Call for volunteers

Apply to Be a Champion for the Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI)

onar — Wed, 18 May 2022 19:56:38 +0000

Apply to Be a Champion for the Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI)

News

onar May 18, 2022

OCASI-PSI

invites you to:

Apply to Be a Champion for the Positive Spaces Initiative

What is a Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI) Champion?

A PSI Champion is someone who is passionate about advocating for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/two-spirit, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and other diverse gender identities and sexual orientations) immigrants, refugees and newcomers. You don't have to be an expert on LGBTQIA+ issues in order to apply, just have a desire and capacity to learn and make a difference in your local community.

What Do Champions Do?

Champions work closely with PSI Coordinators to help contextualize our vision, mission, and resources to the needs of their region; they provide ongoing feedback and help to identify gaps that should be addressed by the initiative. Champions also hold events in their community to support LGBTQIA+ newcomers.

What Supports Do PSI Champions Receive?

Champions receive training, resources, and ongoing support from the PSI Coordinators.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

OCASI is looking for volunteer Champions who are 18 years of age or older, from diverse regions of Ontario. Anyone who has the capacity and interest to promote the Positive Spaces Initiative’s mission and vision through advocacy and events is encouraged to apply.

To learn more and apply, click HERE

Application deadline is Friday, May 27th, 2022

For more information please contact: psi@ocasi.org

The Positive Spaces Initiative is Funded by the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and coordinated by OCASI

Mode Online

Call for volunteers

Event Link Apply to be a PSI Champion

Call for volunteers: Positive Space Champions

ocasi-admin — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 19:05:54 +0000

Call for volunteers: Positive Space Champions ocasi-admin March 01, 2017

The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI), a project of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI), is on a search to identify regional Champions! A Champion is a person who is actively engaged in their community, working for the inclusion and human rights of LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer, questioning, asexual, intersex, pansexual, genderqueer, etc.) immigrants and refugees. This volunteer position recognizes the work that you are already doing in your community, gives you an opportunity to build your skills, contacts, and experience, and connects you with other people doing similar work around the province. Champions start conversations in their communities through outreach, referrals, building networks, and events

We are particularly looking for Champions in the following areas:

Central East: Barrie, Bradford, Durham Region (Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby), Peterborough, York Region (Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan)
Central West: Peel Region (Brampton, Burlington, Halton, Malton, Mississauga, Oakville)
East: Belleville, Cornwall, Kingston
North: Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay
South: Beamsville, Brantford, Cambridge, Fort Erie, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Niagara, St. Catharines, Waterloo, Welland
West: Chatham, Leamington, London, Sarnia, Windsor-Essex

***Please note that in the City of Toronto, we are ONLY looking for Champions who speak French and have an interest in working with Francophone communities.

Qualifications

Required

Experience with LGBTQ+ newcomer communities (this may include work-related and/or personal lived experience)
Demonstrated commitment to open, accountable, safer spaces, and to equity for LGBTQ+ newcomers
Demonstrated leadership skills and initiative; works well independently and collaboratively
Holds strong values of equity, inclusion, and diversity
Thorough understanding of intersectionality; works from anti-oppressive framework to end all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ newcomers including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism, monosexism, cissexism, xenophobia, and racism
Strong communication skills in English

Asset

Active and established presence in the region or community (personally and/or through workplace)
Knowledge of the immigrant and refugee serving sector in Ontario
Previous training and/or experience relating to Positive Spaces
French-speaking or self-identified Francophone keen to work with and outreach to French-speaking and Francophone LGBTQ+ communities in order to build and strengthen LGBTQ+ Francophone networks and resources
Proficiency in additional languages.
Experience with non-violent communication skills, conflict resolution, and addressing resistance to change in organizations and communities.

Responsibilities

Perform outreach and referrals by promoting the Positive Spaces Initiative and its tools, resources, and training opportunities to immigrant and refugee serving agencies in your region.
Establish an informal network in your region (this usually involves building upon existing networks).
Coordinate one regional event per year, in collaboration with any other Champions and organizations in the same region. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ newcomer issues, and to bring people and agencies together for greater resource-sharing and collaboration.
Event ideas may include hosting a film screening, panel discussion, roundtable, picnic/BBQ, coffeehouse, open mic night, Pride event, etc. – this is your chance to be creative!
Communicate regularly with the PSI Coordinator on progress made and support required.

