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School's Out - Empower MEdia Lead Volunteer (Honorarium)

In-Person 

The SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre has partnered with the Surrey School District Community School’s Partnership Department to develop and implement “Empower MEdia”, an after-school program focusing on digital citizenship for kids in grades 5-7. This program is being supported by a grant from the United Way School's Out program.

In an increasingly digital world where children and youth are expected to use digital tools for purposes of education, information, social connection, and entertainment, digital citizenship education is of vital importance to empower and protect young people online.

The Empower MEdia program engages students in grades 5-7 with important topics on digital citizenship in ways that encourage creativity, exploration, acquisition of new knowledge and empowerment. Topics may include but are not limited to: health and well-being online, privacy, safety, identity, relationships, communication, cyberbullying, news/media literacy and social media wellness.

Opportunity Description:

The SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre (CEC) is looking for one or two SFU students to fill the role of Lead Volunteer for the Empower MEdia program.

The Lead Volunteer will perform the following duties, with oversight from the Program and Volunteer Supervisor:

  • Support leading program activities, manage the schedule of activities under the direction of the Program and Volunteer Supervisor;
  • Attend all the Empower MEdia sessions (in-person);  
  • Meet with the Program and Volunteer Supervisor every week, to help them produce and revise a schedule of activities for each session;
  • Help the Program and Volunteer Supervisor lead the volunteer training sessions;
  • Follow up with volunteers who do not show up, as needed;
  • Support overseeing the program and students at the site, and ensure it runs smoothly;
  • Communicate any concerns to the Program and Volunteer Supervisor (or the Program Manager);
  • Assist Program and Volunteer Supervisor with teaching the material when necessary;
  • Respond and take initiative throughout session to check in on volunteers as they work in their teams;
  • Provide support and feedback to volunteers;
  • Be prepared to take on any of the responsibilities of the Program and Volunteer Supervisor at a moment's notice, if necessary;
  • Handle problems that arise independently and with initiative;
  • Write a short one-page report after serving as Lead Volunteer at the end of each program iteration (reflections on personal and professional development, how the program went, successes, challenges and any suggestions for improvement.)

In this role, you will:

  • Learn about the topic of Digital Citizenship and the foundational curriculum for the Empower MEdia program;
  • Apply learned knowledge in digital citizenship topics such as digital literacy, rights and responsibilities, mental health, safety, information credibility and more through development and implementation of activities.
  • Acquire knowledge and skills in effective strategies for delivering content focused on empowering children to be responsible digital citizens;
  • Build upon your interpersonal, communication, cross-cultural awareness and instructional skills by delivering program activities;
  • Apply interpersonal, empathy and relationship-building skills by developing healthy relationships with the children in the program.

Timeframe: 

The Empower MEdia program runs in-person from approximately 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You are welcome to apply for the Lead Volunteer position on one or both days.

The schedule for this role is as follows.

Fall 2024: 

  • Week of September 9th – October 11th (program prep and volunteer training)
  • October 14th – December 6th (program is running)
  • December 9th – 13th (wrap up and prep for next iteration)

Spring 2025:

  • January 6th – January 17th (program prep and volunteer training)
  • January 20th – March 14th (program is running)
  • March 17th – March 21st (wrap-up and prep for next iteration)

Summer 2025:

  • April 14th – May 2nd (program prep and volunteer training)
  • May 5th – June 20th (program is running)
  • June 23rd – June 27th (wrap-up and report writing)

Generally, we expect the incumbent to be performing approximately 5 hours per week.

Other Benefits:

  • Gain experience facilitating an afterschool program.
  • Gain demonstrable leadership and mentorship experience.
  • Have the opportunity to engage with other SFU students.
  • Build your volunteer coordination capabilities.
  • Recognition for your service on SFU’s Co-Curricular Record. (The Co-Curricular Record (CCR) is an official university document that tracks your cocurricular involvement at SFU. Click here to learn more.)  

Remuneration:

Upon successful completion of the role after the designated time period, the Lead Volunteer will receive:

  • An honorarium of $200 per semester ($600 total)

Please indicate on your application if you would like to be a Lead Volunteer for Tuesdays, Thursdays or both days of the week. The above honorarium will be doubled if you are hired for both days of the week.  

 

 

 

Location: 

  • The program will run at James Ardiel Elementary School (13751 112 Ave, Surrey, BC).

Requirements: 

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree at SFU, with previous experience in: working with children in a recreation or school setting; volunteer coordination; program coordination; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience; Excellent oral and written communication skills;  
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and conflict management skills;
  • Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills;
  • Willingness to take initiative and problem-solve independently;
  • Clean criminal record check (this will be a condition for employment. If you are being considered as a candidate, we will provide more information on how to get this requirement completed).

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, email Saba Fatemi, Program Manager, SFU Surrey - TD Community Engagement Centre at sfatemi@sfu.ca your resume and detailed answers to the following questions:

  1. Why do you want to apply for this position?  
  2. What personal and professional strengths or relevant experiences would you bring to this position?
  3. Why is the topic of digital citizenship important for children?

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email with an interview invitation.

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 11:59 PM

 
 
Collection Notice: The information collected as part of the application process is under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468). It is related directly to and needed by the University to administer the volunteer program through the SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre. The information will be used to screen volunteer applicants, refer applicants to opportunities of interest, and update applicants with information related to volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Associate Director, Partnerships and Programs, 250-13450 102 Avenue, Surrey BC, V3T 0A3, 778-782-8082.    

Apply now!

Ready to learn about volunteering with the community as an SFU ambassador? Join the Community Engagement Volunteer Training Program.

Learn more

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record.