Thank you so much for your interest in being a volunteer facilitator for EA Virtual Programs!
This application will always be open, as there are new rounds of programming starting the first or second week of every month. If you are hoping to facilitate for a particular round, the deadline is exactly one week before the participant application deadline for that particular round.
Note: Minors are not permitted to facilitate our programs at this time.
Why apply to facilitate for EA VP?
We think facilitating is an excellent way to make an impact and improve your own knowledge:
A high-fidelity and exciting learning experience will build a movement of people who can apply EA principles at high levels.
The act of teaching improves your own understanding of and ability to apply EA principles.
What do facilitators do?
For whichever program you facilitate, the role involves:
- Preparing for the group discussions by reading the learning materials and reviewing the facilitator guide. This takes 1-3 hours a week depending on how familiar you are with the content already.
Facilitating the weekly discussions for your cohort of 3-5 participants. This takes 1 to 1.5 hours a week for each cohort you take on.
Supporting participants with any issues they might face and submitting attendance. Occasionally, some facilitators will do 1-1s with participants too.
Attend a training and kick-off session.
Note: we expect facilitators to spend a total of 2.5 to 4 hours a week on each cohort.
What do we look for?
You might be a good fit if you:
You have (at the very least) a good understanding of the content for the specific program you want to facilitate in. You model applications and thought processes of EA principles well.
You communicate in English effectively. You explain ideas at high fidelity (accurate, sufficiently comprehensive, easily understood) and you make participants feel welcomed and excited.
You guide discussions well. There are many goals in a discussion, and you are able to balance them well (e.g. discussion contribution opportunities, Q&A opportunities, social opportunities, time, etc). You are able to build a culture of proactive learning and practising EA principles.
You are reliable and have strong organisational skills. Participants are likely to show up and do their readings when facilitators coordinate well and show up on time consistently.
You have a bit of familiarity with movement building models. The more familiar you are the better, but it’s not a requirement. We think it’s helpful for facilitators to have some reasonable and nuanced takes on how the EA community should grow.
How do we support facilitators?
Providing interactive facilitator training sessions, which are mostly optional, but one 60-90 minute training session is required when you start.
Being available to talk with you about how your sessions are going and offer our advice or feedback. You can talk to us during regularly scheduled facilitator office hours or book a time to talk one-on-one.
Finding a substitute facilitator if something comes up and you can't facilitate one of your sessions.
What does the application process look like?
Filling out this application form - <30m
Completing the trial task and asynchronous interview - <40m
Completing the live interview - 20m (we usually skip this step if we have enough information)
If you’re accepted,
Submit the sign-up form
Register for the training and kick-off session
Do I need to apply again if I have already gone through the application process?
No, you don’t. Please give us your availability by submitting this form instead.
I have a question.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at: virtualprograms@effectivealtruism.org.
The facilitator's slack channel is also a great resource to get support, advice, and feedback from other facilitators.