The Listening Connection Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Listener? WHO MAY SERVE AS A LISTENER? Any NSP Presvytera who has time and love to give to a fellow sister Presvytera may volunteer to serve as a listener. However, it is important to be aware that TLC volunteers cannot diagnose, advise, counsel or provide treatment of any kind. Therefore, licensed professionals (e.g., in the fields of medicine, nursing, counseling, psychotherapy, social work, and law) should not serve as volunteer listeners. Because this is a purely volunteer program for fellowship and outreach only, no formal application process is required and no screening of volunteers is conducted by NSP. However, the NSP specifically reserves the right to prohibit any individual from serving as a volunteer listener at the NSP's sole discretion, if it feels that the involvement of such individual violates the guidelines in this policy, or does not promote the spirit, purpose, and goals of the NSP. Presvyteres wishing to volunteer should contact the TLC chairwoman, who shall be appointed by the NSP. Prior to participation in TLC, listeners shall be required to sign a statement indicating that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with this TLC Policy and Guidelines. TRAINING FOR VOLUNTEER LISTENERS Volunteer listeners should complete a training seminar in listening skills prior to their participation with TLC. Such training seminars should emphasize the role of the volunteer as a "listener" rather than a counselor. Two possible seminars are (1) Equipping Ministries International (which is a Christian based program) or (2) Contact USA (which is a secular program). These two programs provide seminars in various parts of the country and should be available to Presvyteres in most locations. However, these seminars are not available in a particular part of the country, or if a Presvytera wishes to complete a different seminar or receive an exception to these general requirements, she should contact the TLC chairwoman. The NSP does not endorse any listening training program or seminar and reserves the right to change the above seminar list. Training/seminar costs are the sole responsibility of the listener, as the NSP is unable to make funds available for such a program at this time. (Note: The cost of the seminars listed above is approximately $200.00). The chairwoman of TLC shall assist each volunteer in identifying and scheduling participation in a listening training seminar. Please contact Shyla Hadzellis if you are interested in becoming a volunteer listener. She is available at 617-530-0884 or shyla@hadzellis.com. Return to TLC main page. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America | Ecumenical Patriarchate   This site is managed by Presvytera Pauline H. Pavlakos. Please send comments about this site to Presvytera Pauline. Page last updated: June 27, 2008