[Transcript] Open House: October 2019

Hi everyone! In October, we had an open house for leadership opportunities at 7 cups. You can read about it here. Here is a transcript of the questions and answers from that meeting.

Q: What's one thing you would say to someone that wants to take on a leadership role?
A: Put self-care first and take only as much as you can handle

Make sure the role you pursue is one you're passionate about as you're going to enjoy the role a lot more and be able to make more of an impact if you care about what you're doing

Q: How to acquire forum supporter?
A: So to learn about forum supporter just visit this thread: www.7cups.com/forum/ProjectsEvents_184/ForumTeam_686/UpdatedForumLeadershipApplications_51746/1/

The role is to essentially provide support via forum supports in 1-3 topics of your choice. this can range from solely responding, to check-ins, and even to creating your own content

Q: Can you explain Editorial Assistant (member of the content volunteer team), Marketing Assistant, and Member Support Room Guide?
A: These roles are not active

Q: How do I get the actual forum supporter badge?
A: After three months of being a forum supporter in a subcommunity, you can apply for a global badge here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/CommunityProjectsEvents_184/ForumTeam_686/GlobalForumModerationApplication_139963/

Alternatively, if you are a forum supporter for a forum category that does not yet have a subcommunity. You can get it right off the bat.

Q: How many roles can a listener have at maximum?
A: There isn't an exact guideline on that, however we encourage everyone to be mindful of how much they're taking on and drop things as necessary. For example, we encourage people to limit themselves to only one mentor leader level position, and you can only formally be on 3 group support or forum teams.

Q: How can I learn more about what it's like to be a listener?
A: You can connect with a quality mentor and take mock chats.

Q: What are the requirements to become a listener?
A: The only requirements to become a listener are being 15+ and going through a short training. There are no auto-removal requirements to maintain your listener account.

Q: Do I have to take a certain number of chats at a time?
A: No, in fact we encourage you do not take many chats at a time.

Q: If I want to be a listener do I have to create a listener account that is separate from my current member account?
A: Yes.

Q: How long does the training take?
A: It is not very long. Generally, you can complete it one sitting.

Q: what are the 5 most important things a listener need to have when being on a leadership role?
A: This largely depends on the role. But I would say: Patience, Maturity, Professionalism, Highly Motivated, and Passionate.

Q: How often does a mod need to be present in the rooms?
A: Volunteer mods must send 100 messages in the group support rooms

Q: When I set up a listener account do I get to choose a username? Should it be same as my member name?
A: You get to choose a username, and you can't make it the same. We prefer you make it dissimilar, as they have to be different for confidentiality. You can change your username for up to 2 weeks after creating your account.

Q: Do listeners primarily use their listener accounts?
A: It depends. Many people have both, but many also use one account more than other

Q: Could I transfer my member role as forum supporter to my listener account if I get one?
A: No you could not, it needs to be separate. Behavior points do not transfer between accounts either

Q: Can a member support a chatroom discussion as a leader?
A: As of right now you have to be a member room supporter. These applications are currently on hold as we audit roles, but we hope to open it back up soon.

Q: What leadership roles are open to members?
A: There are many! There is forum supporter, forum member leader, forum project leader, welcoming team member, team member, Q&A, etc. The forum track is fully member inclusive, but there are opportunities for members in other tracks as well.

Q: Are there any new leadership roles in the works?
A: Possibly! Things are always changing

Q: What is the "feed team"?
A: a feed team member is someone who promotes their community on the feed: www.7cups.com/member/feed.php. However, this role is no longer active.

Q: How do I know if I would be a good listener?
A: We have quality mentors and listener coaches to help you and people called chat supports which are specific for helping with live chats

Q: The feed is not being updated. Its defunct?
A: there are some bugs that will not be fixed, but it does still function generally and people still use it, but it is not being updated, no

Q: Is the site in need of listeners or are there too many?
A: The site is always in need of quality listeners and leaders

Q: I do not understand why more work is not being focused on the app? Do more people access Cups through the website?
A: We have a team dedicated to working on the app. We are hoping to release the new version soon

Q: Can Listeners use another language to reply?
A: Yes, with the exception of the chatrooms. English must be used in these spaces for moderation purposes.

