become
a youth
facilitator
Earn community service hours and make a difference in the lives of fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ youth for the better.
the Role of a facilitator
The facilitator is there to support and encourage genuine conversation, uphold the comfort and safety guidelines within the group, and be a liaison between the GUTF team and the supportive group chat.
Training to become a facilitator allows you to acquire communication and leadership skills that you will use your whole life.
The volunteer position is a great addition to resumes and college applications.
Each Facilitator earns up to 5 hrs of community service per month, provided all the duties listed below are fulfilled. The very active ones can even earn additional hours.
A role of Senior Facilitator may be offered to the most-engaged facilitators (see more on that below).
“Through my work with GUTF and my current job, I wanted to work in a position where I assisted others in becoming the best versions of themselves, specifically in the work environment. Currently, I’m majoring in communications, and I believe that working with GUTF as a facilitator and participating in Youth Advisory Board meetings have helped me conclude that I’ve chosen the best major for me. GUTF has helped expand my desire to help people grow and overcome even the most difficult struggles.”
Frequently Asked Questions
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You first need to spend a minimum of 2 weeks as an engaged and respectful participant in your group. After 2 weeks, you will be asked if you’re interested in being trained to become a facilitator. If yes, we’ll guide you through the steps. Remember, If you prefer to stay a participant, it is completely up to you! We want you to do what is best for you. If you do not receive the message, please email groups@giveusthefloor.org
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The steps of training are:
1- You and one of your guardians need to sign an agreement online (if over 18, guardian's signature is not needed).
2- Online training: 10 Training video modules that you can watch at your own pace. You will be required to answer a mini-quiz at the end of each module and a longer quiz at the end. The training must be completed within 2 weeks and you need to pass the Final Quiz with 100% (You can take it as often as needed), in order to get to the next step.
The training will give you the tools you need to effectively facilitate a supportive group chat, including:
How to navigate difficult conversations
How to enforce Give Us The Floor's Community Rules
How to spot a teen in crisis
Tips for understanding your own leadership abilities
Tips for self-care
3- The next step will be for you to participate in a “mock chat” group for two weeks: Mock chats groups are replicas of supportive group chats with other facilitators in training and at least one Adult Advisor. The goal of the mock chat is for you to apply what you learned in the training to real-life scenarios: you will practice different scenarios that can occur when you will be a facilitator. It will help you become more comfortable in your role as a facilitator.
4- You will have a video meeting with one Adult Advisor who will determine if you are ready to facilitate or co-facilitate a group or if you need to perfect your training.
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There are so many great reasons to become a Supportive Group Chat Facilitator! Here are just some of the reasons to participate:
Receive up to 5 hrs of community service per month, provided all duties are fulfilled.
Master communication and leadership skills that you will use your whole life.
Highlight your facilitator volunteer work on resumes and college applications.
Make a difference in the lives of your peers!
If you graduate to the role of Senior Facilitator, you can go on to earn additional community service hours + a stipend of $45 per month.
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Supportive Group Chat Facilitators commit to 8 weeks minimum to facilitate a group, a minimum of 6 days a week.
Additional requirements:
Fill out the monthly surveys that are sent to you
Fill out the surveys you receive after being a facilitator for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months
Respond to the adult team within 24 hours unless you previously notified them you would be on a break
Report any inappropriate behavior within 3 hours of you seeing it
Report any members who have left the group within 48 hours
If unable to facilitate the chat and need a break, it is required to notify the adult advisor team at least 2 weeks ahead. The community service hours will be adjusted prorate to your time off. It can’t be more than 2 weeks in a row every 6 months.
If you'd like to stop facilitating a group, a minimum of 2-week notice is required
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Do not worry! You will be trained to deal with these exact kinds of issues. And any time something sensitive arises, you are required to share it with the Adult Advisor team so you're not alone in dealing with it and they can take it over if the situation can potentially be harmful to a participant! They are there for you.
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A Senior Facilitator helps out in supportive group chats as an additional resource. Senior facilitators must go through facilitator training and show they are active and responsible facilitators in order to be eligible for the role. A Senior Facilitator earns 2 additional hours of community service and a stipend of $45 per month.
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A Supportive Group Chat Facilitator will qualify for promotion to Senior Facilitator after being an active and responsible facilitator and abiding by all the commitments of a facilitator for a minimum of 3 months. The decision is at the discretion of the Adult Advisor team.
“The main thing GUTF helped me with is leadership roles. Having the ability to confront an issue without anyone feeling unheard or attacked. I’m currently training in leadership at work, and it’s so much easier with my previous volunteer work with GUTF. My communication skills regarding effective comprehension with my peers are another thing I learned during my time with GUTF. The experience helped me grow empathy and understanding for those around me.”