Group Leaders make our mission possible.

Our volunteer Group Leaders create a welcoming space for new parents to share, connect, and support one another. They don't have all the answers, but they are passionate about facilitating engaging discussions which help parents generate ideas, find information, and build neighborhood communities together.

“As a doula, it’s important to me to volunteer with organizations like PIP who support the wellbeing of new parents and their families. PIP is one of the only organizations I know of in Austin with peer-to-peer support.”

-Brenda, PIP Group Leader 2022

Group leaders have been PIP alumni, parents themselves, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, birth professionals, and other Austinites who are passionate about fostering peer-to-peer connection.

If this sounds like you, read on to find out how you can become a Group Leader.

Ready to apply? We're excited to meet you! Use the button below to get started.

Requirements

We love our facilitators to be parents themselves, but it is not a requirement. We appreciate warm, sensitive communicators who are accepting of varied child-rearing practices and diverse lifestyles. Interest in early childhood development, postpartum support, experience in education or facilitation, or previous PIP Group participation are welcome bonuses.

Leaders commit to working with their group for 8-12 consecutive weeks (or fewer if you choose to co-lead with a friend, spouse, partner or colleague - more on co-leading below). PIP provides specialized training for every Group Leader, and Group Leaders have access to experienced PIP mentorship. 

Tdap Policy - To protect the precious babies in the PIP Groups, ALL Group Leaders are encouraged to be up to date on the Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccination (Tdap). 

Support

It's our job to help you have a wonderful, fun, and rewarding experience as a Group Leader. We've designed lots of resources for you, and provide training and support all along the way. The information below outline key details about the role, and includes answers to prospective Group Leaders' most frequently asked questions.

Training
Volunteers attend one 2-hour training session, and watch about 2 hours worth of online modules. Training explains the structure of a PIP meeting and provides practice with active listening, group dynamics, meeting planning, and discussion facilitation. Our training is designed to provide new skills and prepare you to lead a group, whether you are a seasoned facilitator or new to the experience. 

Leader Manual
Each Group Leader receives resources that provides detailed information and all the tools you'll need to plan meetings, guide discussions, and support new parents.

Guidance and Mentorship
PIP staff will be available throughout your Group Leader experience to answer questions, provide suggestions, and help you navigate sensitive situations if they arise.

Logistics and Flexibility

PIP works very hard to make a Group Leader's job straightforward while respecting busy schedules, aiming to minimize travel and logistical concerns so you can focus on leading your group.

Schedule
Group Leaders work with PIP to choose the time and day of the week their group will meet. Typically, daytime groups begin anytime in the 10am to 1pm window and occur on weekends, while evening groups start around 6pm generally on weeknights.

Time Commitment
Newborn PIP Groups are 10 weeks long, Baby PIP Groups are 8 weeks long, and WhatsApp groups are 12 weeks long. It is possible to take a week off to accommodate a vacation, or line up a substitute to accommodate illness or a special situation. On average, leaders dedicate 4 hours a week including preparation, travel, meeting time, and communication with PIP staff and their group.

Co-Leading
This is a wonderful way to divide the time commitment and double the resources for group participants. Co-leaders typically attend the first and last meeting together, and either co-lead or alternate meetings in-between. This helps accommodate busy schedules and allows childcare swaps if need be. It also makes planning and leading groups a more fun, social experience!

Co-leaders are most successful when they are previously acquainted with one another and decide to lead together. Think creatively when inviting a co-leader; consider asking a friend from your PIP Group, a colleague or friend who has also participated in a PIP Group, or even someone who hasn't been a part of a PIP Group. Leading with a friend who is new to Austin or new to PIP is a great way to introduce new folks to the PIP community. PIP participants especially appreciate the opportunity to hear perspectives from leaders of both genders.

Meeting Location
PIP Group meetings are in-person at community locations hosted by our Community Partners or are hybrid groups that meet virtually with at least 2 in-person meets ups planned during the course of the group.

Travel
PIP strives to form groups according to geographic area, which means you can lead a group near where you live or work. We cluster groups as tightly as possible within neighborhoods and/or zip codes, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate families as quickly as possible after babies are born. Most groups travel less than 5 miles to a meeting, and members will be consulted before they are asked to travel farther distances.

Childcare
We ask our volunteers to facilitate meetings without their own children in tow so they can give their full attention to the parents. PIP leaders are very resourceful about finding child care. For example: co-leaders can swap playdates, evening volunteers may have coverage at home, and some even pair with another Group Leader who can handle child care each week while the other leads their group and vice versa.

Vacation
It is not unusual for a volunteer to need to be absent for a week, whether for a planned or unplanned event. With advanced notice, PIP is usually able to find a substitute for a meeting. Alternatively, a group may decide to meet on their own for one week, and extend the session to an 11th (Newborn)/9th (Baby) week that the leader can attend. Our goal is to ensure that families enjoy 10 (Newborn)/8 (Baby) facilitated meetings, however we can most seamlessly achieve it.

Thanks again for your interest in leading a group! If you're ready to take the next step, click the button below to apply. We look forward to hearing from you!