Q: What is the most needed leadership role? I guess it's in forums?
A: it depends on what you are interested in, Someone doing a role they really enjoy is going to benefit the site more than just filling in a role. Forums do have the widest options for members interested though

Q: I'd like to know about the team member
A: Team member is a very flexible role. It is often used in the interim between wanting to do a role and being trained for it. It can be tailored to whatever it is you want to help with and the community needs. I recommend reaching out to the community mentor leader of the community you're interested in being a team member for, and if there isn't a community mentor leader then reach out to me and I can find the right person to plug you in. they can talk to you about your interests and their need and craft the role that is best for you

Q: Im curious about the partnership and training/skills involved to become a community health worker through Cups.
A: This program has not launched yet, we are still fundraising to get it off the ground. You can go to 7cups.org/empower for updates

Q: How can I become a group mod?
A: Listeners interested in becoming a group mod can start with the room supporter program. Learn more about the requirements and apply here: www.7cups.com/forum/GroupSupport_168/RoomSupporter_1769/ListenerRoomSupporterRequirementsandApplication_170262/

Q: Can members become room supporters?
A: Yes! The applications are currently not being processed as we audit the role, but members can learn about the requirements and apply here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/GroupSupport_168/RoomSupporter_1769/MemberRoomSupportersRequirementsandApplication_186045/

Q: How long does it take to become a room supporter?
A: We try to process applications within 2 weeks. We recently adjusted our training method and are hoping to tighten up turnaround time.

Q: What are the current opportunities for this month?
A: October's Help Wanted post can be found here: www.7cups.com/forum/HelpWanted_188/HelpWantedOctober2019_1996/HelpWantedOctober2019_209715/ However, if you are interested in a different team or community that is not listed here, feel free to reach out to the leader of that team or @MonBon to see if there is an opportunity for you to join.

Q: Why should I become a leader?
A: Becoming a leader gives you access to additional training materials and helps you to develop skills that you can use both on 7 cups and in real life.

Q: What kind of support exists for leaders?
A: Other leaders are always willing to lend a hand or answer a question. Please feel free to reach out!

Q: What leadership roles exist for teens?
A: Teens can take on many roles ranging from just about anything: forum, group support, teen star, internship, help wanted and many more.

Q: Can you elaborate on the forum opportunities for teens?
A: Teens come become forum supporters and even teen stars / member leaders for 1-3 communities of their choice. Once they are a forum supporter or teen star / member leader, they can apply to be a project agent for the forum team, assisting the forum ambassadors in maintaining the global direction of the forums.

Learn more about the forum supporter process here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/ProjectsEvents_184/ForumTeam_686/UpdatedForumLeadershipApplications_51746/1/

Learn more about forum leadership opportunities here: https://www.7cups.com/forum/CommunityProjects_124/ForumTeam_686/ForumLeadershipOpportunities_142533/

Q: Can you elaborate on teen star?
A: Teen star is a mentor level position for teen listeners. There are six tracks, which you can learn more about in this lovely post by @AveryLove: https://www.7cups.com/forum/ListenerLearningJourney_149/MentorTeenStarSection_1964/TeenStarTracksInfosRequirements_205069/ [Listener only link]

Members interested in a mentor level position can currently only become forum member leaders.

Q: Where can I find the list of teen stars?
A: Adults will see mentors and teens will see teen stars when they visit this link: https://www.7cups.com/listener/listenerMentors.php [listener only link]

Q: What is the role of a team member?
A: This varies from community to community and what the leader specifically needs, but in general: Create a supportive environment in your community by creating content and supporting others in the forum and / or group support rooms

Q: What is a mega member?
A: A mega member is a member with a leadership role. For example, if you are a forum supporter or room supporter on a member account, you are also a mega member and have access to the mega member room.

Q: How do I become a Peer Support?
A: A peer support is a listener role focused on offering emotional support to listeners associated with chats, such a compassion fatigue or triggering content. Learn more and apply here: www.7cups.com/forum/ListenersOnlyForums_38/PeerSupportForum_397/PeerSupportBadgeGetInvolvedSupportTheCommunity_2474/1/

Q: What are support teams and support team leader?
A: support teams are teams that are made up of mods, discussion leaders and room supporters so more often than not each room has a support team. Then each support team has a leader to supervise that team and its room(s)

Q: Do I have to be a room supporter before I can become a mod?
A: Yes

Q: I was thinking about becoming a listener and was wondering how much time I should put into it?
A: It's completely up to you as there are no time requirements or things like that. The most important thing is that you establish strong boundaries and prioritize self care.

Q: What are cheers and compassion hearts?
A: Cheers and compassion hearts are a tangible way of seeing your impact on 7 cups. You earn cheers by participating on the site, such as by taking a self-help course, posting in the forums, or participating in a chat. The most common way to earn a compassion heart is by having your message hearted in a group support or 1-on-1 chat.

Learn more about member reputation here: https://www.7cups.com/about/memberReputation.php

Learn more about listener reputation here: https://www.7cups.com/about/faqBadgesCheers.php

Q: What do I do if there is a chatroom emergency?
A: Please fill out the emergency mod form and / or reach out to the community mod on duty.

