OOC
VOLUNTEER
O RIENTATION
P ACKAGE
Your guide to volunteering for the Queer and Trans Centre at
Simon Fraser University
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Welcome to Out on Campus
Welcome to Out On Campus, Simon Fraser University’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender centre. Out on Campus is a welcoming and safe space for people of all
sexual orientations and genders.
Homophobia and genderphobia affect everyone. Therefore, no matter what your sexual
orientation or gender identity, everyone is welcome at OOC. We welcome our nonqueer friends to join us in fighting for the right to love whom, and how, we want.
We are a department of the Simon Fraser Student Society and a volunteer- run
organization.
Our Mission Statement
Out on Campus is students, staff, faculty, allies, and alumni
working together to reduce discrimination and increase
awareness on campus and in society about all sexual orientations
and genders. We are committed to resisting all forms of
discriminations and oppressions.
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Contact Us
Out on Campus' location is above the bus stop, between the women's centre and the
library (TC 314N). The centre is generally staffed between 10 am and 4pm, Monday
through Thursday. If you would like to meet outside those times, or meet at the nearby
coffee shop to talk or walk over together, just drop us a line or phone:
Out on Campus, c/o the
Simon Fraser Student Society
8888 University Drive, Burnaby
British Columbia, Canada
V5A 1S6
www.outoncampus.ca
ooc-info@sfu.ca
Phone: 778-782-5933
Fax: 778-782-5843 c/o the SFSS
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OOC Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities
(Adapted from SFPIRG’s Volunteer Guide in 2002)
Volunteers are entitled to:
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Funds for projects and programs that are approved by the collective
A safe space, as outlined by the safe space and inclusion policies
Training from OOC
Use of the resources in the OOC office and lounge (computers, phone, art
supplies, paper, etc)
Be treated in a fair and respectful manner
Be appreciated and thanked for their work
Attend collective meetings and address the collective with any questions or
concerns
Volunteer responsibilities include:
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Aligning OOC work with the OOC mission statement
Ensuring that the safe space and inclusion policies of OOC are followed
Agreeing to use consensus decision making
Keeping accurate minutes of decisions made in meetings
Treating others in a fair and respectful manner
Consulting other subcommittee or collective volunteers at a meeting before
proceeding to take action in the name of the OOC
Giving Feedback:
All volunteers have the right to give feedback about events, programs, OOC policy,
OOC related interpersonal issues, to other members of the collective as well as staff.
We structure individual and collective evaluations of events and the work done each
semester. You can also put an anonymous note in our suggestion box, add an item to
the collective agenda, and/or talk to the staff person. If there is a conflict with the staff
person, please try to approach the Coordinator about it in person (not by e-mail). If
the conflict can not be resolved, it can then go back to collective to be dealt with
appropriately. The Coordinator is ultimately an employee of the SFSS, and the
Internal Relations Officer is the Board member responsible for staff relations.
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Some OOC History
For a detailed history of Out on Campus from 1960 to 1996, please go to our website at
www.outoncampus.ca.
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The first publicized meeting of the SFU Gay Student Union was in 1972.
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The group organized discussion groups, had regular meetings in different locations,
and published articles about being gay in the Peak (mostly anonymously).
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In 1985 the GSU changed its name to the Gay and Lesbian Association of SFU
(GALA
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In 1988 GALA had part time access to an office space, published a newsletter, had
gay men’s and dyke discussion groups, organized events and dances, and brought
public speakers to SFU.
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By 1991 GALA advertised itself as a “lesbian, gay and bisexual group”.
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Out on Campus was created in 1994 as the “bisexual, lesbian, and gay student
collective”, with a mandate to lobby for permanent space.
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The SFSS granted Out on Campus $5000 in 1996, and OOC opened “the Rainbow
Room” the same year, with a new logo that says we are the “lesbian, bisexual, gay
and transgender collective”.
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OOC’s first part time staff was hired in 1999.
