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The Mpowerment Project Core Group is a group of 10-20 volunteers who are tasked with planning and executing social events, outreach activities and campaigns in Vancouver’s gay community.  The Core Group sets the direction for the Mpowerment Project, a community-building and health promotion program run by and for young gay/bi guys.

Time Commitment: 

• 2-hour weekly Core Group meetings (Tuesday, 6-8pm)
• 2 hours per week from home or the YouthCO office
• More time may be required leading up to special events and projects

Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the rest of the Core Group, analyze the problems and dilemmas that young gay/bi guys face when it comes to sexual health and wellness
• Strategize how to address those problems through social events, activities, social media campaigns and/or published materials
• Explore and implement solutions to these problems using consensus decision-making
• Analyze if the strategies and activities were successful and make recommendations for the future

Skills & Experience:

• Be a self-identified gay/bi/trans guy under the age of 29.

The main role of the Administrative Assistant(s) will be to run YouthCO’s front reception area on days when the Finance Coordinator is not in the office.  The assistant(s) will be the welcoming face of the organization and must have strong organizational and people skills.

Time Commitment:

• 7 Hours (10am-5pm) on Monday, Wednesday or Friday (Volunteer must be able to work a whole 7-hour shift and is welcome to work more than one of these days)

Responsibilities: 

• Carry out administrative routines and procedures for reception, mail, fax, data entry, information gathering and distribution, and office support for staff;
• Provide a welcoming environment for clients, volunteers and members, ensuring that they have prompt access to all programs and services in a friendly and professional manner;
• Act as primary lead in answering telephone and appropriately directing calls, visits and inquiries.

Skills & Experience:

• Advanced organizational and verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced desktop computer skills, including Word, Excel, Access, Outlook and keyboarding skills of at least 50 WPM.
• Ability to provide basic technical support to staff.
• Demonstrated professional judgement with confidential information.
• Comfort and sensitivity when working with youth from various communities and backgrounds.
• Ability to work both independently and in cooperation with others within a consensus-based framework.

The Social Media Assistant – Brunch with Benefits is responsible for growing and managing the Brunch with Benefits online brand and social media community, specifically on Facebook and Twitter (via Hootsuite) and through blogging on WordPress.

This position is classified as a VOLUNTEER INTERN, meaning that volunteers must apply for the position and the successful candidate must commit to a 10-month term.

Time Commitment: 

• 2-hour monthly Fund Development Committee meeting (Evening)
• Regular and continuous interaction with the Brunch with Benefits social media community
• More time may be required leading up to Brunch with Benefits (End of November)

Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the Fund Development Committee, develop and execute a 2012 social media strategy for Brunch with Benefits.
• Write and pre-program Facebook posts, Tweets and blog entries.  Respond to and interact with YouthCO’s online community.

Skills & Experience:

• Knowledge of local restaurants, a passion for food, and the ability to write about both.
• Experience with Facebook fan page administration is an asset.  Experience with Hootsuite is an asset.
• General understanding of the ideas behind social media, and how to apply them YouthCO’s cause.

The Outreach Core Group is an autonomous group of 10-20 volunteers who are tasked with planning and executing outreach activities and campaigns in the mainstream community.

Time Commitment: 

• 2-hour monthly Core Group meeting (Evening)
• 2 hours per week from home or the YouthCO office
• More time may be required leading up to special events and projects

Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the rest of the Core Group, analyze the problems and dilemmas that youth face when it comes to sexual health and wellness
• Strategize how to address those problems through outreach activities, social media campaigns and/or published materials
• Explore and implement solutions to these problems using consensus decision-making
• Analyze if the strategies and activities were successful and make recommendations for the future

Skills & Experience:

• Be a youth between the ages of 15 and 29

The Research Committee’s role is to grow YouthCO’s relationships within the research community; seek out opportunities for research and evaluation to be integrated into YouthCO’s operations; and make new research findings accessible and interesting to young people.

This position is classified as a VOLUNTEER INTERN, meaning that volunteers must apply for the position and the successful candidate must commit to a 6-month term.

Time Commitment: 

• 2-hour monthly Research Committee meeting (Evening)
• 4 hours per week from home and/or the YouthCO office

Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the committee, develop and execute a 2012 research strategy for YouthCO
• Track new developments in HIV & Hep C science that apply to YouthCO’s work
• Seek out opportunities for relationship-building and cooperation in community-based research
• Interpret and frame new scientific developments to make them interesting for youth

Skills & Experience:

• Interest in scientific and/or social scientific research
• Academic background in public health, health sciences or social sciences is an asset
• Skill in writing research papers, blogs or articles is an asset

The Fund Development Assistants (3 positions) are responsible for learning about and contributing to YouthCO’s fund development program, with the understanding that they will take over management of the program in 1 year’s time.  This is AMAZING work experience that you won’t get anywhere else!

Because of the importance of the work and the amount of training that is necessary, FD Assistants must be self-starters, extremely committed, and available for the long term.

This position is classified as a VOLUNTEER INTERN, meaning that volunteers must apply for the position and the successful candidate must commit to a minimum 1-year term.

Time Commitment: 

• 2-hour monthly Fund Development Committee meeting (EVENING)
• 4 hours per week from home or the YouthCO office
• More time may be required leading up to special events and campaigns.

Responsibilities: 

• In collaboration with the Fund Development Committee, set strategies and goals to manage and expand YouthCO’s individual donor program, special events, and corporate sponsorship initiatives
• Receive training on all program systems and procedures
• Bring in new revenue for YouthCO

Skills & Experience:

• Education and/or volunteer or work experience in fundraising, communications, marketing, sales, or event planning.
• Experience with social media management, database management (MS Access, Raiser’s Edge, eTapestry, etc) and donor relations are considered assets.
• Experience working in the social profit industry is an asset.
• Experience living, volunteering or working in one of the following is required: HIV/AIDS movement; social justice / activism; youth advocacy; LGBTQ community; Aboriginal community.

The Media Relations Assistant is responsible for developing relationships with local media outlets (newspaper, TV, magazine, radio, blog) and writing and disseminating press releases to those outlets.

This position is classified as a VOLUNTEER INTERN, meaning that volunteers must apply for the position and the successful candidate must commit to a 6-month term.

Time Commitment:

• 2-hour monthly Communications Committee meeting (evening)
• 4 hours per week from home or the YouthCO office
• More time may be required leading up to special events and campaigns.

Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Communications Committee, identify key YouthCO issues, events and campaigns that would benefit from media exposure.  Develop media-friendly stories/angles for each one.
• Write press releases.
• Keep an up-to-date media list, and where possible, develop relationships with key journalists.