The Power of Difference Certification (PDC): Small Group Leader Volunteer Application
How This Works
Our online Power of Difference Certification (PDC) is an innovative program and model that is comprised of 7 week-long modules – participants complete about 50 hours over this 7 week period. The PDC supports participants in making internal transformations that lead to greater effectiveness in their places of work and communities across our differences of race, sexual orientation, religion, gender, culture, socio-economic class, and dis/ability.
For participants, every 7-week PDC includes 1 meeting weekly as a whole group, 1 meeting weekly with a partner, and 1 meeting per week as part of a small group with a trained leader. These small groups are kept to a ratio of 1 leader for every 4 participants. This is the application for this small group volunteer leader role.
Small group leaders play a key role in participants gaining access to the material/activities in this program. We are experimenting with the best ways to offer this work and the Fall 2021 Power of Difference Certification is our first time exploring a pay-what-you-can format. Please know that we are looking to develop strong small group leaders for future courses for which we hope (and expect!) to be able to pay.
You may have arrived at this page because you have already taken the PDC, and/or the PDA, or have been directed here because someone felt you would make a good small group leader. This role requires approximately 1.5-2 hours of work a week for 7 weeks. An additional time investment of approximately 1 hour/week to attend the weekly whole group meeting is highly recommended but not required at this time. The small group leader position is a “volunteer” role that may include a stipend of up to $800 at the conclusion of the 7 weeks, dependent on the amount of donations collected from participants and their organizations during the previous 7 weeks. Unfortunately, we cannot, at this time, guarantee any stipend amount.
The Fall 2021 PDC will run from Sunday, October 24 through Sunday December 19 (with the week of the Thanksgiving Holiday off).
Qualifications
Volunteer small group leaders must have experience in this field and demonstrate the ability to:
- be emotionally vulnerable
- withhold judgement, blame, and shame (of self and others)
- appreciate and value different perspectives
- balance sharing and empathic listening
- hold assumptions loosely
- recognize and “own” internal work
- let discomfort inform you and to honor and learn from inner resistance
- generally, impact others in alignment with intention
- sit in grief, anger, fear, and discomfort (one’s own or others) without moving to solutions
The Process
Step 1: Submit this initial application below (~30 minutes). We will review your application and notification of approval or denial will be made within 48 hours.
Step 2: Continuing applicants are asked to take the Power of Difference Assessment (PDA) online (~30 minutes—unless they already have) and schedule a one-on-one consultation. After completing this consultation (~60 minutes) applicants will be notified within 24 hours if they are:
-
- approved
- placed on a waiting list
- or denied
Step 3: Continuing new applicants are asked to complete a 2-hour training. Within 24 hours of completion, applicant will be notified of approval or denial.
Total time required for application process: about 3-4 hour
Application
All of the information provided below will be kept strictly confidential and will be used to make participant assignments and staffing decisions that will result in a diverse and qualified team of volunteers representative of the diversity of our participants.
Please note: because it is critical to maintain the experience of participant safety and support we reserve the right to deny applicants/small group leaders’ participation at any point in the process if we perceive the possibility that experience could be compromised.