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In 2002 OOC changed its full name to “the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender
centre” and its volunteers continue to operate a lounge and office almost full time
during the day, with evening programs as well.
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In 2003, the staff position became permanent part time, and in 2005 a second
administrative support person was hired.
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The volunteer base continues to grow, with over 100 people volunteering each year.
We continue to be a department of the Simon Fraser Student Society, with funding from
the student population of SFU.
Out on Campus’ Structure
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Who we serve:
The SFU community of students, staff, and faculty.
Who makes up OOC?
Subcommittee volunteers help organize short or long term projects. There is no
obligation to be a collective member, although subcommittee work is approved by collective.
Examples of subcommittees: yoga, Pride committee, Queer Awareness Week, the library
team, etc.
Office volunteers keep Out on Campus open by signing up for shifts of 1 (or more)
hours a week. They provide peer support, answer questions about resources, and welcome
new people. Training is provided.
Collective members meet once a week to plan the budget, activities, and overall
direction of Out on Campus.
There are two Paid Staff at Out On Campus. The
Office and Volunteer Coordinator and the Email and
Web Assistant are both unionized positions with the
SFSS at 28 hours a week and five hours a week
respectively.
The Coordinator divides their time between peer
support, programming, administration, liaison work,
volunteer recruitment and volunteer support. The
Email and Web Assistant maintains the email lists,
circulates meeting minutes, posts a weekly event
calendar, and updates the website.
Display board QAW 2004
Two SFSS Liaisons are nominated by the
collective to represent Out on Campus within the Simon Fraser Student Society. There is a
Forum representative, and an Advocacy Representative.
These categories are not meant to limit people, but to acknowledge the different time
commitments and types of work that people do at OOC.
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Inside the OOC Lounge
Because we have a place to socialize and organize, we can create a strong queer
presence on campus through our programs and educational activities. The gathering
space is equally important to how we are able to form a community and support each
other at Out on Campus. We run a space where people can look for academic
resources, personal resources, find social interaction, and feel comfortable to be
themselves. The Out on Campus lounge is open between 10 am and 4pm as often as
possible.
Inside the lounge, there’s...
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A microwave, fridge and kitchen appliances
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Condoms and safer sex supplies
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Couches and a welcoming environment to hang out in
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A resource library with hundreds of books, DVDs, brochures, and more
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A public phone, computers, bulletin board with job + housing ads, posters
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A suggestion box for OOC programs and a library suggestions box
When Someone Drops In…
When someone enters OOC, the trained office volunteer on duty greets them and
answers whatever questions they may have. The volunteer may give a tour, pointing out
things such as our resource library, kitchen area, etc, or show the new student how to
join the email list, get brochures, volunteer for events, and inform them of what events
are upcoming. These duties are explained more fully in the “office volunteer” job
description.
If the Lounge is Closed…
You can still get information 24 hours a day. Outside the lounge is a glassed in room that’s
always open, with free pamphlets, newspapers, and brochures with varied information:
community resources, safe sex practices, abuse in same sex relationships, transgendered
support, and health support, and more.
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Goals of the volunteer position: Out on Campus tries to create and maintain a safe
and respectful space for queer people on campus. As a volunteer-run space, office
volunteers are crucial to keeping OOC open six hours a day if possible. By keeping
office hours and working to maintain a healthy environment, office volunteers facilitate
people socializing, talking about queer issues, organizing events and more. Having a
physical space in which to gather enables OOC to organize events that promote political
awareness and education about queer issues for the SFU community.
Responsibilities:
a) Open the room and put the sign outside;
b) Get up if there is someone at the door, introduce yourself, offer a tour or assistance
if they haven’t been here before, etc.;
c) Welcome new people and remain open and approachable;
d) Help people find resources in the library;
e) Answer phones and questions, and record messages;
f) Check the to-do list on the table by the phone from the volunteer coordinator;
g) Actively work to ensure the emotional climate of Out on Campus is welcoming and
anti-discriminatory while you are working;
h) Be easily identifiable in the space as a volunteer;
i) Office volunteers should know who the peer support team members are, and how to
connect someone with the team. In a crisis, the office volunteer (if they are not part
of the peer support team) should ask for help from the Counselling Centre staff (this
is covered in training);
j) You can acquaint people about our upcoming events and/or what we do;
k) You can hang out on the couches, do your homework, talk, develop a project with
OOC while you’re doing office hours.
