What are Sunday Chats and Long-Distance Chats?
Sunday Chats, which began as "Opening Talks" on July 3, 2016, mediate the transfer of experiences, feelings, and thoughts by creating a safe space for LGBTI+s to meet every Sunday between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on a predetermined topic that changes weekly. Long-Distance Chats, which began in 2020 under pandemic conditions, mediate the transfer of experiences, feelings and thoughts by creating a safe space for LGBTI+s on a pre-determined and weekly changing theme via Zoom.
These meetings, which are free and do not require an appointment, are held by peer facilitators who are trained and regularly supervised by the SPoD Department of Psychosocial Support and Mental Health on topics that affect LGBTI+s and our lives. At these meetings, where creating safe spaces is essential, a topic is chosen weekly and posted on SPoD's social media accounts for participants to share experiences, feelings, and thoughts. Through the flow of experience/information and support within the group, conveyed in the Sunday chats and remote chats, LGBTI+ can be together in a safe environment without hiding their gender identity and sexual orientation.
How will the process of volunteering work?
Application deadline: January 20, 2023, 11:59 p.m
Interview Dates: January 23 - 31, 2023, Zoom
Orientation Dates: February 4 - 5, 2023, zoom
Applicants will receive positive or negative feedback by Sunday, January 22. Interview dates will be selected from those based on applicant and team eligibility dates.
Please click for the application form.
Who are the volunteers for Sunday Chats and Long-Distance Chats?
- The volunteers are the people who leads the weekly chats with the team according to the schedule they set. Usually, two volunteers co-lead the conversations.
- They try to moderate the conversations so that the LGBTI+ participating in the conversations can share their experiences, feelings and thoughts in a safe space.
- The volunteers write their name for the week they want to have a conversation in the given monthly calendar.
- They determine the topic of the week that they will talk about with the other team member who wants to chat that week.
- They choose a picture related to the topic to be announced on social media and write a short description. They submit the topic, image, and explanation of the week to the team and the Communications Team Coordinator.
- They create a zoom link for long-distance chats that week and email it the day before the chat to those who filled out the chat form, and email the location to participants the day before for Sunday conversations.
- After the call, they fill out the meeting notes template with the summary of the call and their own feelings and thoughts and send it to the team.
Other duties and responsibilities are as follows
- Participate in the entire 2-day orientation program held on February 4 and 5.
- Continuing to volunteer for at least 6 months after orientation.
- Immediately fulfill their duties on the days and hours they participated in the Long-Distance Chats.
- Lead a chat at least once every 12 weeks.
- To regularly attend supervision meetings where we discuss our experiences or what we want to share in the chats as a team under the consultation of clinical psychologists, discover new methods and conduct them every 4 weeks. Those who fail to attend supervision meetings 3 times within a year without excuse will not be able to continue as a volunteer.
- Attend meetings with the coordinator and team every 6 weeks to strengthen communication within the team and within the association. Those who fail to attend team and coordination meetings 4 times within a year without an excuse will not be able to continue as a volunteer.
Qualifications and Expectations:
- Mastery of volunteer guidelines.
- Must be aware that if they cannot follow the principles of division of labor and active participation in Long-Distance Chats and Sunday Chats guidelines, they will not be able to assume the role of facilitator.
- To be sensitive and knowledgeable about issues that affect LGBTI+s.
- To be aware of the fact that participants in the chats can be very emotional and intense with each other. Informing the person in charge of any emotional difficulties, asking for support, and taking a break if requested.
- To act without prejudice toward all participants.
- To work alone and as a team member.
- To be aware of and accept one's responsibilities.
- To assume equal responsibility within the volunteer team.
- Be open to criticism and be accountable.
- Participate in additional activities of the association such as trainings, events, etc., apart from their duties and responsibilities.
- Make meaningful contributions to the team to reach more club members and be more effective, and improve access to all services of the association.
- Maintain balance between Sunday chats and long-distance chats for Istanbul moderators and focus on Sunday chats when necessary.
SPoD's Responsibilities:
- Organize facilitation trainings for volunteers.
- Organize capacity building trainings on thematic issues that volunteers need.
- Explain the functioning and procedures of Sunday Chats and Long-Distance Chats.
- Ensure that volunteers are supervised to prevent them from becoming emotionally charged.
- Organize self-care workshops to protect the well-being of volunteers.
- Encourage volunteers who need support due to secondary trauma to reach out to experts in the psychologist network.
You will gain:
- Support in creating safe spaces for LGBTI+ to express themselves.
- The communication and orientation skills you will gain in providing this support.
- Training and capacity building, personal and professional development.
- You will learn about social issues and develop an awareness of social responsibility.
- Volunteering in an organization that values diversity.
- You can make a difference for the LGBTI+ movement.
What you should consider:
Be aware that participants can be very emotional and intense in their conversations. If you are not mentally prepared to face this stress, now may not be the right time to volunteer.