Position Title: Veteran/Family Member Volunteer, Companionship Conversationalist

Responsible To: MDSC National Volunteer Coordinator

Summary:

The Mood Disorders Society of Canada (MDSC) is looking for volunteers that enjoy conversation and have a smile in their voice. Successful candidates will be assigned to MDSCs new program called ‘Enhancing Connections’. This program supports Veterans and their Family Members.

It is well known that social engagement and connecting to others improves our sense of overall well-being. Throughout our lives we may go through a time of not feeling connected. This program has four options to help Veterans and their Family Members if they experience this issue. The first offering is one-on-one phone calls with the ability to speak informally with a caring person. These calls are offered in a safe, private and trust-based environment.

In your role, you will have regularly scheduled phone calls with a Veteran and/or Family Member/s as a way of providing connection. Companionship calls are typically 30 minutes to one hour in duration and you would only be required to work at times that are scheduled with your clients. This work requires a person who is able to speak with ease, who is compassionate, empathic, enjoys cross-generational conversations and desires to support a vulnerable community.

Under the direction of the MDSC National Program Manager, the Veteran or Veteran Family Member Volunteer, Companionship Conversationalist must be capable of working independently and will be responsible for meeting all criteria, and carrying to completion companionship calls with Veterans and/or their Family Member/s.

Location: This is a home office-based position.

Time Commitment: Two hours a month minimum.

Duties:

The Veteran or Veteran Family Member Volunteer, Companionship Conversationalist will be responsible for the following:

• Contact clients to establish a trust-based relationship and scheduling the time of the call
• Follows the companionship call script to lead into and out of the telephone conversation
• Conducts client-centered companionship phone calls with Veterans and their family members
• Schedules follow-on companionship calls
• Professionally represents MDSC at all times
• Ability to work with basic technology such as Google Forms or be willing to learn it
• Able to proficiently use technology for training purposes
• As a member of the MDSC volunteer team, participates in the MDSC Volunteer training and the Peer and Trauma Support Services (PATSS) training program prior to making companionship calls

Qualifications include:

• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to speak with ease
• Be an active and empathic listener
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• High level of comfort speaking cross-generational
• Aptitude for building strong relationships and proactively establishing ties with clients
• Have a good sense of customer service and care for the client
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong sense of discernment and judgement (particularly regarding sensitive or personal issues)
• One year commitment to working on this project
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently
• Must be prepared to provide three references, a vulnerable sector check will be required

We are looking to recruit Veterans and Veteran Family Members who reside in all Provinces and Territories in Canada.