may not have access to local support or a place to find someone who will listen and give them the support they need. Because of this isolation they also may not know many or any other LGBTQIA folks. The Chat Rooms provides a place they can go on a weekly basis and find some of the support they deserve to have in their lives.
The Chat Rooms are Safe Spaces where they can be open with their feelings, talk about fears or doubts, but also talk about the victories and good things that have happened in their lives. Being an online chat room where young people can come week after week; they can form friendships and create support circles. The chat rooms can be places to be themselves and let their guards down. It can be a place to vent over a hard day or to talk about their first shot of testosterone. At times the rooms can be serious and the conversation can be about coming out, discrimination or bullying, but other times it can be about favorite bands, or the latest show binged on Netflix.
The role of the Moderators is to create a Safe Space where youth can feel they can be open with their emotions and express themselves freely. This can be accomplished by kind and affirming words, giving each youth the respect they deserve and protecting the chat room from pranks or verbal attacks. Sometimes the Moderator will lead a discussion, ask open-ended questions or answer questions about the LGBTQIA community.
Volunteer requirements:
Moderators must be at least 18 years old.
-Commit to a 2 hour shift each week for at least 12 months (starting after training)
-Basic internet knowledge
-Ability to type and communicate in English
-Mature nature, but able to connect with young people
-Strong conversation skills greatly sought.
Because there this is a form of peer support, and for youth to feel more comfortable with an adult leading the room, Moderators must identify with the theme of the particular room they are applying for.
-For the LGBT chat room, Moderator must identify anywhere on the LGBTQ spectrum.
-For the Transgender chat rooms, Moderator must identify as Transgender. (Moderators will run two separate rooms, the main teen room and a lesser used under 13 room)
-For the Asexual chat room, Moderator must identify as Asexual/Aromatic.
(A potential Moderator can apply for more than one room if they identify with more than one label)
If you are selected as a volunteer, we want to stress the importance of feeling highly confident that you can honor your commitment of being available for your Chat Room shift (with the exception of illness or vacation). Some volunteer opportunities lend themselves to great flexibility. This is NOT the case with this type of work, since a Moderator is required for the Chat Rooms to open and young people are counting on this space to be available to them. If a Moderator does not show up for their shift, the room can not open. So please, give careful thought to your schedule to make sure you feel comfortable with making this commitment.
Training
Volunteer Chat Room Moderators will go through a training program that consists of several parts:
-Completing the application below
-Interview with Administration staff. This will be a chance to get to know us, and for us to get to know you. We’ll be able to answer questions you may have, and we can see on both ends if this would be a good fit.
-Complete an online study course
-Shadow a current Moderator for several sessions before joining in as a Moderator.
We realize there are many volunteering opportunities out there and we want to thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!
Please fill out the application below and we will get in touch with you shortly.
(contact information in application form will only be used for correspondence and will not be shared with any third parties)
Since their inception, the youth Chat Rooms have provided a Safe Space for youth under the age of 19 to find support and acceptance. Many of our LGBTQIA youth do not have the options open to older individuals and may not have access to local support or a place to find someone who will listen and give them the support they need. Because of this isolation they also may not know many or any other LGBTQIA folks. The Chat Rooms provides a place they can go on a weekly basis and find some of the support they deserve to have in their lives.
The Chat Rooms are Safe Spaces where they can be open with their feelings, talk about fears or doubts, but also talk about the victories and good things that have happened in their lives. Being an online chat room where young people can come week after week; they can form friendships and create support circles. The chat rooms can be places to be themselves and let their guards down. It can be a place to vent over a hard day or to talk about their first shot of testosterone. At times the rooms can be serious and the conversation can be about coming out, discrimination or bullying, but other times it can be about favorite bands, or the latest show binged on Netflix.
The role of the Moderators is to create a Safe Space where youth can feel they can be open with their emotions and express themselves freely. This can be accomplished by kind and affirming words, giving each youth the respect they deserve and protecting the chat room from pranks or verbal attacks. Sometimes the Moderator will lead a discussion, ask open-ended questions or answer questions about the LGBTQIA community.
Volunteer requirements:
Moderators must be at least 18 years old.
-Commit to a 2 hour shift each week for at least 12 months (starting after training)
-Basic internet knowledge
-Ability to type and communicate in English
-Mature nature, but able to connect with young people
-Strong conversation skills greatly sought.
Because there this is a form of peer support, and for youth to feel more comfortable with an adult leading the room, Moderators must identify with the theme of the particular room they are applying for.
-For the LGBT chat room, Moderator must identify anywhere on the LGBTQ spectrum.
-For the Transgender chat rooms, Moderator must identify as Transgender. (Moderators will run two separate rooms, the main teen room and a lesser used under 13 room)
-For the Asexual chat room, Moderator must identify as Asexual/Aromatic.
(A potential Moderator can apply for more than one room if they identify with more than one label)
If you are selected as a volunteer, we want to stress the importance of feeling highly confident that you can honor your commitment of being available for your Chat Room shift (with the exception of illness or vacation). Some volunteer opportunities lend themselves to great flexibility. This is NOT the case with this type of work, since a Moderator is required for the Chat Rooms to open and young people are counting on this space to be available to them. If a Moderator does not show up for their shift, the room can not open. So please, give careful thought to your schedule to make sure you feel comfortable with making this commitment.
Training
Volunteer Chat Room Moderators will go through a training program that consists of several parts:
-Completing the application below
-Interview with Administration staff. This will be a chance to get to know us, and for us to get to know you. We’ll be able to answer questions you may have, and we can see on both ends if this would be a good fit.
-Complete an online study course
-Shadow a current Moderator for several sessions before joining in as a Moderator.
We realize there are many volunteering opportunities out there and we want to thank you for your interest in volunteering with us!
Please fill out the application below and we will get in touch with you shortly.
(contact information in application form will only be used for correspondence and will not be shared with any third parties)