Out on Campus is open to the community if a volunteer is prepared to work in this
capacity. The OOC sign is put outside to indicate this.
You have the option of keeping the door shut if you want to be in here alone.
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Training: One hour volunteer orientation. Contact the volunteer coordinator to arrange
a convenient time. Ongoing training on more specific topics, like conflict resolution and
facilitation skills, for all OOC volunteers is provided.
Requirements: Please sign up for a one hour spot once a week (or once every two
weeks). If you cannot make your shift, it is a courtesy to the volunteer coordinator that
you phone to cancel.
Another requirement of being an office volunteer is maintaining a ‘safe space’ in Out on
Campus. This is a public space. As an organization we have agreed that the room will
be free of racist, sexist, homophobic and any other disrespectful or offensive remarks
and behaviour. What is graphically sexual to one person may not be to the next- so
please be aware of the people around you. At any time you, or anyone else, may call
out ‘vibes!!’ just like in a meeting to re-direct the conversation. While volunteering, we
ask you to try to avoid having conversations about topics where everyone isn’t welcome
(or can’t) participate.
Benefits: One of OOC’s priorities is that there is a safe space on campus for queers to
meet, study, hang out. So by volunteering, you can have: Fame! Glory! Responsibility!
and a great chance to meet new people and socialize.
Restrictions: Obviously, during your shift you can leave to go to the bathroom, grab
lunch, etc, but we ask that you ask someone to take over the responsibilities until you
come back. Do not leave the room open and empty, and you should never leave
someone that is not trained as an office volunteer in the room alone- this is in case
someone else comes in needing support or a referral.
Also, Out on Campus does not expect any of it’s volunteers deal with or diffuse
threatening or violent situations. If you think your safety is being threatened, please call
Traffic and Security at #24500 (emergency #s on the telephone).
Accountability: The office volunteers are responsible to the collective, and to their
moral conscience that they’re doing their best to make people feel welcome. The office
coordinator should check in with the office volunteer at least once a week (or vice
versa).
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Answering the phone:
“Hello, Out on Campus”.
If you don’t know the appropriate pronoun for the person the caller wishes to reach, or
you know that person by a different pronoun, don’t argue on the phone because you
don’t know their relationship. Simply use their name in place of a pronoun, or say “they’ll
be right with you.”
If the caller wishes to speak to the coordinator and they are not here, you can offer to
help them: “Is there anything I can help you with?” Perhaps they are looking for a
referral, or to know when the next meeting is.
Leaving messages
1. Communications Book: record phone messages, messages to the collective,
questions that drop ins ask that you can’t answer, messages for the coordinator. Store
the book by the phone.
2. Contact the person using the current volunteer message system. Please date and
label all messages. Messages for the Coordinator may be left in his “IN” box.
3. On the phone: when calling volunteers or library users, do not leave a queer
message on their answering machine or with roommates unless the person has
indicated it’s okay. Say, “This is (your name) from SFU. I’ll call back later.” If we get into
lengthy phone tag, sometimes I’ll add “...and I’m calling about overdue library books.”
Checking messages:
If the red light on the phone is blinking, it means there are messages. The instructions
are in the SFU phone book, located with other phone books under the phone.
1. press 83.
2. enter our password, 696969.
3. press “P” to play messages, “3” to delete and “5” to save.
Record messages in the communications book, or leave a note for the appropriate
person on the message board.
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Key Access
General access: After participating in a volunteer orientation you will be given the
punch code for the OOC door, it is changed every semester for security purposes. You
must maintain a minimum of one office hour per week to be given access to the punch
code. Any exceptions can be brought to collective for approval.
