Job Title: Move Your Mind - Workout Buddy
Interested persons can apply by clicking here
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Move Your Mind Workout Buddy Volunteer Application: Workout Buddy volunteers support Warrior Recreation's
Move Your Mind Program, and are an integral part of a community of students using physical activity to improve their wellbeing!
The Move Your Mind Program
As busy students, we often forget to prioritize our physical and mental health. However, we can't perform our best unless we feel good! This means taking time in our day to take care of ourselves. Being physically active and relieving stress is not a waste of time, especially during tough moments.
- Extensive research shows that exercise can be an effective way to prevent and treat anxiety and depression, improve mood, decrease stress, enhance self-esteem and feelings of control, encourage social interaction and improve sleep, as well as improve productivity through improved concentration. Warrior Athletics believes that every student should have access to physical activity as a way to better their mental health. The current program provides:
- One-on-one activity consultation for students with the Move Your Mind Coordinator; assessing interests, providing education and resources about on-campus recreation options, assisting with goal setting and scheduling, etc.
- Workout buddy program matching students with like-minded volunteers
- Drop-in group activities and workshops
Role of Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to act as workout buddies and participate in physical activity or recreation programming with students. Activities can include gym sessions, student clubs or any recreational programming. Volunteers must dedicate a minimum of 6-12 hours per term helping a peer feel comfortable trying a new activity and helping motivate them to reach their goals, but are encouraged to work towards meeting with their partner once a week for the term. Volunteers report to the Move Your Mind Coordinator Co-op Student. All volunteers must complete mandatory training each year in peer mentoring, inclusivity, student engagement, and Warrior Athletics facilities and programs. Every effort will be made to match volunteers with a partner; however availability and program participants may affect this.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- Complete online Peer Foundational Training modules (If you have completed this training in the past term, you do not need to complete it again)
Complete Warrior Departmental Training
- Attend a Move Your Mind training offered by Athletics (offered at flexible times)
- Act as a representative of Warrior Athletics and Health Services
- Communicate with assigned student over email/text message
- Attend recreational activities with assigned student
- Advocate for physical activity as a player in wellbeing
- Be knowledgeable about on-campus activities prior to participating with assigned student
- Become familiar and comfortable with the facilities and programs and services offered by Warrior Athletics and Health Services
- Support the student virtually and over email with empathy, motivation and encouragement before, after and during participation
- Dedicate at least 6 hours of activity time with student throughout the semester
- Complete the given paperwork and documentation necessary to participate in each activity including follow-up surveys and activity summaries
- Maintain ongoing communication with the Athletics Move Your Mind Co-op. This includes reading and responding to emails within 24 hours of receipt, keeping supervisor informed in a timely manner
Skills Required:
- Strong enthusiasm and passion for physical activity
- Excellent interpersonal and engagement skills
- Sensitive to a diverse number of issues experienced by the student population
- Previous experience with athletics or recreation an asset
- Genuine interest in helping others to improve their quality of life
- Strong professional mannerisms – be reliable, accountable and committed to the position
- Self-motivated and self-directed
- Excellent written (email) communication skills
- Ability to effectively schedule and manage time.
- Able to work independently and as a team-player
- Flexible schedule including some weekend and evening work
