Volunteer Opportunity Details

Early stage social engagement leaders

Early-Stage Social Engagement Leaders plan, implement and assure positive experience during social engagement events/activities for people living with memory loss and their care partners. As leaders, individuals provide hospitality, support and volunteer oversight at social engagement events.

Key Activities:

• Consult with staff and early-stage advisors to schedule early-stage engagement activities, secure event logistics, assure group safety, and coordinate volunteers to provide hospitality.
• At social engagement events, provide hospitality and support needed to attendees by working with additional volunteers to provide a positive experience for ES groups.
• Responsible for the management of early-stage attendance statistics & rosters.
• Collect, distribute, and manage additional materials & literature needed by early-stage attendees at events.
• Follow expectations and recommendations of the Early-Stage Social Engagement Manual, including the handling of transition/termination of group members, participation in ongoing training and record keeping.
• Connect members of the community with additional Association services by proactively making referrals to Alzheimer's Association programs & free 24/7 Helpline.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in working independently and with a team.
• Organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Successful in engaging people with dementia.
• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect.
• Commitment to promote the mission and services of the Association and willingness to act as an extension of the Association.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Commitment Expected:

• Early-Stage Social Engagement Leaders commit to a 1-year term delivering a monthly group. Terms are renewable upon successful completion of annual goal-setting conversation with your staff partner.
• Orientation for the role includes: online program volunteer welcome and orientation (1 hour) + self-study or in-person training with local chapter staff (~2 hours).
• Early-Stage Social Engagement Leaders must observe 1 social engagement activity in the community led by a staff or mentor + demonstrate working with people with cognitive impairment prior to deployment in the community.
• Background checks are required as part of the volunteer selection process.
• Comply with Alzheimer’s Association volunteer policies and procedures.
• Participate in initial training and ongoing education about Alzheimer’s, dementia and the Alzheimer's Association.

Benefits to the Volunteer:

• Serve your local community and people you care about.
• Increase your knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Be recognized in your community as a leader and resource for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• Join a network of other volunteers, Alzheimer's Association staff and professionals and caregivers in the aging field.
• Build your resume and skill set.
• Perfect your community engagement technique and help mobilize your community to create a world without Alzheimer’s.