Benefits

Champions will be publically recognized by OCASI through the featuring of their names and short bios on www.PositiveSpaces.ca.
You will develop skills with outreach, networking, and event planning; build your repertoire of professional contacts; and gain experience in the immigrant and refugee serving sector, and in understanding unique LGBTQ+ needs and realities.
Champions will receive a certificate to verify that they have received professional development training in the PSI methodology.

Upon Being Selected for Position of Champion

New Champions will be required to complete Modules 1-4 of the “Serving LGBTQ+ Newcomers” self-directed online training at www.LearnAtWork.ca (a total of 6-8 hours) prior to the Group Orientation & Training (unless they have already completed the modules in-person).
Champions will be required to attend the Group Orientation & Training held in Toronto on Friday, March 24 & Saturday, March 25, 2017. Champions will receive support to cover travel expenses.

Additional Details

This is a volunteer position. Expect to spend 3-4 hours per month on outreach/referrals and building the regional network. Additional time will be required some months to coordinate the annual regional event.
Time commitment is one year. After one year, Champions may continue as long as is mutually satisfactory.
The primary contact between OCASI and the Champions is the PSI Coordinator. The Coordinator is here to support you in your role and to provide any necessary assistance.
Champions will be connected with all other designated Champions and with the PSI Advisory Committee through email, telephone, and an online discussion forum. Champions in the same region are especially encouraged to work together.

If you are interested please submit:

Your current resume;

Introductory letter including:
- Why you want to volunteer for OCASI Positive Spaces Initiative;
- Your specific expertise and interest relating to the Champion position; and
- Two reference contacts.

Applications are due Monday, January 31, 2017. All applications and inquiries should be directed to:

Sizwe-Alexandre Inkingi, Coordinator, Positive Spaces Initiative

Email: ainkingi@ocasi.org

Phone: 416-322-4950 Ext. 265

Call for volunteers

Call for volunteers: Positive Space Champions

ocasi-admin — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 19:07:30 +0000

Call for volunteers: Positive Space Champions ocasi-admin February 24, 2017

We are particularly looking for Champions in the following areas:

Central East: Barrie, Bradford, Durham Region (Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, Whitby), Peterborough, York Region (Aurora, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan)
Central West: Peel Region (Brampton, Burlington, Halton, Malton, Mississauga, Oakville)
East: Belleville, Cornwall, Kingston
North: Kenora, North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Thunder Bay
South: Beamsville, Brantford, Cambridge, Fort Erie, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Niagara, St. Catharines, Waterloo, Welland
West: Chatham, Leamington, London, Sarnia, Windsor-Essex

***Please note that in the City of Toronto, we are ONLY looking for Champions who speak French and have an interest in working with Francophone communities.

Qualifications

Required

Experience with LGBTQ+ newcomer communities (this may include work-related and/or personal lived experience)
Demonstrated commitment to open, accountable, safer spaces, and to equity for LGBTQ+ newcomers
Demonstrated leadership skills and initiative; works well independently and collaboratively
Holds strong values of equity, inclusion, and diversity
Thorough understanding of intersectionality; works from anti-oppressive framework to end all forms of discrimination against LGBTQ+ newcomers including homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism, monosexism, cissexism, xenophobia, and racism
Strong communication skills in English

Asset

Active and established presence in the region or community (personally and/or through workplace)
Knowledge of the immigrant and refugee serving sector in Ontario
Previous training and/or experience relating to Positive Spaces
French-speaking or self-identified Francophone keen to work with and outreach to French-speaking and Francophone LGBTQ+ communities in order to build and strengthen LGBTQ+ Francophone networks and resources
Proficiency in additional languages.
Experience with non-violent communication skills, conflict resolution, and addressing resistance to change in organizations and communities.

