Expectations of POW! Peer Educators

Peer educators meet weekly. The exact weeknight and time depends upon members' schedules. We determine the meeting night at the beginning of each new semester. Typically we have a one-hour-long meeting per week or a two-hour meeting every other week, again depending on what is going on. This is also decided by the group each semester. Regular meetings are mandatory, within certain limits, so that the group can remain cohesive. If a peer educator misses many meetings, he/she is usually considered inactive for that semester. Infrequently smaller groups will meet bi-weekly to make plans and work on ideas in addition to the regular meetings. Meetings sometimes include dinner. There is a welcome-back meeting every fall and an end-of-the-year awards banquet at a restaurant every spring.

Training is always mandatory for new members, but experienced peers are welcome to come and be cross-trained in a new health topic area and are also called on to help out with certain aspects of training every spring. Training is usually at the student centers or the Student Health Service. Training dates and times vary every spring. See the Training Information page for this year's dates and times.

There are two functioning topic groups in which peers are trained: human sexuality, which includes all aspects of sexuality; and eating disorders, which includes fitness and nutritional concepts. Additionally, all peer educators are trained in general helping skills, programming skills, and making referrals to appropriate on-campus and off-campus resources. They all are trained in methods of stress management, massage, and tobacco cessation, too. And, as a group, we are exploring complimentary health or alternative health concepts.

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Wellspring Student Wellness Program • 231 South College Ave. Newark, DE 19716 • 302-831-3457