Fax Machine:
For Out on Campus use only, the SFSS General Office has a fax. Dial 9 to escape SFU,
then the area code and number.
Photocopying:
For occasional use and for less than 15 copies, we can use PIRG. Mark how many
copies you make on the wall behind the copier.
The Copy Centre, a unionized printshop, is a another department of the SFSS. We do
our printing here unless there is a service they do not provide. We receive a 20%
discount for being a department. When paying, say it is a “payout for Out on Campus”.
This tells them that we receive a discount, and there’s some paperwork:
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On the payout sheet, we use 715/27, or 720/27 as the line item to pay
for the copies. Sign the back of the receipts with your initials.
Important: bring back an extra receipt and put it in the budget
communications folder, or write how much you spent in the
communications book (and on what) as Copy Centre does not bill us
directly.
Email Lists
To be subscribed or unsubscribe to an e-mail list, please email ooc-info@sfu.ca
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out-on-campus@sfu.ca
-over 300 members
-anyone can post LGBTQ related materials: jobs, housing, news articles, social events,
conferences, research needs
-email coordinator maintains safe space policies by checking that posts reflect OOC’s
guidelines, but does not pre-screen or moderate posts.
-all info is found on the imac under “email coordination”
out-on-campus-news@sfu.ca
-over 100 members
- a mini version of out-on-campus@sfu.ca.
-two messages a week: calendar of events and collective minutes.
-members cannot post, only the email coordinator and office coordinator.
ooc-collective@sfu.ca:
This email list changes every semester with who a current collective member. Very
useful for requesting volunteers for tabling, keeping the centre open, etc, asking for
each other’s contact info, as this is a trained or generally more involved group of Out on
Campus people. If messages are only intended for people that one recognizes in
person, it is recommended to send to ooc-collective@sfu.ca. approx 20 people. owned
by the coodinator.
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Projects and Programs: Fall 2005
Office Volunteers: Keep the office open Monday to Friday based on your availability,
and provide an important service on campus.
Library Committee: Maintain, update, and promote the library of almost 900 titles and
growing!
Discussion Groups: Regular discussions on a variety of topics. To be a facilitator/cofacilitator, or to suggest possible topics please e-mail ooc-info@sfu.ca.
Collective: Meets weekly to coordinate Out on Campus’ direction and budget. Drop
into any meeting, no commitment or experience is necessary. Facilitation training is
provided.
Peer Support Team: Anyone can e-mail ooc@sfss.ca to ask trained volunteers
questions about queer/gender issues.
After Hours Café Committee: After Hours is a weeknight café. Email ooc@sfss.ca to
plan its launch or to help out week to week.
Queer Awareness Week: We start planning in December for a week of nonstop queer
programming including workshops, movies, a cabaret, and more for March 2010.
Women’s/Men’s/Trans Drop Ins: Monthly or bi-weekly drop ins at Out On Campus
require laid back facilitators or event coordinators.
Monthly Volunteer Meetings: A chance to meet other committee members and to
share stories.
Volunteer Orientations: Sign up by e-mailing ooc-info@sfu.ca
Website Working Group: The website is “under construction”, and needs a complete
over haul!
Have an idea? Bring it to a collective meeting for support
and funding.
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Past Events at Out on Campus
Educational Events
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Each Semester
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Open House
Clubs Days
Book buy (at Little Sisters)
Volunteer appreciation party
Volunteer orientations
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Queer Awareness Week- Spring
Coming Out Week 2002
Discussion groups: ethnoculturally
diverse relationships, coming out,
identity and boxes
Peer Support Team
8-week coming out discussion
Gender 101 workshop (transgender
educator and video)
Facilitated Sex Talk discussion
Fun/educational workshops (i.e. bike
repair, ice skating lessons etc).
trans 101 panel
Sex/sexuality/oppression workshop
Ally workshops
Culturally specific events (i.e.
