Join our team of dedicated NAMI eastside volunteers
Your time and effort are very much appreciated.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for NAMI Eastside. Our programs and services are all offered for FREE, so we rely heavily on people like yourself to support the mental health community that we serve.
The opportunities below are available in 2022. Due to COVID-19, our office is currently closed to the public, and we are not accepting office volunteers at this time.
Interested in volunteering?
or
Set up a meeting to chat with our Volunteer Coordinator Lena!
PRODUCER
Producer Program Volunteer
The role of the producer will support multiple presentations for NAMI Eastside. The production process varies per presentation you represent. You will exercise your computer abilities as you frequently access google sheets, zoom and Microsoft team’s registration. You will ensure the audience experience is good by introducing yourself, the program leader presenting the information, and moderating the questions between the attendee and presenter. You may have editing tasks if the presentation is recorded. You will ensure the program leader is ready to present making sure background, lighting, and sound is ready prior to the start of the presentation.
This is not a job position, but a program volunteer that receives a stipend which is $20 up to 90 min and paid more after that as well as volunteer hours towards school credits. Hours vary, must be flexible.
Before the Presentation, Class or Seminar
- Participate in prep call a week prior to presentation introducing yourself to the program leader and going over details they wish to go over for the presentation
- Access calendar invites ensuring it is on your own calendar
- Checking which platform will be used and ensuring you can log into the registration
During the Presentation
- Log into the platform the presentation will be on a half hour prior to the presentation start time. If the platform being used is not NAMI’s please report the max number of audience members who attend the presentation
- Start the meeting 15 min before the presentation start time
- Make the lead presenters co-hosts and start admitting people
- Briefly introduce yourself, the presenters and the name of the presentation. Also note that there are many programs on nami-eastside.org and that there will be a demographic and evaluation form sent out by a NAMI associate that you’d appreciate they fill out as it helps with providing free programs such as the one they are attending
- Moderate the chat, having the lead program answer questions or comments
After the Presentation
- Report the audience count to the NAMI associate and log out of the platform you were using
PROGRAM LEADER VOLUNTEER POSITIONS - MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES
Connections Support Group Leader
The NAMI Connection Support Group Program is a peer-led support group program for any adult (18+) with a mental health condition. NAMI Connection grew out of the NAMI Family Support Group model, which was developed in 1997 under the leadership of psychologist and family member Dr. Joyce Burland. Group meetings are held once a week, once every other week or monthly and last for 90 minutes. This program offers participants the support of peers who understand their point of view and celebrate their successes.
Leader Qualifications/Training Requirements: Any adult with a mental health condition who makes mental health and wellness a priority in their daily life can apply to become a NAMI Connection program leader. All potential program leaders are interviewed and screened to determine whether the opportunity is a good fit for the person and for the organization. Program leaders attend an intensive peer-led training to become certified and must be members of NAMI. All certified program leaders should commit to a minimum of one year of service with a co-leader.
Interested? Click here to complete this interest form.
NAMI Family Support Group Leader
NAMI Family Support Group Program is a peer-led support group for family and friends of people experiencing mental health conditions. NAMI Family Support Group participants an opportunity to learn from their common experience. All groups are confidential, and participants may share as much or as little personal information as they want.
Leader Qualifications/Training Requirements: Any family member of a person who is experiencing or has experienced a mental health condition may apply to become a NAMI Family Support Group program leader. All potential program leaders are screened to determine whether the opportunity is a good fit for the individual and for the organization. Prospective leaders attend an intensive training to become certified. All program leaders and must be members of NAMI. All certified program leaders should commit to a minimum of one year of service with a co-leader.
Training Location & Times: Trainings are currently being held online.
Interested? Click here to complete this interest form.
Peer-to-Peer Program Leader
NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a 60-90-minute speaking program for community organizations. Speakers share personal stories of their experience with mental illness and the tools they use to stay in recovery. Speakers also challenge attitudes and preconceived notions regarding mental illness.
Leader Qualifications/Training Requirements: (1) are adults in recovery with a mental health condition (2) Willingness to attend the 4.5 hours online training and complete 1 hour of additional prep online training. (3) Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality. (4) Must be a NAMI member prior to beginning training.
Training Location & Times: Trainings are currently being held online.
Interested? Click here to complete this interest form.
Ending the Silence Program Leader
NAMI Ending the Silence is an engaging presentation that helps audience members learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one are showing symptoms of a mental health condition. NAMI Ending the Silence presentations include two leaders: one who shares an informative presentation and a young adult with a mental health condition who shares their journey of recovery. Audience members can ask questions and gain understanding of an often-misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we can help grow the movement to end stigma.
Leader Qualifications/Training Requirements: (1) young adult aged 18-35 in recovery with a mental health condition; or (2) adult who is either a family member or a person with a mental health condition. One leader must be a young adult in recovery (3) Willingness to attend the 4.5 hours online training and complete 1 hour of additional prep online training. (4) Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality. (5) Must be a NAMI member prior to beginning training.
Interested? Click here to complete this interest form.
Family to Family Program Leader
NAMI Family-to-Family is an eight-session educational program for family, significant others, and friends of adults (18+) who are living with a mental health diagnosis. The course provides critical information and strategies for supporting the person you love, as well as communication and problem-solving skills, family advocacy, caring for yourself and other family members, and much more!
Leader Qualifications/Training Requirements: (1) Must be a family member/significant other of an adult (18+) who has a mental health diagnosis. (2) Although preferred, it is not mandatory that you are a graduate of the NAMI Family-to-Family class. (3) Willingness to attend the 1.5 day in-person teacher training and complete 1-hour online training. (4) Candidates will adhere to the NAMI program guidelines of confidentiality. (5) Must be a NAMI member prior to beginning training.
YOUTH AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
We are excited to have a new Youth Ambassador Team for NAMI Eastside! As a team member, you will make a difference by empowering and educating youth about mental health. You may also have the ability to be the voice that our local cities are looking for as they address mental health. This is an unpaid volunteer position, though you may receive volunteer hours for your work.
Learn more about the NAMI Eastside Youth Ambassador Program here!
Apply here to become a Youth Ambassador!
Please email Chelsea at chelsea@nami-eastside.org with any questions.
PUBLIC POLICY & ADVOCACY COMMITTEE
We build relationships with thought leaders and legislators through storytelling to influence public policy at the Federal, State, County, and City level. We advocate for specific legislation to improve mental health treatment.
Keeping our organization informed with developments and opportunities at all levels is a team effort — think about connections you may have at what level you are plugged in.
We also highly value your lived experience and expertise. Be a designated subject matter expert on an area of policy focus. Help us to collect the stories and the data to reinforce the need for the policy changes that we are seeking!
Empower our members by giving them a voice.
LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEADERSHIP!
Contact Advocacy@nami-eastside.org for more information.