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2020-2021: 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.

Hotline Volunteer Application

Thank you for your interest in helping us, and those we serve!
​
Peer-support volunteers are the back bone of our support system and answer calls from all over the US and Canada.  Chats can come in from anywhere in the world.

​The LGBT National Help Center operate three national hotlines, the LGBT National Hotline, the LGBT National Youth Talkline and the LGBT National Senior Hotline.  Volunteers will be answering from these along with our online peer support chat.  

Our physical office is in San Francisco, but volunteers can work remotely as long as they have reliable internet, Google Chrome version 75 or higher, and a private space to take calls and chats.  Those on macs need to have an operating system of Sierra or newer.

​Volunteers provide phone and chat peer-support, local resources and factual information.  We ask phone and chat peer-support volunteers to make a minimum commitment of THREE (3) consecutive hours each week, the same time each week for at least ONE (1) year after training is completed.

Peer-support Volunteers must be 18 years old or older and identify as part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

If you are selected as a peer-support volunteer, we want to stress the importance of feeling highly confident that you can honor your commitment of being available for your scheduled hotline 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 volunteers are answering a crisis hotline, and if someone doesn't show up for their shift, the phones can go unanswered.  So please, give careful thought to your schedule to make sure you feel comfortable with making this commitment.  

Phone volunteers will go through a training program that consists of several components.
-Completing the application and shift availability below

-Brief phone conversation and  interview.  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 you will get a chance to hear samples of different types of calls we get.  Please feel free to ask questions!

-Complete an online study course

- Complete seven training shifts where you will work with an experienced phone volunteer

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 form 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)

    Hotline Application Form  

    * = must be answered 
    * * * I M P O R T A N T * * *
    We are deeply honored that you are interested in volunteering with the LGBT National Help Center.  
    Volunteering with us requires a substantial time commitment.  Training is a multi-step process, and then we ask that you can commit to a weekly shift and that you can DEPENDABLY work your shift each week for at least one year after you finish training.

    It is important that you feel confident that you can honor this weekly commitment while training AND when becoming a peer-support volunteer.  
    Some volunteer opportunities lend themselves to a lot of flexibility and if you don’t show up for your shift there are others who can fill in for you.  That is NOT the case with this type of volunteering.  Training requires scheduling with a skilled trainer and if you miss a shift it backs up their ability to teach the next new volunteer.  When volunteering, if you don’t show up for your shift, those seeking support don’t get the help they need and those calls and chats go unanswered. 

    So please, give careful thought about your schedule and availability to make sure you are comfortable making this type of commitment.  We also commit to you that we will give you the training and support you need to enable you to feel prepared and excited about volunteering with us.  

    Please type YES in the box below to state that you understand the responsibility and commitment needed to be a peer-support volunteer.
    Because our callers define "peer" as being either gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer, our phone volunteers need to fall into one of these categories. (Please note that if you do not, you can contact us about other volunteer opportunities.)
    Your Available shifts
    We offer 3 hour shifts on the days we are open.  Please select all the shifts on all the days that you would be available for.  You will not be assigned more than one weekly shift, but knowing all of your availabilities for each day will help us schedule your training and volunteer shifts.
    PLEASE NOTE: ALL HOURS ARE LISTED IN PACIFIC STANDARD TIME
    1 PM PACIFIC = 2 PM MOUNTAIN, 3 PM CENTRAL, 4 PM EASTERN
    4 PM PACIFIC = 5 PM MOUNTAIN, 6 PM CENTRAL, 7 PM EASTERN
    6 PM PACIFIC = 7 PM MOUNTAIN, 8 PM CENTRAL, 9 PM EASTERN
    9 AM PACIFIC = 10 AM MOUNTAIN, 11 AM CENTRAL, NOON EASTERN
    11 AM PACIFIC = NOON MOUNTAIN, 1 PM CENTRAL, 2 PM EASTERN

    Please read the following:

    Individuals may volunteer for the LGBT National Help Center in many different capacities.  Relevant to the programs they are volunteering for, the Help Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth), disability, age, citizen status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression, HIV status, military or veteran status and other reasons as protected by law.

