2014-2015 RAP-Line Volunteer Application Packet
What is the RAP-Line?
The RAP-Line was established to provide a resource for students to receive peer support whenever they
need it. Volunteers are trained in listening skills and are educated about the resources available to the
Penn community. We are trained volunteer listeners, not professionals: the RAP-Line is not a crisis
hotline, but a peer support line. Our goal as listeners is to provide the callers with a warm, safe,
unbiased, and supportive environment that is conducive to self-help.
What is RAP-Line Online?
RAP-Line Online is another component of RAP-Line that provides all of the services described above via
the Internet instead of the phone. By accessing the RAP-Line Online site at http://www.upenn.edu/raponline students can write a letter to us about any issues. RAP-Line volunteers then respond to the letter
using the same guidelines and principles that they use during telephone conversations. Since many
people are more comfortable using written forms of communication to discuss their feelings, RAP-Line
Online provides a crucial link to the Penn community.
What is the history of the Line?
The RAP-Line was founded in the Spring of 1990 by Melissa Karz '92, Margery Jacobs '92, and Rachel
Miller '93, students who were committed to providing their peers with the support they required. The
RAP-Line continues to grow stronger each year, as we strive to enhance our services. In 1995, RAP-Line
began staying open seven nights a week, instead of just five. In 1996, we opened PennPeer, the
predecessor of RAP-Line Online.
Who supports the RAP-Line?
The RAP-Line is funded by the Student Activities Council, with support and guidance from Counseling
and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life (VPUL). Initial
funding was provided by the President's Office. There are many more offices and individuals who
continue to support the Line in a variety of ways.
How are volunteers trained?
Applicants who are accepted participate in an intensive training program. Training is intended to help
create an open and sharing environment, orient volunteers to issues the callers may be facing and the
resources available to them, help listeners to develop sensitivity to the way callers may be feeling, and
teach skills that will help volunteers be effective active listeners.
The training program begins with a twelve-hour training weekend (October 4th – 5th). Students then
attend weekly three-hour sessions throughout the fall semester every Monday from 7 until 10 PM.
Throughout training, the RAP-Line advisors and a variety of other specialists will present and discuss
issues encountered on the Line. In addition, role-plays are conducted in which the trainee practices
handling different types of situations. This is an integral aspect of training, for they help the trainee
become comfortable with possible scenarios. Trainees also receive a comprehensive training manual
that serves as an important resource throughout their time with the Line.
Basic Requirements
Volunteering for the RAP-Line is a significant commitment. As you consider applying to the Line, please
keep in mind the following expectations.
Application and Training:
1. Current Penn enrollment.
2. Submission of an application.
3. If selected: Participation in an individual interview, scheduled for the weekend of September 20th-21st
*4. Attendance at a weekend training program on October 4th – 5th .
*5. Attendance at weekly training sessions every Monday during the Fall Semester from 7:00-10:00 PM
beginning on October 6th.
6. Successful completion of an exit interview during reading days.
7. Signature of a pledge to comply with RAP-Line policies.
*Please note attendance at these events is mandatory. If you have a personal conflict, please indicate it in
the application and be sure to bring it up during your individual interview.
Staffing the Line:
1. Staffing the Line two weekdays a month from 9:00pm to 1:00am.
2. Staffing the Line two weekend nights a semester from 9:00pm to 1:00am.
3. Responding to RAP-Line Online letters during your shifts.
4. Attendance at bimonthly meetings.
5. After staffing the previous week, attendance at debriefings at staff meetings.
6. Attendance at yearly refresher and in-service trainings.
Fundamental Policies:
 Volunteers are encouraged to remain anonymous, and should only reveal membership with
discretion. Under no circumstances should volunteers reveal dates they staff, room location, other
volunteers’ involvement with RAP-Line, or any other confidential information. We strongly
advise you to refrain from informing other people that you are even applying to RAP-Line,
as this could create an uncomfortable situation if you are accepted.
 The identities of all callers to the Line and users of RAP-Line Online must remain anonymous and
confidential. Similarly, the content of all calls and letter must remain completely confidential.
Confidentiality is of utmost importance, as it is the key to the safe outlet that RAP-Line was
created to provide.
 Volunteers must not, under any circumstances, provide advice to the callers/Online users. RAPLine staff must adhere to their role as active listeners by helping their peers to clarify their needs,
providing support, and suggesting other resources that they could utilize. The boundary between
advice and support will be discussed and practiced in detail during volunteer training. Listeners
will never intervene outside the call itself.
 Any volunteer who exceeds the scope of the RAP-Line program will be referred to the board. (S)he
may be asked to resign from the program.
Volunteer Application
Please respond to all of the following prompts, adding or removing space as needed.
The application deadline is 11:59pm on Friday, September 12th. Early applications
are strongly encouraged. Please email your completed application to
Training.RAPLine@gmail.com, and we will confirm receipt of your application.
Name:
School/Year:
Mobile Number:
E-mail:
Why are you interested in working on the RAP-Line? How do you believe this volunteer
activity aligns with your career, extracurricular, or personal interests?
What personal qualities do you have that you feel will help you to be an effective and
empathetic RAP-Line member?
What unique qualities or experiences do you have that would contribute specifically to
RAP-Line’s ability to serve a diverse student body? (e.g. unique, important, and/or
challenging factors in your background, such as socioeconomic status, culture, race,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, and life or work experiences).
Please list your anticipated extracurricular activities and involvements. Please also list the
approximate time commitment each activity and involvement requires.
Are you able to commit to a training orientation the weekend of October 4th and 5th as well
as weekly training sessions from 7pm – 10pm on Monday thereafter (though often ending
earlier than 10pm) until December 1st? If you anticipate any time conflicts, please explain
here.
Are you willing to staff a minimum of two nights a month from 9pm-1am during the spring
and following semesters?
Individual interviews will be conducted on September 20th and 21st. If you are selected for
an interview, the RAPLine staff will contact you with a time for your interview during those
days. Please list times during which you are UNAVAILABLE during this weekend.
Saturday September 20th:
Sunday September 21st:
(Optional) If you have ever participated in a similar activity before, how do you feel it will
assist you in participating on the RAP-Line? What might be the same? What might be
different?
(Optional) If there is anything else you would like to tell us about yourself that you have not
had the chance to address elsewhere in this application, please do so here.
Thank you for your interest in RAP-Line. If you have further questions, concerns, or suggestions,
please do not hesitate to email us at Training.RAPLine@gmail.com