ACT Volunteer Role Description

Outreach Volunteer

(Recruiting)




Programme


Gay Men's Outreach

Supervisor


Gay Men's 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..

Programme/Event
Mission Statement


To reduce the transmission of HIV and promote the health of men who have sex with men and the communities to which they belong through community based initiatives such as peer education, venue specific outreach, networking, and interagency collaboration.




Purpose


Gay Men's Outreach maintains three outreach programs: Bar Outreach, Bathhouse Outreach, and Special Events (community events, street festivals, clubs). Special Event Outreach may be done in conjunction with Harm Reduction Outreach or Gay Men's Community Education. Women are welcome to participate in Gay Men's Outreach programs with the exception of Bathhouse Outreach.

Outreach Volunteers provide the following to men who have sex with men:
-Affirm sexuality.
-Information and referral services.
-Peer support through active listening.
-Safer sex materials including: a variety of condoms, water-based lubricant, dental dams, and gloves.

Outreach Volunteers represent ACT to the patrons, staff and management at the community venues where outreach is performed.

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

Benefits


Opportunities:
-to speak with gay men about sexuality, safer sex, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
-to provide direct support and referrals.
-access to relevent 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.

Marketable skills include:
- 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 gay 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 occasional complimentary event tickets, volunteer appreciation events, awards, supervision and letters of reference.


Time Commitment


Minimum of 1 - 2 shifts per month for 1 year. A shift is usually defined as a 3 hour period of time.

Duties


The Volunteer will:
Engage in outreach by pro-actively engaging men in 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 up to date on sexual health issues affecting gay men.

Provide feedback and input to the Gay Men's Outreach Coordinator based on experience gained during outreach and through community involvement.

Respond to outreach communication in a timely manner.

Abide by the ACT's 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:
- warm, friendly, open personality.
- good communication skills.
- professional, responsible and reliable.
- comfort with sexuality, sex and public sex environments.
- understanding of, and comfort with, a diversity of sexual identities and behaviors.
- ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries.
- works well in structured environment.
- willing to perform shifts on evenings and/or weekends.
- experience in customer service preferred.
- fluency in languages other than English preferred.


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