Peers: Students Helping Students
Program funded by UMSU
Volunteer Application Form
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 4th, 2016, 4:00 pm
The Peers: Students Helping Students Program at the University of Manitoba began in 1987.
The program has grown steadily since that time, presently employing one student on a part-time
basis and between 20-35 volunteer Peers, all of whom are students themselves. The program’s
main office at 150 University Centre serves as a drop-in, referral, and administrative office.
Each Peer commits approximately six hours per week to the program in the following areas:
-
Training and updating their skills and knowledge
Operating the main office for support and referrals for students
Planning and participating in outreach and program promotion activities
Peers complete an intensive training program led by professionals. In the first term, Peers begin
with a mandatory training weekend in September and then continue with weekly meetings
throughout the year. Topics covered in training may include the following:
-
Active listening and empathic communication
Crisis intervention
Important student-related issues and topics
Marketing and promotion skills
Training topics may be given by programs or groups on or off campus with particular expertise
in these topics.
The Peers themselves are the program’s strength. Peers come from a variety of disciplines and
perspectives; each makes a unique contribution to the program. What Peers have in common is
a desire to learn, to listen, and to reach out actively and support other students.
Peers are an approachable resource for students who have questions, or need a supportive
listener regarding a personal problem. Peers make referrals to other campus or community
resources as appropriate. All services are confidential and free of charge.
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO PEERS AT 150 UNIVERSITY CENTRE OR THE
UMSU OFFICE AT 101 UNIVERSITY CENTRE
APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF PEERS: STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS VOLUNTEER
PART 1: PERSONAL INFORMATION
NAME: _________________________________ TELEPHONE: _(___)___________________
ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
FACULTY: ___________________________________________________________________
YEAR IN UNIVERSITY:  2nd
 3rd
 4th
Other:__________________________________
 ICM Student
 Graduate Student
E-MAIL: _____________________________________________________________________
SUMMER ADDRESS (if different than current address):
____________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMIC PLAN:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Expected year of graduation: ________________________
Degree(s) sought: ______________________
Number of credit hours completed by the end of Winter Term 2016: ________________
Number of credit hours planned for Fall 2016 – Winter 2017: ______________________
PART 2: ATTACH YOUR RESUME
PART 3: QUESTIONS (PLEASE ANSWER ON ADDITIONAL SHEET)
1. Why are you interested in becoming a Peer?
2. What skills would you most like to develop from your participation as a Peer?
3. Identify two of your weaknesses (i.e., bossy, sleepy, no time, etc.). If you were to become a
Peer, how would you deal with these?
4. Identify what you feel may be your greatest strength(s) to offer the Peers: Students Helping
Students Program (i.e., artistic, leadership, humorous, etc.). How have you used this strength in
the past?
5. In your opinion, what are the most important issues and topics related to maintaining healthy
lifestyles?
a) On this university campus?
b) Among your friends?
6. What do you do that demonstrates your personal commitment to trying to maintain optimal
health?
7. When a friend has a problem and you do not know what to say, what do you do?
8. What do you do when you have a problem?
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO PEERS AT 150 UNIVERSITY CENTRE OR THE
UMSU OFFICE AT 101 UNIVERSITY CENTRE
APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF PEERS: STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS VOLUNTEER
9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
10. Please make any additional comments you feel would be helpful for us to know about you.
11. Peers are required to commit approximately 6 hours a week to the Peers: SHS program.
Will you be able to make this commitment?

Yes
 No
12. How did you hear about the Peers: SHS volunteer recruitment?
PLEASE NOTE:
(A) Applications must possess a minimum Grade Point Average of 2.5 (Cumulative), and
must have taken a minimum of 18 credit hours prior to May 2016 at this University.
(B) Ensure you include the following in your application:
 Part 1: Personal Information
 Part 2: Attach your resume
 Part 3: Questions (including answers)
(C) References may be requested at a later stage in the application process
Required:
 The time commitment required from the Peers program can be quite intensive (6 hours per
week, beginning September 9th,). Checking this box indicates that I understand that if I am
selected to become a Peer, I will be expected to fulfill these time requirements.
 In addition to the weekly meetings, new Peers must attend the mandatory Orientation
Weekend on September 9th through 11th (exact times to be confirmed), and also be available
for a mandatory full-day Saturday training session in October (exact date to be determined).
Checking this box indicates that I will record these dates and attend both sessions.
Signature: _________________________
Date: _____________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Internal Office Use only: Received by: _______________________
Date: _____________________________
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED APPLICATION TO PEERS AT 150 UNIVERSITY CENTRE OR THE
UMSU OFFICE AT 101 UNIVERSITY CENTRE