OSPN LGBTQ2+ Educational Services Program

 Characteristics of the 2021 Approach

• Relationship-Building with the organization, within OSPN
• Progressive Self-Assessment for organizations and volunteers
• Comprehensive Action Plan (e.g., three services)
• Flexibility: format, duration, content of the work within organizations
• Coherent and unified key objectives and messages
• Sustained support for volunteers: twinning, updated roster, debriefing, quarterly forums, access to Google Docs
• Impact Monitoring : organizations, volunteers, OSPN
• Integration of diversity awareness: in organizations, in OSPN, in our community

OSPN LGBTQ2+ Inclusive Services

Objectives and Key Messages for LGBTQ2+ Inclusive Services

Objective: INTRO—Foster a learning climate

Key Messages: 

• We are part of the people you serve.
• We want you to know us better so you can do a better job of serving us.
• We want this session to be a safe space for you to learn.

Objective: WHAT—Better understand the reality of LGBTQ2+  seniors

Key Messages: 

• Individual persons stories are both specific and representative of many stories.
• Information about our health conditions, families, discrimination are parts of the broader picture of our reality.
• We have been sinners, mentally ill or criminals for much of our history.
• We are very diverse but share some common elements.

Objective: SO WHAT—Better understand the impact of the reality of LGBTQ2+ seniors

Key Messages: 

• We are more likely to be sick, alone, abused, depressed.
• We can fear reaching out to services because of our individual and collective history.
• Some organizations think we don’t exist (“No one has ever said they are gay here”) or deny our existence (“He or she has kids so can’t be LGBTQ”)
• Some organizations sort of acknowledge we exist (“If we have any, we treat them like everyone else”)

Objective: NOW WHAT—Clarify how to better serve LGBTQ2+ seniors

Key Messages: 

• Culturally-responsive services are small steps for you and your organization in an on-going process
• Change requires commitment from every level in the organization.
• Individuals can be allies in what they say and do.
• Organizations need to start by being explicit about us: if you do not explicitly include us, you implicitly exclude us.
• Organizations need to assume some of their clients are LGBTQ2+ even if no one has self-declared.
• Organizations need to acknowledge that treating everyone the same doesn’t always serve us or other unique populations.
• Organizations can look at many aspects to see what can be more LGBTQ2+inclusive eg. their programming, governance, staff (hiring, training, evaluation), practices and policies.
• It is a win-win situation for your organization and for us.

OSPN LGBTQ2+ Inclusive Services Program

Role Descriptions

Group Session Facilitator

This role involves:

• working with the OSPN Program Coordinator before the session (organizational needs assessment, logistics and other planning)
• preparing to facilitate the session: take into account proposed general session outline, making changes with other activities or resources as needed according to needs assessment
• facilitating or co-facilitating the session virtually or in person as per your stated preferences
• following up on the session: summarizing for the Program Coordinator and suggesting further action

OSPN would offer these kinds of support:

• the Program Coordinator as the main contact with the organization and in terms of needs assessment, logistics info, etc.
• session generic outline and materials
• support from another facilitator during preparation if needed
• advice in order to modify generic outline and access alternative materials if needed
• a co-facilitator if preferred whenever possible
• technical support if needed

Speaking Engagements Presenter

This role involves:

• working with the OSPN Program Coordinator before the presentation (organizational needs assessment, logistics and other planning)
• preparing to present: reviewing notes on key messages and other relevant materials, adding your own speaking notes
• making the presentation virtually or in person as per your stated preferences
• following up on the presentation: summarizing for the Program Coordinator and suggesting further action

OSPN would offer these kinds of support:

• the Program Coordinator as the main contact with the organization and in terms of needs assessment, logistics info, etc.
• key messages and other materials
• support from another speaker during preparation if needed
• advice in order to access alternative materials if needed
• technical support if needed

Organization Development Advisor

This role involves:

• working with the OSPN Program Coordinator before working with the organization (organizational needs assessment, logistics and other planning)
• preparing to work with the organization: consult and choose relevant materials, making changes as needed according to needs assessment; prepare personal notes
• working with organizational representatives virtually or in person as per your stated preferences
• following up on your work: summarizing for the Program Coordinator and suggesting further action

OSPN would offer these kinds of support:

• the Program Coordinator as the main contact with the organization and in terms of needs assessment, logistics info, etc.
• guides, tool kits and other materials
• support from another advisor during preparation if needed
• advice in order to modify materials if needed

OSPN LGBTQ2+ Inclusive Services Program

LGBTQ-Friendly Good Practices Checklist