FAQs and Guidelines for Program Facilitators & Presenters
Should I have a Go Box? How do I request one?
One facilitator per class and support group should have a Go Box. In addition to facilitators, anyone who represents NAMI Northern Virginia at community events should have a Go Box so that they are ready to respond to a request to share information at a health fair or other community event. If you want to hand off or return your box, please e-mail us at info@nami-nova.org (or contact your Program Coordinator directly).
How do I request more Go Box materials?
We keep Go Box materials, including brochures, at our Chantilly office. If you need more supplies, please enter your request using the Program Leader Portal (or send an email to info@nami-nova.org with the subject line “Go Box Materials Needed” or get in touch with your Program Coordinator directly) and we will contact you to set up a time to meet or mail the materials. Please include your mailing address in the email, even if you think we have it. Additionally, some materials are available for download via the Program Leader portal on the NAMI Northern Virginia website.
How do I become a trained program facilitator or help others become a trained facilitator or presenter?
Send an email, or encourage others to send an e-mail, to info@nami-nova.org with the subject “Program Leader Application” and let us know which program you are interested in. We’ll send you an application form and be in touch about next steps. You can also download application forms via the NAMI Northern Virginia Program Leader portal on our website.
How do I request monetary assistance from NAMI Northern Virginia for programs?
There are very limited funds for program meetings. If you have a special request, however, please send an email to info@nami-nova.org with Subject: “Program Request” and include request details.
How do I request that a community event, meeting update, or other information be posted on the NAMI Northern Virginia website?
Send an email to info@nami-nova.org with Subject: “Website Post Request” and include the following details: date, time, location, point of contact, a short blurb about the event or item, and a link to more information (if available).
How do I report program data for classes and support groups?
1) Access the website - www.nami.org/programdata
(You can also access this link through the NAMI Northern Virginia Program Leader portal.)
2) Choose your program, e.g., F2F, P2P, Basics, FSG, or Connection; click the corresponding link.
3) A login window will pop up; log in using: username: education@nami.org password: nami
4) Enter your data!
Note that program presenters will NOT need to report program data; this is handled by the Programs Team.
How do I contact NAMI Northern Virginia staff?
If you have a general question, please email info@nami-nova.org and your email will be forwarded to the correct staff person. Or, you can feel free to contact directly the Program Coordinator relevant to your program.
How can I stay on message and avoid “hot button” items?
How can I get feedback on my presentation performance?
If you are interested in feedback beyond the comments offered in post-presentation emails/communication, please let your Program Coordinator know! We’d be happy to arrange a phone call, offer general tips via email, or share additional feedback from presentation evaluation forms.
Can I create promotional material with NAMI Northern Virginia’s logo, name, etc.?
We will work with you to create the materials you need in order to maintain our consistent brand across all materials associated with NAMI Northern Virginia. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what types of materials you need and how we can help.
How can I best serve the people I reach through my work as a NAMI Northern Virginia volunteer work?
Take good care of yourself, every day! Know and respect your personal boundaries. Reach out to others for help and support. AND . . . remember that your efforts are deeply appreciated by those you reach each day, other volunteers, NAMI Northern Virginia staff and our Board of Directors.
One facilitator per class and support group should have a Go Box. In addition to facilitators, anyone who represents NAMI Northern Virginia at community events should have a Go Box so that they are ready to respond to a request to share information at a health fair or other community event. If you want to hand off or return your box, please e-mail us at info@nami-nova.org (or contact your Program Coordinator directly).
How do I request more Go Box materials?
We keep Go Box materials, including brochures, at our Chantilly office. If you need more supplies, please enter your request using the Program Leader Portal (or send an email to info@nami-nova.org with the subject line “Go Box Materials Needed” or get in touch with your Program Coordinator directly) and we will contact you to set up a time to meet or mail the materials. Please include your mailing address in the email, even if you think we have it. Additionally, some materials are available for download via the Program Leader portal on the NAMI Northern Virginia website.
