VOX: The Voice of Our Generation

About Us
Through VOX Teen Communications, a non-profit youth-development organization, Atlanta-area teenagers from diverse backgrounds develop skills to express themselves and build a strong community. VOX Teen Communications' primary after-school program is the VOX newspaper, the South's only citywide newspaper and Web site created by teens for everyone. VOX Teen Newspaper is distributed free to young people in public and private high schools, health clinics and youth-serving agencies in metro Atlanta, has a circulation of more than 30,000 and has a readership of 80,000.

Eligibility
Volunteers are community members who are interested in sharing their time and expertise with VOX. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. Volunteers should also understand and further the mission of raising youth voices and youth leadership both in the VOX office and offsite during VOX activities. Those serving should be communications professionals with more than one year of professional experience and other caring adults with experience in writing, art, photography, graphic design, Web design, teaching, marketing/PR, fundraising or administrative assistance.

Commitment
Volunteers are expected to commit to at least the duration of the project that they are supporting. Volunteers who are serving as coaches are expected to come into the VOX office at least twice a month for the duration of the school year.

Thank you for your time in completing the following application. The information you provide assists us with determining if our volunteer opportunities are a good match for your interests. All the information you provide is confidential and for internal use only.

If you have questions, please call (404) 614-0040 or email Jenny Williams, Operations Manager.

1. Tell us about you:

Name:
Home Address:
City:
Zip Code:
Employer:
Position:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Fax (optional):
Email:

What is your preferred way for us to contact you?
Home Phone
Work Phone
Email
Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy):

Please list two references other than a relative: one who is familiar with your professional work and one personal reference.
Professional:Phone:
Personal:Phone:

Do you have a prior criminal record? If so, please explain:

How did you hear about VOX?

What interests you about volunteering with VOX?

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

Do you have any experience working with children and/or teenagers? If so, please explain:

2. How do you want to serve VOX Teen Communications?
Which of the following Volunteer Opportunities interests you? Please check all that apply.
Story Coach: This mentor works one-on-one with teens, providing support on writing stories for VOX. Examples of activities include supporting a teen with edits; helping a teen brainstorm a story idea; helping a teen focus once they have a general concept for a story; role playing interview questions with a teen; and proofreading the final draft of a story. Needed qualifications include education and/or professional experience within the communications/journalism field and understanding of AP style.
Art & Graphic Design Coach: This mentor works one-on-one with teens supporting them in art and graphic design. Examples of tasks include assisting teens as they create original drawings, photography, paintings and collages, and design the VOX newspaper. Needed qualifications: experience with illustration, photography, and/or graphic design; knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or InDesign.
Web Design Coach: This mentor supports teens in maintaining the www.voxrox.org web site. Needed Qualifications: Knowledge and experience with HTML coding and web design.
Identity-based Writing Group Facilitator: Girls' Group, Guys' Group, and Alphabet Soup Group (for GLBTQ teens) are identity-based writing groups that help inspire and empower teens around issues of identity through discussion of cultural issues and personal experiences. Each group has youth facilitators supported by adult volunteers, sets its own agenda, and implements writing and community action projects of their choice.
Which group are you interested in supporting?
Workshop Facilitator: Work with our Program Director to design a dynamic, interactive, educational workshop related to journalism and communications, art, creative writing, spoken word, or community organizing. Workshops typically range from 1-2 hours (occasionally longer if the workshop involves a project or activity) and must be responsive to the needs and interests of teen participants.
Take-a-Teen-to-Work Mentor: On days when school is out (teacher work days; spring or winter break), allow a VOX teen to "shadow" you at work.
Tips for Teachers Coordinator: For each issue of VOX, teachers are provided a curriculum guide that incorporates VOX stories in lesson plans. During layout, this coordinator works independently or with a group of teachers and other community leaders to create 6-7 lesson plan ideas for each issue.
Copy Editor: Each issue of VOX needs to be carefully edited once it is in its final form. These volunteers commit to volunteering on the day or two before we go to press, reading through the final draft of the paper and making final edits. This can be an ongoing or a one-time commitment.
Graduation Countdown Facilitator: These once-a-month meetings help youth set and achieve goals for life after high school while supporting one another. Topics range from writing a college essay to understanding financial responsibility. Volunteers can plan and facilitate a meeting with one of the teen leaders or help arrange for someone else to come to the VOX office to speak.
Marketing and Promotions: Work with Board members and staff to advance the organization through marketing, public relations and other promotional activities. Some activities will focus on promoting VOX's two fund raising events, while others will focus on advancing public awareness of the organization as a whole.
Fundraising: Work with the Executive Director, Development & Communication Director and Board members to plan fund-raising activities; host small events of your own like a house party, yard sale, or other fundraiser; help research foundations, grant-makers, and corporate sponsors and help write proposals; or solicit items from our Wish List.
Help Distribute VOX: Work with VOX's adult staff to help research and make connections with schools and youth-serving organizations that don't currently receive VOX; invite new youth agencies to become distributors of VOX; invite youth to join the VOX staff. This may include making presentations at youth agencies or schools around Atlanta.
Other: Do you want to support us in a way we have not included? Tell us here!

Please list any related educational and/or work experience:

Dates Involved	Organization/School	Your Position	Your Tasks

If applicable, please list any previous volunteer experience (no experience is necessary to volunteer with VOX).

Dates Involved Organization/School Your Position Your Tasks

Additional Comments:

3. Agreement of VOX Teen Communications Policies
In connection with my voluntary involvement in activities undertaken for and with the participation and support of VOX Teen Communications, a non-profit youth-development organization, I hereby agree, for myself, my heirs, assigns, executors, and administrators to release and discharge VOX, its officers and directors, employees, agents, and volunteers from all claims, demands, and action for injuries sustained to my person and/or property as a result of my involvement in such activities, whether or not resulting from negligence, and I agree to release and hold VOX, its officers and directors, employees, agents and volunteers harmless from any cause or action, claim, or suit arising therefrom. I hereby attest that my attendance and involvement in such activities is voluntary, that I am participating at my own risk, and that I have read the foregoing terms and conditions of this release. I will not operate any vehicle while engaged in a VOX activity without a valid Georgia driver's license, and valid and collectible automobile insurance, nor while under the influence of alcohol or any narcotic drug; nor will I drive recklessly or in excess of the speed limit or violate any traffic laws while operating or using any vehicle or allow it be used for any illegal purpose. I have never been convicted of or charged with any felony traffic offenses involving the use of alcohol or drugs. I hereby confirm, represent and warrant that I have never been convicted of or charged with a violent crime, child abuse or neglect, child pornography, child abduction, kidnapping, rape or any sexual offense, nor have I ever been ordered by a court to receive psychiatric or psychological treatment in connection therewith. I will not engage in illegal activities in connection with VOX teens (such as purchasing alcohol or tobacco products for VOX teens) or socialize with VOX teens outside of VOX activities.
I hearby agree to the terms and conditions outlined by VOX Teen Communications