    Individuals who specifically want to become phone and chat peer-support volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, and because our callers define “peer” as someone who identifies as LGBTQ, our peer-support volunteers must identify as part of the LGBTQ community.
     
    We understand that everyone comes with their own history, experiences and levels of education and knowledge on LGBTQ issues.  We use our training program to help potential peer-support volunteers gain the skills and knowledge needed to create a Safe Space for our community to feel comfortable to talk about issues and concerns in their lives. 

    It’s important that you:
    -Feel you can ask questions when you’re not sure on something (there are no foolish questions, this is how we learn)
    -Have the willingness to identify areas where you can grow
    -Have the ability for self-reflection
    -Accept constructive guidance
    -Have the willingness to learn
     
    The LGBT National Help Center provides support to those seeking affirmation and acceptance, and we strive to create a safe space for all.  We accept people as they are and how they wish to be addressed, this includes and is not limited to, using the pronouns, names and labels those who contact us use for themselves. 
    ​
    Peer-Support volunteers will not make out going calls, will not give out personal identifying information or meet with callers/chatters.  Peer-Support volunteers will also not make calls on behalf of callers/chatters. 

    The LGBT National Help Center reserves the right to remove volunteers who are unable to comply with our mission and values during training or while on shift.  We will work with you to make training an enjoyable learning experience, but please give careful thought about volunteering and your openness in learning.
    Almost done, we promise!
    Remote volunteers can take calls from their own personal computer using our web-based secure website program. You must have a basic working knowledge of how to use the internet.  You must have a computer with a reliable internet connection.  You must have a quiet, private space to volunteer from.  You cannot use a smartphone or tablet.  

    Browser requirement: Google Chrome Version 75 or above.

    Volunteers will be trained by an experienced trainer remotely.  This requires being able to connect with them over the internet which can pull a large amount of data.  To help ensure training is viable, please open a separate tab and go to www.SpeedTest.net and Click "Begin Test"  or "GO".   When the test is complete, please report the 3 test results here.  (If you prefer to use a different website rather than Speedtest.net, you may, we just need the  PING, Download Speed and Upload Speed numbers).

    If you are unable to take calls because of technical issues, volunteering as a peer-support volunteer CHAT ONLY may be an option. 

    If you don't fill this this part out, we can't know if your internet access is capable to run our phone program. If you would prefer to use a different website rather than Speedtest.net you may, we just need the speeds. 

    **If your address is not in the San Francisco Bay Area, we will assume that you are interested in volunteering remotely and you must complete the speed test to verify the speed of your computer.**

    **REMOTE VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE BELOW SPEED TEST INFORMATION WILL BE DISREGARDED.**
    Our calls are confidential and anonymous, which means we have made a promise to those reaching out to us that we do not record our conversations.  We also do not report calls or make out going calls for our callers, though during the course of our conversation we will strive to provide them the tools they can use if they require to contact additional resources for their health and safety.  

    Potential volunteers who identify as mandated reporters in their professional lives must have the ability to remove those restrictions during the time they are volunteering with us.  We understand that some professions do not allow for that.  If that is the case for you, this type of volunteering isn’t going to be the right fit.  If you identify as a mandated reporter and are not sure if you are able to legally remove those restrictions from yourself, you may need to contact a lawyer or employer before continuing on with this application.    ​
    PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU FILLED YOUR AVAILABLE SHIFT TIMES  ( example: MONDAY 4-6 PM, THURSDAY 6-9 PM )

    AND IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO BE A REMOTE VOLUNTEER MAKE SURE YOU LIST YOUR SPEED TEST RESULTS OTHERWISE WE CAN'T DETERMINE YOUR ABILITY TO VOLUNTEER OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE.
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