Adult Emergency Mod Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oKogEp4WA4qyWZRenJMPdvRv_yMVnI-LdOjq7GXja9U/viewform

Teen Emergency Mod Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1sijqPn2TS9V4LhNprXzD2ScogSusmy7KmaugNXhXCcU/viewform

Community Moderator Weekly Schedule: https://www.7cups.com/forum/SafetyKnowledgeat7Cups_181/CommunityModeratorWeeklySchedule_1640/CommunityModeratorWeeklyScheduleCurrent_197792/

Q: Where can I find additional training guides?
A: https://www.7cups.com/supportGuides/selfHelpGuides.php

Q: Can 7 cups count as service hours for my graduation?
A: For official volunteer hours (for example, to present you your school), I would recommend the internship program. @Hope can serve as a contact reference and they will calculate your hours and things like that. otherwise, any listener can get certificates of their involvement on the training page: www.7cups.com/listener/training.php. You will need to confirm with your school if 7 cups can be used as official volunteer hours. Additionally, if you are applying for jobs or school applications, 7 cups can be included on your resume.

Q: What is the internship program and how can I join?
A: The internship program is for listeners wanting more structure to their volunteer experience. Reasons to become an intern include a) for evidence of volunteering, b) development of skills, c) for career development, etc. Learn more here: www.7cups.com/about/internships.php

Q: What if I have questions after this meeting?
A: You can reach out to MonBon and she will be happy to help!

Q: I find it hard to meet all the requirements for the leadership roles. Any tips?
A: For initial requirements, try to tackle them one at a time. Opportunities will still be there for you when you are ready, and taking things one at a time will help prevent burnout.

Q: Are Peer Support applications being updated for listeners? It has been a while.
A: There is a backlog, but we are working through them now.

Q: On what basis will I be judged for the badge?
A: Each leadership position has different requirements. Please reach out to @MonBon and she can help you find the requirements for a specifc position.

Q: How can I become more confident and not be afraid of failure? How to feel more confident in my abilities and accept my leadership skills?
A: I recommend reaching out to a quality mentor. They can help you develop leadership skills, practice situations with you, and give you constructive feedback to help you grow. Learn more about our listener coaching program here [Listener only link].

Q: How do I balance between leadership roles and seeking support? (this question is from a member)
A: This is a great question, I took the liberty of asking some of our superstar member leaders.

@AffyAvo says: Take some time for seeking support exclusively. Sometimes it's useful to seek support in an area you're not involved with, whether that means going to the group chats if volunteering in the forums or vice versa or even going to a different category. Take a self-care break if life pressures are building up or volunteer roles feel like they are dragging you down. Make use of 1-1 chats.

@TortueDesBois says: A good way to do it is to relate to other members when it's possible; and being welcoming to those entering doesn't prevent you from seeking support; you don't have to give support everyone all the time neither, just give it when you are in a mood for giving it and then receive it when you need it. being a leader is being a role model, and role of a member IS to receive support.

Q: Are leaders forced to abandon listening? Why when they get in leadership roles they all stop take chats?
A: Listeners are not forced to abandon listening when they get leadership positions. We actually try to encourage listeners to still make time for chats, but sometimes due to lifestyle or preference this is not possible. We understand this cam frustrating to the member community and are taking steps to improve the experience of finding a listener.

Q: Why didn't I get the role I wanted?
A: It is an unfortunate fact that sometimes you will work really hard and not end up getting the role you want. I cover this in my thread "Our Role As Volunteers" [Listener Only Link]. I will quote the portion of interest since members don't have access to the link:

"It's great that you have done a lot for the site! They love to see our volunteers work hard on their projects. However, just as with any job in real life, not everyone will get a leadership position. They will look for the best candidates for a leadership position. As someone who onboards leaders regularly, I can tell you that we try our best to ensure everyone has the chance to become a leader if they want to, but people are recruited based on team needs and fit. At the end of the day being given a leadership is a privilege, not a right, and one that comes with a variety of expectations and responsibilities. 7 Cups allows you to volunteer for them, and if you are not meeting the expectations in some form or fashion, it is within their rights to remove your leadership position."

Here is another thread that further discusses what should happen "When You Don't Get the Role You Want" [listener only link]

Q: Are leadership positions only for listeners?
A: No! There are numerous opportunities for members. Please see earlier in the trancript for some examples.

Q: Why do listeners get badges and not members?
A: Members can get badges as well. You can see all of them here: https://www.7cups.com/about/memberReputation.php

Q: Can you explain what a mega member is?
A: A mega member is a member with a leadership role. For example, if you are a forum supporter or room supporter on a member account, you are also a mega member and have access to the mega member room.

Q: How do I deal with a Identity disorder when I'm in school?
A: That is a great question! I recommend creating a thread in our Gender Identity Support subforum.

Tagging those from the form: @xdaidremex @rawalmamata @Sue95 @LexIris @Mashexhka @fearlessWriter78 @Lucy2