homophobia in communities etc)
Social Events
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Sleep over parties @ OOC
Movie Nights, Clubbing
Women’s/Men’s Group events
After Hours cafe
Gender Bender Day
Star Trek day
Movie screenings
The AIDS walk
Take Back the Night march
Camping
Secret Friends
Pride- lots of events- Summer
Games night, poker night
Parties: hallowqueen, brunches
Monday breakfast club
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Media
Sponsorship
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Q- zine (production, editing etc)
Gathering resources and pamphlets
for library, or making displays
Writing for the Peak
CJSF radio programming- for Pride
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Sponsorship of “Roast the
Liberals” demo (QUeers Against
Kapitalism)
Delegates to queer conferences
OOC sponsorship of No-Sweat
University campaign
Out on Screen film sponsorship
Training
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Consensus Training
Health, Career, Counseling Centre
lunch meet+greet
Listening Skills/ Peer Support Skills
workshop
Volunteer Management Training
Liasing and Networking
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Activism
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Petition signing about same sex
marriages
Attending city council meetings about
safe transit; against book banning
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Monthly Rotunda meetings
Pride UBC – informally
Advocacy Representative on
SFSS committee
Forum Representative to SFSS
board
Coordinator attends monthly
CUPE 2396 Bargaining Unit
meeting and staff meetings
Social lunches and soccer game
with Ambassadors For Jesus
Joint events with P!RG & the
Women’s Centre
Training, workshops and lunch
with Health, Career and
Counseling Centre
Meeting the Queer Faculty
Network
Displays in the Bennett library
Presentations to librarians about
Rotunda libraries
Updated: August 2004
For a full list of events, please see the
event log books. Suggestions are
welcome for new events.
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Roles at Out on Campus
Administrative Tasks
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Volunteers
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Attend & participate at collective meetings (facilitate, minutetaker,
vibes, etc)
Table at clubs days and student services fair
Perform office hours: put out sign, answer phone, greet people,
answer questions, give referrals, water plants
Buy office supplies as needed
 Track receipts for subcommittees
 Budget coordinator is responsible for Excel spreadsheet
 Librarians maintain database
 Go on bookbuy
 Encourage each other to return books—by phone/email
Coordinator
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Maintain the new PC computer
Sign up new members to email lists
Make posters/ ads to advertise OOC for SFU handbook,
newspapers, etc
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Organize agenda for collective with facilitator
Keep record of minutes + events
Organize volunteers for clubs days & student services fair
Office hour scheduling (and perform duties if no one is available)
Keep OOC membership records up to date
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Keep posters + bulletin board up to date in glass area
Clean and maintain lounge (including purchasing materials)
Answer emails to out-on-campus-info, phone calls
Deal with key access
Write memos re vacations/time off/ sick etc to Internal Relations
Officer (SFSS board)
 Write annual budget proposal and OOC report for SFSS
 Supervise OOC’s budget coordinator, and After Hour’s budget
 Gather and photocopy pamphlets
 Coordinate date for bookbuy
 Responsible for checking in with libarians re database
 Update handbook ads, lgbt directory, sfu volunteer centre
webpostings, etc
 Chase down library books (if library committee doesn’t)
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Programs
Volunteers
Coordinator
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Use consensus, work within OOC’s mandate
Initiate subcommittees./projects
Apply to collective for funding and support
Do the program!
Make/buy advertising for that specific program
 Ensure committees are working within OOC’s mandate, have
resources, and are connected to support, and use consensus
 Make sure projects are evaluated; help evaluate
 Plan volunteer thank you parties
 Co-plan retreat annually
 Ensure OOC is advertised
Support, Referrals, Education
Volunteers
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Bring LGBTQ resources to Out on Campus
Attend training/ educational opportunities
Inform coordinator about peer support happenings
Do peer support
Help other volunteers by training each other on procedures for
clubs days, subcommittee work, etc
 Can submit proposals to request funding to attend
workshops/conferences on queer education, counseling skills, etc
etc
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Liaison Work
Volunteers
Coordinator
 Can set up and maintain any number of on-campus networks:
SFPIRG, Women’s Centre, the SFSS, Health Career +
Counseling, student clubs, Peak, CJSF, the Queer Staff + Faculty
Network, etc. unlimited potential.
