Teen Discussion Leader FAQs

Hello all! This post is about the frequently asked questions that pop up for those thinking about being a discussion leader. If you have any more questions that weren't answered here, please let us know down below, or by messaging me, @sophiasanae.

1. What is the time commitment like?

The great thing about being a Teen Discussion leader is that it is one of the less time consuming roles! You also get to pick which date/time you want to sign up for a discussion, and you get to choose the number of discussions you want to host each week. For each discussion that you sign up for, you should expect to commit around on hour of your time to hosting each week. Currently, we have a minimum quota of at least 3 sessions per month.

2. Do I have to host by myself?

Nope! You can sign up to be someone's co-host if you don't feel comfortable hosting by yourself. Also, if you know a friend that is also a part of TOZ's Group Support Team, then you can both sign up for a discussion together if there are two slots available!

3. What do I get for being a host?

For each discussion that you host, you will be awarded 100 cheers! Also, if you successfully complete your trial period, you will be badged with the "Host" badge, which you can find under the "Badges & Awards" section in your profile! You will also get the ability to put up a banner in group chat rooms.

4. Why does there have to be a trial period?

The trial period just ensures that you are a committed host for when we award you your badge! It also gives you a chance to test things out, in case you realize that your schedule has changed after signing up.

5. I want to be a host but I don't really get how discussions work. What should I do?

We encourage folks to sit in on at least a few discussions before applying. You can look for these discussions in group chat rooms called "Support Session Room" and "Special Events." You can also check out the Community Calendar for events here. Just listening, observing, and participating in discussions can help you learn a lot! And of course, you're also welcome to message the STL @sophiasane with any questions you have.

6. Can members and listeners both apply?

Yup! This project is open to everyone, so both members and listeners are welcome to sign up. The requirements for listeners is to be a verified listener, and have either the Sparkler badge (20 member group chats) or the Tiny Chat badge (20 listener group chats). For members, you are required to have no newbie badge, which means you have been a member for over 1 month. You also need the Friendly Face badge (100 group chats and 300 compassion hearts). You can find the application HERE.

Have more questions? Let us know by posting them in this thread!

Tagging discussion leaders: @azuladragon34 @hopedreamlove @KateDoskocilova @sophiasanae @bookworm274 @EmmaE @thoughtfulNarwhal3963 @Kara13V @Amy @mamtasha22 @Greenchoice1 @IcedEthan

^{Updated by @sophiasanae in January 2022 with updated hosting information}