Logistics & Flexibility

 

PEPS works very hard 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.

Facilitator's role

As a leader, your primary focus is to establish a safe, caring environment in which new parents can support each other and exchange information. 

Schedule

Newborn  facilitators choose the time and day of week their group will meet. Typically, weekday groups begin anytime in the 10am to 3 pm window, and evening/weekend groups start between 6pm and 7pm. Baby Peppers and Second Time Around group meeting times and locations are set by the PEPS office. 

Time commitment

Each PEPS Newborn session is 12-weeks long (8-11 for Baby Peppers and Second Time Around, depending on the time of year). 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 PEPS office and your 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 week together, alternating meetings in between, which helps accommodate busy schedules and allows childcare swaps if need be. 

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 PEPS, a colleague or friend who has also been through PEPS, or even somebody who hasn't been part of a PEPS group. Leading with a friend who's new to Seattle or new to PEPS is a great way to introduce new folks to the PEPS community. PEPS participants especially appreciate the opportunity to hear perspectives from leaders of both genders. 

Meeting location

Newborn group meetings rotate between group members' homes, but it's also possible to host a meeting in a public location such as a library meeting room or community center. When families are able to invite each other into their homes, it adds a level of warmth that participants really enjoy. Baby Peppers and  Second Time Around groups meet at set neighborhood locations.   

Travel

PEPS forms 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 defined by zip-code, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate families as quickly as possible after babies are born. Most groups travel less than 3 miles to a meeting in Seattle, and up to 10 miles in more rural communities.  

Childcare

We ask our volunteers to facilitate meetings without their own children in tow, since group leaders need to give their attention to the parents. PEPS leaders are very resourceful about finding child care, for example: co-leaders can swap playdates, evening volunteers have may coverage at home, and some folks line up a partner volunteer who handles childcare each week while the volunteer leads the group.

Vacation

It is not unusual for a volunteer to need to be absent for a week, whether for a planned or unplanned event. With advance notice, PEPS is usually able to find a substitute for a meeting. Alternatively, a group may decide to meet in their own for one week, and extend the session to a 13th week that the leader can attend. Our goal is to ensure that families enjoy 12 facilitated meetings, however we can most seamlessly achieve it.