2SLGBTQIA+ Safer Spaces Workshop Facilitator

Concerned about queer and trans youth and how queer and transphobia may be affecting their lives at school? Here's your chance to do something about it!

CAEO Québec's SILK program is a free workshop designed to help make English schools in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal a safer space for queer and trans youth through education to increase awareness and knowledge on sexual orientation, gender identity, diversity and inclusivity. We also share local resources and our personal stories to demystify and connect students to the queer and trans community.

As a SILK workshop facilitator, you will be leading in-person or online workshops in a group of two or three volunteers to youth and other audiences within the Greater Montreal Area (GMA).

Key Responsibilities:

• Complete training to learn the content and skills to be able to deliver the workshop.
• When scheduled for a workshop, connect and pre-plan with fellow co-facilitators to prepare for the workshop together.
• Respond to e-mails or other communications sent by the SILK Director.
• For the workshop itself:
  • Introduction, land acknowledgement and sharing of local 2SLGBTQIA+ community resources.
  • Co-author safer space guidelines.
  • Discuss the difference between sex, gender and sexuality/sexual orientation.
  • Share a personal testimonial story as a member or ally of the community.
  • Lead educational games about a variety of 2SLGBTQIA+ topics where we talk about and describe the more common gender and sexual identities, pronouns, queer and trans realities.
  • Facilitate a discussion and give tips on how to combat queer and transphobia and ways of creating safer spaces at school.
  • Answer questions raised by students.
  • Debrief with co-facilitators post workshop.
  • Complete workshop reports and provide written responses to any leftover student questions in a timely manner post workshop.

Requirements:

• Complete our three weekend day (Nov. 7th, 8th & 14th) , in-person volunteer training held at QPIRG Concordia (Metro Guy-Concordia), with additional sessions as required to practice the workshop.
• Complete a background check to ensure your eligibility to work with youth and other vulnerable audiences.
• Available to facilitate workshops during school hours on weekdays in the GMA.
• Comfortable with public speaking and sharing about your own personal experiences as someone who is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or as an ally who supports it.
• Maintain timely communications with your fellow co-facilitators and SILK Director.
• Access to a transit pass or vehicle.

Useful assets but not required:

• Prior work or volunteer experience working with or teaching youth.
• Passionate about education with compassion and understanding.
• Familiarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ culture.
• Familiarity with local 2SLGBTQIA+ community resources.

For more information on volunteering: caeoquebec.org/volunteer

About CAEO Québec:

The Canadian Association for Education and Outreach (CAEO) Québec is a charitable volunteer organisation founded in 1976, originally operating under the name Gay Line, to reflect the needs of the English-speaking queer and trans community in Tiohtià:ke/Montreal and the surrounding areas. Our mission is to combat homo/trans/queerphobia and heterosexism (in all its associated forms); strive for equal status and equal opportunity within our society; and aim to eliminate tolerance to help achieve true acceptance. Join us as we celebrate our 50th anniversary!