ACT Volunteer Role Description

Online Outreach Volunteer

(Recruiting)




Programme


Gay Men's Online Outreach

Supervisor


Gay Men's Online Outreach Coordinator

ACT's
Mission Statement


The AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT) develops and delivers innovative programs and services that promote the dignity, health and well-being of individuals and communities living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS..




Purpose


Outreach Volunteers provide the following to men who have sex with men:

-Affirm sexuality.
-Information and referral to virtual services/e-resources.
-Peer support through active listening.

Outreach Volunteers engage in an on-going educational process to remain on top of relevant community sexual health issues

Benefits


Opportunities:

-to speak with men who have sex with men about sexuality, safer sex, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
-to provide direct support and referrals.
-to remain on top of relevant community sexual health issues.
-to play a role in preventing the spread of HIV and other STIs and making a positive difference in the lives of the men we serve.

Capacity Building in the areas of:

- Communication skills.
- Peer support through active listening and provision of referral services.
- Knowledge of HIV and other STIs, and an ability to place that knowledge within a risk reduction framework.
- More than 20 hours of training on sexual health issues affecting men who have sex with men, and skills used in working with these men to promote health and reduce the risk of HIV and other STIs.

Access to ACT Volunteer Benefits including the following: volunteer appreciation events, ongoing support and supervision, letters of reference and opportunities for knowledge transfer.

Time Commitment


1 hours per week
for 12 months
Details:
Providing on-line support and referrals at least once or twice a month

Duties


The Volunteer will:
Engage in virtual outreach by interacting on-line with men through discussions about sexual health, providing information on HIV and other STIs and providing appropriate referrals.

Engage in on-going educational opportunities provided by ACT to remain on top of sexual health issues affecting men who have sex with men.

Complete Session Reports in order to provide feedback and input to the Gay Men's On-line Outreach Coordinator based on experience gained during virtual outreach shifts and through community involvement.

Maintain ongoing communication with On-line Outreach Coordinator.

Accountability to completing scheduled shifts.

Abide by the ACT's Policies and Procedures, Volunteer Code of Conduct and Joint Volunteer Outreach Consensual Agreement, as well as any program specific protocols and procedures.

Personal Qualities
and Skills


Required Qualities & Skills:
-ability to tactfully communicate with individuals in crisis.
- excellent communication skills.
- professional, responsible and reliable.
- comfort with sexuality, sex and public sex discussions
- understanding of and comfort with a diversity of sexual identities and behaviours.
- ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries.
- ability to work independently as well as within a team structure.
- willing to perform shifts on evenings and/or weekends.
- fluency in languages other than English an asset

Training
Requirements


Volunteer Core Skills Training, Program-Specific Training, On-the-job Training with Supervisor and/or other Volunteers



For more information about or to apply for this role, contact:
Program Volunteer Resources Manager
AIDS Committee of Toronto
399 Church Street, 4th floor
Toronto, M5B 2J6

phone: (416) 340-2437