Volunteer Presenter Job Description
Job Title: Presenter for the Parents and Teachers as Allies Education Presentation
Program.
Mission: NAMI Virginia works to promote recovery and improve the quality of life of
Virginians living with serious mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.
The Parents and Teachers as Allies presenter assists in our mission work by providing
community audiences (specifically, school professionals and families within the school
community) with an accurate and inspiring portray of living with a mental health condition
to improve awareness of recovery and the faces of mental illness. This presentation
focuses on bringing awareness and a better understanding of the early warning signs of
mental health conditions in children and adolescents and how best to intervene so that
youth with mental health treatment needs are linked with services. It also presents the
lived experience of mental illnesses and how schools can best communicate with families
about mental health related concerns.
Supervision and Support Plan: Volunteer will report primarily to their local NAMI
affiliate program coordinator. Volunteers are expected to be committed to the role in
terms of preparation and execution akin to paid employees. Timely and candid
communication is required as is respect and confidentiality for those we serve. Local
affiliate coordinators will provide administrative oversight, guidance and support and
constructive feedback. NAMI Virginia will be a secondary source of support providing
additional information, ongoing education, networking opportunities and administrative
support should your local coordinator be unavailable.
Outcomes/Goals: Completion of regular Parents and Teachers as Allies educational
presentations in the year following the training. This outcome includes preparation
activities, execution of the presentation, introducing participants to NAMI, connecting
them to helpful resources and conducting data entry. Additional goals of this volunteer
role include:
NAMI & Mental Health Ambassador – promoting NAMI and advocating in various
ways for mental health in your community and connecting program participants
with appropriate community referrals to help the individual.
Identify New Leaders – promoting upcoming trainings and encouraging participants
to give back, either as a presenter or in some other way through the local affiliate
or community.
Parents and Teachers as Allies Volunteer Presenter Job Description
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Responsibilities/Duties:
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Provide regular presentations in the year following your certification training.
Willing to adhere to the fidelity of the Parents and Teachers as Allies presentation
model which follows a structured format covering issues frequently faced by school
professionals, parents, and caregivers.
Maintain the confidentiality of audience members.
Work in coordination with the local NAMI affiliate and NAMI Virginia in offering the
presentations.
Spearhead, with the assistance of the local coordinator when possible, presentation
activities including preparation, execution and data entry.
Willing and capable to collaborate with a team including a young adult with a
mental health condition, a parent, and a teacher
Participate in continuing education throughout the years of your commitment
(conference calls, skill refreshers etc.)
Expected Hours of Service: In preparing for presentations, anticipate devoting 1 hour
weekly. Day and time of presentations depend and you will need to provide your
availability to the local affiliate.
Start and End Date: Presenters are able to begin this volunteer role after completing
the one day certification training. The volunteer obligation is met following the completion
of one year of regular presentations. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to stay
involved if so desired beyond the one year minimum.
Desired Abilities, Skills, and Experiences:
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Young adult living well with a diagnosed mental health condition; parent of a child
or youth with mental health needs or an adult who exhibited symptoms of a mental
health condition as a child; a school professional who would like to use their
experiences to support youth and families and educate their peers on the needs of
this population
Be at a point with your journey to have the time and ability to commit to one year
volunteer role and bring your full attention and compassion to the presentation.
Be at a point to be able to speak openly and honestly about your experiences to
others.
Be supportive of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
definition and components of Resiliency and Recovery.
Be comfortable speaking in front of a variety of audience, including school
professionals, parents, and those who may know you.
Be willing to adhere to the fidelity of the model and enter all data for presentations
in a timely manner.
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Required:
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All volunteer are required to maintain an active membership with NAMI during their
length of service.
Benefits:
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Volunteers will be provided training at no cost.
Volunteers will be provided course supplies at no cost.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to educate communities and give hope and
directions to individuals moving along their recovery journey with a mental health
condition.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to engage with peers for personal growth and
support.
Training/Orientation:
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Volunteers will need to attend a one day training provided by NAMI Virginia.
Volunteers will need to complete a three hour online orientation provided by NAMI
Virginia prior to attending the training.
Volunteers will need to complete any additional local training or orientation required
by their local NAMI affiliate program coordinator.
Next Steps:
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To be considered, submit an application to your local affiliate program coordinator.
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