Volunteering in SSAA 

At the heart of successful meetings lies a significant role: the Meeting Facilitator. This role, primarily filled by a dedicated volunteer, is essential for ensuring that meetings run smoothly and efficiently. 

• A Meeting Facilitator is the person responsible for guiding the flow of a meeting. Their primary task is reading the opening and closing scripts, and they set the tone for the meeting ensuring every voice is valued. 

• If at any point during the meeting the facilitator feels overwhelmed or uncertain, they are empowered to say "pass" and invite others to step in and share the role. This approach encourages teamwork and collaboration, allowing the meeting to continue moving forward.

• The meeting facilitator also acknowledges survivors who have raised their virtual hands to express a desire to share their insights. By doing so, the facilitator fosters an inclusive and warm environment.

• Additionally, the facilitator can gently nudge survivors who haven't spoken up to share. For example, by saying, "Is there anyone who hasn't shared that would like to? No pressure."

•   Volunteering for the Meeting Facilitator role is a tremendous opportunity. It allows individuals to develop essential soft skills such as maintaining order through communication, leadership, and collaboration. Moreover, it builds confidence and empowers survivors to share their trauma in a safe environment.

In today’s digital landscape, virtual meetings require increasingly crucial roles. The Zoom host plays a pivotal role in ensuring the meeting runs safely and smoothly as 'the guardian of the Zoom room'. However, it the Zoom host is different from the meeting facilitator. The scope of Zoom Host roles include:​​

• Access to the following settings:

  • Chat settings: You can set the chat features to include chatting with Everyone, Host/Cohost, etc.​

  • Mute/unmute or turn video cameras off/on for participants.

  • Rename participants if they are unable to (we require first name only in SSAA meetings)

  • Enable a waiting room, if needed and control who enters (useful in closed meetings)

  • Security Settings: Enable or disable screen-sharing, chat, recording, video on/off, etc.

  • Enable Breakout Rooms to allow smaller groups of survivors to group up separately

  • Initiate polls or share notes with participants if needed (useful in business meetings)

  • Remove participants in case of "zoom bombing" or breaches of guidelines (use with caution)

[SSAA offers its designated Zoom room's "host key" upon request and approval through our contact email or the WIRE app.]

In the Sexual Assault Survivors Anonymous (SSAA) community, the role of screen-sharing has become an invaluable tool in enhancing our meetings and fostering a sense of connection among members. Integrating screen-sharing into our gatherings is not required, but it improves the overall meeting experience for survivors (especially in the case of sharing Book Club literature!). Screen sharing allows us to visually engage with the material as it’s read. This practice not only makes our literature accessible but also cultivates a collective focus, reinforcing communal healing. Typically, a volunteer steps forward to initiate this process at the beginning of each meeting, providing mutual support. As we collaborate in this manner, we empower each other to collaborate to transform our pain into resilience, demonstrating how technology can meaningfully enhance our shared healing experience. Autonomous meetings may approach this role in whatever way they choose and opt to assin any meeting role in advance of the meeting.

To foster a sense of community and shared responsibility, any participant is welcome to volunteer to read various texts at any time during the meeting. This can include excerpts from the meeting script, literature addressing the principles of recovery, or even passages from the 12 Steps handbook. By inviting participants to engage in this way, we not only empower individuals to contribute to the group dynamic but also support the meeting facilitator in guiding discussions more smoothly. Additionally, the important role as reader alleviates some of the pressure on the facilitator, allowing them to focus on leading the conversation and ensuring the meeting maintains a respectful, warm tone empowering healing among fellow survivors.

SSAA meetings focus on creating a safe and supportive environment for survivors to share their experiences and feelings. Within this context, any participant is welcome to volunteer as a timekeeper, utilizing the Zoom in-app timer to maintain the flow of discussion. This role is optional and serves to respect the needs and comfort levels of the group. Keeping time can help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share without feeling rushed or overwhelmed, promoting a balanced dialogue that honors each voice.

• When deciding whether to keep time in a meeting, it is essential that all participants have a voice in the decision-making process through a group consensus where every member feels respected and heard.

• The flexibility to choose when to implement a timer allows for meetings to adapt to the unique dynamics of each gathering. In some instances, timekeeping may be particularly beneficial to ensure that discussions remain focused, while in other cases, a more open-ended flow may be preferred.

Trusted and willing volunteers gather to create various committees that materialize from the various needs of SSAA's inner-workings behind the scenes. Committees strive to enact positive change and help keep SSAA ever-evolving and effective for its survivors. These committees are vital for the organization's smooth operation. For example:

• Host Key Committee: As listed above, meetings require a volunteer to claim host.  We welcome trusted survivors to join the "Host Key" committee that communicates in our Wire group chats.

• Website Committee: SSAA members willing to assist with website management can help us maintain an informative and user-friendly online presence, ensuring that resources are up-to-date with our group's practices and easily accessible to survivors. Contact us to to request admission to this committee.

• Newcomer Welcoming Committee: By welcoming new members and providing them with support and information about SSAA, volunteers help ease the transition for those navigating a challenging path towards healing.

  • Newcomer orientations are another essential function where volunteers can make an impact. Trusted survivors are encouraged to volunteer in our efforts to vet newcomers maintain a safe space for survivors. This committee communicates in Wire group chats.

• Wire Chat administrators: These volunteers help SSAA by managing the platform (Wire) that provides support for survivors in a digital space. Administrators help add newcomers into our Wire chatrooms, as well as being given various other administrative permissions within the app.

Starting an SSAA meeting, whether online or in-person, is a powerful way for participants to share hope and support within the survivor community. SSAA's Step 12 states:

• "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other survivors and practice these principles in all our endeavors."

Any individual who has experienced the healing power of the SSAA can feel welcome to initiate a meeting, bringing together those who seek solace and understanding. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, facilitators can help survivors confront the challenges associated with their trauma and provide an opportunity for shared healing. Click Here to see SSAA's step-by-step guide to starting a new meeting (experienced SSAA members are invited to apply to start a new meeting using the form on our website). In addition, see our Meeting Formats page for inspiration on how to conduct specific meeting types or even suggest adding new ones to the list!