Policies

GLOW employs three specific policies that volunteers must maintain when in the office and at events to continue to fulfill the duties and functions of GLOW.  Below are adapted versions of the full policies

Safe Space Policy

GLOW – The Queer and Questioning Community Centre aims to provide awareness, support and education for individuals who may or may not identify as queer and questioning.  Since GLOW seeks to serve the queer community and educate the campus about the queer community, creating spaces where anyone can feel comfortable to share their experiences and learn from others is of utmost importance.  GLOW encourages its volunteers, and those who interact with our service to adhere to and constructively enforce the following adapted principles that were originally developed by TransACTION, a community group in Victoria, BC.

  • Respect your personal boundaries, and the boundaries of others – physically, mentally and emotionally.
  • Speak up if something makes you uncomfortable.  Communicate your needs, as you are able.
  • Remember that one is welcome to take time away from the group or space should that individual feel that they need time alone.
  • Ask for consent before engaging in physical contact.  It is important to remember that consent is not always implied, even with those that one is typically very close to.
  • Work to avoid making assumptions about the identity, experience and/or history of other people.
  • Respect the privacy of information, narratives and experiences that others share.
  • Assume that others are acting and speaking from a place of positive intent.
  • Share an open and respectful learning environment with others present.
  • Be aware of the effects of your own behaviour and take responsibility for what you say or do.
  • Be open to being challenged by others if you make a mistake, remembering that everyone makes mistakes.
  • Avoid attacking others when challenging others about the mistakes they have made.
  • Avoid presenting your opinions and ideas as fact by speaking with “I” statements.  e.g. “I feel…” “I think…”

These principles run on the underlying value of RESPECT.  When one is being respectful of others in the office or at an event, the overall atmosphere will be open and those present can extract the greatest benefit.

Confidentiality Policy

The work of GLOW – The Queer and Questioning Community Centre (GLOW) volunteers is intended to be confidential.  The details of some telephone calls, community centre visits, meeting requests, documentation, and similar confidential activities are of a sensitive nature, often relating to personal experiences.  To protect individuals  who use GLOW peer-support services:

  1. One should not discuss the details of any telephone call, community centre visit, meeting request of similar confidential activities of GLOW, whether that knowledge is based on direct participation or shared by another volunteer.
  2. One should not discuss the personal content of any documentation (e.g. log sheets, forms, and files stored on computers/digital mediums) maintained by GLOW.
  3. One should not allow unauthorized individuals (including friends or family) to enter the centre when they may overhear peer-support telephone calls, interrupt prescheduled visits, and/or read private documentation, particularly log sheets , forms, and filed stored on computers and other digital mediums, maintained by GLOW; or
  4. One should not reveal information that would indicate that any individual is affiliated in any way with GLOW – The Queer and Questioning Community Centre, without that individual’s consent.

Note: There are occasions in wish volunteers may wish or be obligated to discuss their volunteering experiences with other individuals.

  • If volunteers are unsure of how to handle a situation or answer a question, they may speak to a Coordinator without giving identifiable information about an individual in the discussion.  These types of conversations would ideally take place in person, in a private location, to avoid being overheard.
  • Volunteers are obligated to report, and therefore break confidentiality, in the following circumstances: if an individual discloses abuse of a person under the age of 16, or if they pose a serious physical risk to themselves or others.  Volunteers are encouraged to speak with a Coordinator and Counselling Services in any circumstance in any instance in which they feel follow-up is necessary.

In addition to the confidentiality requirements above, it is importance to keep in mind that not all volunteers, visitors, and other individuals will identify as queer, and that not everyone will choose to be open about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity to all of their friends, family and coworkers.  It is important to respect the confidentiality of any individuals encountered as a GLOW volunteer, but avoid making assumptions about the identity of any individuals.  When encountering anyone met through GLOW in another location, avoid indicating any affiliation of the other individual with GLOW, unless you have that person’s consent.

Inclusion Policy

GLOW – The Queer and Questioning Community Centre (GLOW) designates itself as an organization committed to promoting inclusion within the University of Waterloo, and in the wider community.  GLOW recognizes that there are many communities that come together to form the queer community.  Therefore, volunteers are expected to promote the creation of inclusive environments for all forms of diversity, including (but not limited to) the queer community.

Even within the queer community trans-negativity, bi-negativity, sexism and stereotypes surrounding queer identities continue to act as barriers to a fully inclusive environment.  GLOW aims to be a leader among queer campus organizations in ensuring that its spaces are intolerant of these attitudes.  GLOW is open and inviting of individuals of all sexual orientations, sexual identities and gender identities, and constantly seeks to improve its services and events to recognize and include awareness and education of typically marginalized queer communities.

GLOW also recognizes that other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, ageism, ableism, religious prejudice, xenophobia and other stereotypes exist in the greater community.  Those who represent GLOW as volunteers, and those who access the service, will be expected to be respectful of the diversity of opinions that individuals may hold.  However, the expression of opinions and ideas that are counter-productive to the creation of safe spaces within the community centre or at GLOW events will not be tolerated.