How do I become a trained program facilitator or help others become a trained facilitator or presenter?
Send an email, or encourage others to send an e-mail, to info@nami-nova.org with the subject “Program Leader Application” and let us know which program you are interested in. We’ll send you an application form and be in touch about next steps. You can also download application forms via the NAMI Northern Virginia Program Leader portal on our website.
How do I request monetary assistance from NAMI Northern Virginia for programs?
There are very limited funds for program meetings. If you have a special request, however, please send an email to info@nami-nova.org with Subject: “Program Request” and include request details.
How do I request that a community event, meeting update, or other information be posted on the NAMI Northern Virginia website?
Send an email to info@nami-nova.org with Subject: “Website Post Request” and include the following details: date, time, location, point of contact, a short blurb about the event or item, and a link to more information (if available).
How do I report program data for classes and support groups?
1) Access the website - www.nami.org/programdata
(You can also access this link through the NAMI Northern Virginia Program Leader portal.)
2) Choose your program, e.g., F2F, P2P, Basics, FSG, or Connection; click the corresponding link.
3) A login window will pop up; log in using: username: education@nami.org password: nami
4) Enter your data!
Note that program presenters will NOT need to report program data; this is handled by the Programs Team.
How do I contact NAMI Northern Virginia staff?
If you have a general question, please email info@nami-nova.org and your email will be forwarded to the correct staff person. Or, you can feel free to contact directly the Program Coordinator relevant to your program.
How can I stay on message and avoid “hot button” items?
- As a nonprofit organization, NAMI Northern Virginia is not affiliated with any religion or political stance. To protect our nonprofit status, NAMI Northern Virginia staff, volunteers and program presenters should not refer to a specific religious denomination, political belief, or political party affiliation when representing NAMI. NAMI and NAMI Northern Virginia may support initiatives that advance mental health; your personal story can go a long way to educating legislators on the related issues, without divulging personal political or religious beliefs. We understand that faith or spirituality may play an important role in your recovery! You are welcome to express this in general terms (ex. ‘My faith played a key role in my ability to accept my condition’) but not explicitly (ex. ‘I am Episcopalian, and these are my beliefs…’.)
- We may refer to medications by class (ex. SSRIs, antipsychotics) but not by name (ex. Zoloft, Lithium) since NAMI does not endorse any specific brand or treatment provider. Further, NAMI respects choice when it comes to treatment options so it is important to let your audience know that you are describing your own experience and what was successful for you, while acknowledging that others may have different experiences.
- ‘I’ statements are essential when describing personal choices and experiences (ex. ‘I find meditation to be helpful for me’ as opposed to ‘People suffering from depression should meditate as a coping skill.’) “I” statements allow others to really hear our story!
How can I get feedback on my presentation performance?
If you are interested in feedback beyond the comments offered in post-presentation emails/communication, please let your Program Coordinator know! We’d be happy to arrange a phone call, offer general tips via email, or share additional feedback from presentation evaluation forms.
Can I create promotional material with NAMI Northern Virginia’s logo, name, etc.?
We will work with you to create the materials you need in order to maintain our consistent brand across all materials associated with NAMI Northern Virginia. Please don’t hesitate to let us know what types of materials you need and how we can help.
How can I best serve the people I reach through my work as a NAMI Northern Virginia volunteer work?
Take good care of yourself, every day! Know and respect your personal boundaries. Reach out to others for help and support. AND . . . remember that your efforts are deeply appreciated by those you reach each day, other volunteers, NAMI Northern Virginia staff and our Board of Directors.
PROGRAM TIPS
Tips for Successful Meetings:
1. Notify group members of meeting changes. Include us on your group email list to insure that we are aware of and can help spread the word about cancellations or other meeting changes (via website, etc.)
1. Notify group members of meeting changes. Include us on your group email list to insure that we are aware of and can help spread the word about cancellations or other meeting changes (via website, etc.)