Responsibilities

Perform outreach and referrals by promoting the Positive Spaces Initiative and its tools, resources, and training opportunities to immigrant and refugee serving agencies in your region.
Establish an informal network in your region (this usually involves building upon existing networks).
Coordinate one regional event per year, in collaboration with any other Champions and organizations in the same region. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ newcomer issues, and to bring people and agencies together for greater resource-sharing and collaboration.
Event ideas may include hosting a film screening, panel discussion, roundtable, picnic/BBQ, coffeehouse, open mic night, Pride event, etc. – this is your chance to be creative!
Communicate regularly with the PSI Coordinator on progress made and support required.

Benefits

Champions will be publically recognized by OCASI through the featuring of their names and short bios on www.PositiveSpaces.ca.
You will develop skills with outreach, networking, and event planning; build your repertoire of professional contacts; and gain experience in the immigrant and refugee serving sector, and in understanding unique LGBTQ+ needs and realities.
Champions will receive a certificate to verify that they have received professional development training in the PSI methodology.

Upon Being Selected for Position of Champion

New Champions will be required to complete Modules 1-4 of the “Serving LGBTQ+ Newcomers” self-directed online training at www.LearnAtWork.ca (a total of 6-8 hours) prior to the Group Orientation & Training (unless they have already completed the modules in-person).
Champions will be required to attend the Group Orientation & Training held in Toronto on Friday, March 24 & Saturday, March 25, 2017. Champions will receive support to cover travel expenses.

Additional Details

This is a volunteer position. Expect to spend 3-4 hours per month on outreach/referrals and building the regional network. Additional time will be required some months to coordinate the annual regional event.
Time commitment is one year. After one year, Champions may continue as long as is mutually satisfactory.
The primary contact between OCASI and the Champions is the PSI Coordinator. The Coordinator is here to support you in your role and to provide any necessary assistance.
Champions will be connected with all other designated Champions and with the PSI Advisory Committee through email, telephone, and an online discussion forum. Champions in the same region are especially encouraged to work together.

If you are interested please submit:

Your current resume;

Introductory letter including:
- Why you want to volunteer for OCASI Positive Spaces Initiative;
- Your specific expertise and interest relating to the Champion position; and
- Two reference contacts.

Applications are due Monday, January 31, 2017. All applications and inquiries should be directed to:

Sizwe Inkingi, Coordinator, Positive Spaces Initiative

Email: sinkingi@ocasi.org

Phone: 416-322-4950 Ext. 265

Call for volunteers

Call Out for Performers & Event Volunteers

ocasi-admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 18:05:54 +0000

Call Out for Performers & Event Volunteers ocasi-admin June 19, 2015

Diverse Residents One Community

Friday, June 19, 2015

Artscape Wychwood Barns

Toronto

We’re looking for community members to help us with organizing and/or performing in our Diverse Residents One Community event. This event will take place on Friday, June 19th 2015 and will be a kickoff to this year’s Pride celebration under the theme “Come out and play”. Through this event, we intend to raise awareness among the general population of the plight of LGBTQ Refugees and the multiple barriers they face. More importantly, we want to afford members of these communities with a venue to display their talents. This will be achieved through a day of musical and theatrical performances, art exhibitions, cultural displays and speeches by community leaders.

Areas that persons can volunteer in are outreach, bartending (you must have Smart Serve certification), Master of Ceremony, and other volunteer duties. We are also looking for persons to showcase their talents to make this event a success. Performances are open to all categories (music, dance, spoken word, drag, comedy, sharing stories of lived experience, etc.).

This event is hosted by the FCJ Refugee Centre, an incorporated and registered charitable organization that helps uprooted people overcome the challenges of rebuilding their lives in Canadian society. With an open door approach, the Centre offers an integrated model of refugee protection, settlement services, education and shelter.

If you are interested in volunteering and/or performing, please contact Xavier Browne at Xavier.Browne@FCJRefugeeCentre.org or 416-469-9754 ext. 222.

Call for volunteers

Call Out for Performers & Event Volunteers

ocasi-admin — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 18:07:30 +0000

Call Out for Performers & Event Volunteers ocasi-admin June 15, 2015

Diverse Residents One Community

Friday, June 19, 2015

Artscape Wychwood Barns

Toronto

If you are interested in volunteering and/or performing, please contact Xavier Browne at Xavier.Browne@FCJRefugeeCentre.org or 416-469-9754 ext. 222.

Call for volunteers