Small Group Meetings for Direct Service Providers and Prevention Educators

Spring 2010 Meetings

PCAR’s Standards for Volunteer Files Maintenance

Ever wonder what should be in your files for volunteers?  Well, this webinar is your go-to place to get all your questions answered.  Only 25 minutes long, PCAR Staff walks you through everything you need to consider when opening, closing, maintaining confidentiality, and organizing volunteer files according to PCAR’s standards.  Plus, there are customizable example handouts for everything PCAR requires!   If you have any questions afterwards, feel free to contact the Training and Technical Assistance Team  and we will be happy to assist you.

Download accompanying handouts

Fall Meetings

PCAR Standards for SAC Training

This webinar is great for everyone – both seasoned and new advocates alike – who are involved in the Volunteer Sexual Assault Counselor  Training at their center.  PCAR covers why the Sexual Assault Counselor training is 40 hours long; PCAR’s process of syllabus approval; acceptable vs. unacceptable practices; curricula, resources, and forums available to volunteer coordinators; and downloadable examples of approved syllabi!  If you have any questions on this webinar or anything related to it, please feel free to contact the Technical Assistance Team at PCAR and we will be happy to assist you.

Download accompanying documents (.zip - 5.6Megs)

Fact Sheet

What is the purpose of Small Group Meetings?
The purpose of PCAR’s small group meetings is to provide direct service providers, volunteer coordinators and prevention educators the opportunity to network and exchange valuable information and ideas in a comfortable and open setting. In addition, small group meetings create a forum in which staff members from local centers can connect with PCAR and state-level advocacy efforts, hear from speakers, receive trainings, and engage in round-table discussions on a variety of issues affecting sexual violence victims and communities throughout the Commonwealth. Small group meetings build upon existing expertise of rape crisis center advocates and offer new skills and information.

When and Where do Small Group Meetings Convene?
Small group meetings meet quarterly (from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) in various locations in the Western, Central, and Eastern regions of Pennsylvania for the direct service providers and prevention educators. Due to the lower number of volunteer coordinators, the regions will be divided into east and west, allowing those in the central region to choose the location they prefer. As of fiscal year 06—07, PCAR will host three small group meetings in each region of the state (in the fall, winter, and summer) and one ASAC (Association for Sexual Assault Centers) conference, in a central location of the state in the spring. The ASAC conference—provided by PCAR’s Training and Technical Assistance Department—provides direct service providers, prevention educators, volunteer coordinators, administrators, and others with opportunities to receive and present more formal trainings beyond the scope of the small group meetings.

Tentative Schedule for FY 06—07 (locations to be determined)

Small group meetings run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This gives people enough time to travel to and from meetings. Locations are to be determined.

Who is Responsible for Coordinating Small Group Meetings?

PCAR’s Technical Assistance Coordinator (x 117) and Education & Resource Coordinator (x115) collaboratively coordinate the small group meetings. The Technical Assistance Coordinator focuses on direct service and volunteer coordinator content while the Education & Resource Coordinator focuses on prevention education.

What is the role of PCAR staff?

The role of PCAR staff is that of planner, facilitator, and presenter at the small group meetings.

As planners, PCAR staff members schedule meeting dates and choose locations; develop meeting agendas with the input of direct service providers and prevention educators; recruit and schedule speakers and provide them with necessary equipment.

As facilitators, PCAR staff members help generate discussions among participants on topics that are of interest/relevance to said participants.

As presenters, PCAR staff members bring updates, announcements, resources and information from PCAR; provide direct service providers and prevention educators with assistance and support in doing their jobs at the local level; and occasionally formally present on various topics/issues.

What is the role of Regional Chairpersons?

The Regional Chairpersons will volunteer to help coordinate their individual region’s meetings for the year. Each region will have at least two chairpersons: one for direct service providers and one for prevention educators. Responsibilities will include identifying and recruiting speakers; leading, facilitating, and/or presenting at meetings; and assisting with developing meeting agendas. The Regional Chairperson will be responsible for coordinating with PCAR to identify trends and needs in their region.

What is the role of Host Agencies?

The host agency is an agency that volunteers to hold a regional meeting in their community—either at their center or a local facility with technological capacity for showing presentations, videos, etc. The host agency will also be responsible for typing up directions to the meeting site and sending them to PCAR for distribution. Also, the host agency will be responsible for coordinating lunch for the day, whether that be providing a list of local places to go for food or organizing the collection of money for ordering in.