 Volunteers responsible for networks with other queer campus
groups in Vancouver/Canada
 Liaison work is usually about event or program-specific things,
which is short term in nature
 HCCC cooperation is not event based, usually- more about
education/training for their staff about queer issues
 SFSS Forum representative on behalf of OOC’s collective
 SFSS Advocacy representative on behalf of OOC’s collective
 Work with Member Services Officer as a collective to ensure SFSS
knows what we’re up to
 Network with on campus and external organizations including
queer faculty network
 Set up displays in library
 Presentations to student groups at Harbour Centre, HCCC etc
 Perhaps organize a meet n greet event for queer faculty network +
OOC
 Coordinator responsible for maintaining longer-term networks on
campus
 Responsible for maintaining good contacts in Vancouver
 Attends monthly Rotunda meetings (representatives from SFSS
included)
 Coordinator not responsible for intercampus queer student
organizing
 Biweekly staff meeting
 Monthly union meeting
 Works closely with Women’s Centre (another department of SFSS)
especially
 Rotunda meetings (1x month, one hour each)
 Attend staff meetings (2x month, 1 hour each)
 Attend union meetings (1x month, 2 hours each)
 Work on hiring committees (as needed)
 Work at SFSS pancake breakfast (1x a semester)
 Book library display case
 Health, Career, Counseling Centre: sporadic dialogue/
wkshop/trainings
 Queer Faculty Network communication
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Out on Campus’ Inclusion Policy (updated 2002)
OOC is committed to provide a safe and welcoming space for all people regardless of age,
sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, ability, class, HIV status, appearance,
physical or mental illness, language, degree of ‘outness’, etc. Therefore we encourage people
to recognize and work to eliminate oppression within the organization and within the entire
SFU campus. We also identify the importance of allowing groups, including groups oppressed
within our own community, to identify their own needs and spaces within the Centre.
Commitment to inclusion must also include education and discussion around these issues, so
Out on Campus provides workshops, discussions and literature so that we as individuals and
as an organization can reflect on our own prejudices, privileges and experiences with
oppression. In order to maintain an office and lounge environment that feels safe and
welcoming to all who wish to contribute to or access the resources, we ask that people check
to see that their behaviour does not make other people feel uncomfortable in OOC. Office
volunteers may point out when the ‘vibe’ at Out on Campus becomes non-inclusive and
possibly offensive to others.
I have read and understood the Inclusion Policy. While I volunteer in the Out on
Campus space, I will ensure that I make the room a safe space for others through my
behaviour.
Date. _______________________ Print Name: _______________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________
Confidentiality Policy (1996)
Confidentiality is an important part of keeping OOC as a safe space for all of its members. Not
everyone can or chooses to be out to friends, family members, coworkers and bosses,
classmates and professors. It is therefore important that all names, telephone numbers and
addresses be kept confidential. Maintaining confidentiality may also mean that we do not
leave detailed messages on answering machines unless directed to do so, not disclosing
names when discussing meetings or events within the Centre, and not publicly identifying
members in any way. Some people are obviously comfortable with being out in public, but it is
important to assume that everyone wishes to have confidentiality (unless otherwise
instructed) so that we as an organization do not jeopardize the safety of any of our members.
Safety
Unfortunately, safety issues occasionally arise for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered
people, or people perceived to be LGTB, on campus. While you are in Out on Campus
and you feel your safety, or the safety of others in the Centre is being threatened, call
Campus Security. We do not expect volunteers to deal with or diffuse violent situations.
Office volunteers will receive a training workshop around peer support and identifying
when peer support has escalated into a crisis situation that requires professional support.
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The Health, Counseling, and Career Centre is equipped to travel to Out on Campus to
lend support if this mutually agreed upon with the person in crisis.
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