Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Summit 2020 - Volunteer Application

The Massachusetts GSA Student Leadership Summit will take place August 14th-17th, 2020 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Summit is a multi-day conference for high school students who are selected for seats on the coming school year's Massachusetts
GSA Leadership Council. Complete this application to be considered for a volunteer position at  both the Summit and a full year's participation in the Council.We are looking for volunteers in regions across the state: Greater Boston, Central, Northeast, Southeast, and Western (self-selecting, but let us know if you have questions about the regions).

The GSA Leadership Council is a project of the Safe Schools Program for LGBTQ Students, a joint initiative of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth. The Massachusetts GSA Leadership Council creates and informs policy, promotes inclusive learning environments for all students, supports the development of leadership skills, and fosters statewide collaboration among LGBTQ students and allies. Students develop and implement projects designed to make changes in local schools, districts and regions. Volunteers support this programming by attending meetings, mentoring students, and sharing their experience and knowledge with students in their regions. Volunteers attend a meeting every month, 5 in their own region, and 5 in Malden, MA for the statewide council where students plan their regional meetings. The meetings take place from 9:00 -1:00 PM on school days.

Volunteer Eligibility:
1. All volunteers are required to have completed high school or its equivalency.
2. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age by the application submission date.
2. Volunteers must live or attend college in Massachusetts through the 2020-21 school year (preferably in the region you're applying to support).

Accepted volunteers will be expected to attend two mandatory volunteer trainings and one Regional GSA Leadership Council Meeting in June and arrive in Amherst on Friday, August 14th at 3:00PM. See the June meeting dates here. 

This application must be completed in one session, The application contains both demographic information and short-answer questions. Please plan to spend about 20 minutes filling it out. 

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on April 15th, 2020. Applicants will be notified regarding their status by May 15th, 2020. Please contact the Safe Schools Program by email with any questions: safeschoolsprogram@doe.mass.edu