Are you interested in community-based research with and for gay, bi, trans, Two-Spirit and queer men (2S/GBTQ) and non-binary people? Want to connect with these communities at events like Pride and support future advocacy work in our communities?
The Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) is doing in-person recruitment this summer for Sex Now, Canada’s largest and longest-running survey of 2S/GBTQ health and wellbeing, and will be in various cities across the country. CBRC is looking for volunteers to support recruitment at community events during the summer of 2024. All volunteers will receive training, a cute t-shirt, and an honorarium for supporting CBRC’s community-based research!
About CBRC:
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders through research and intervention development. CBRC’s core pillars – community-led research, knowledge exchange, network building, and leadership development – position the organization as a thought leader, transforming ideas into actions that make a difference in our communities. CBRC was incorporated in 1999 and is a non-profit charitable organization. Our main office is located in Vancouver, British Columbia, and we also have satellite offices located in Edmonton, Toronto, and Halifax.
About Sex Now
Sex Now has been an essential source of data on the health and wellbeing of 2S/GBTQ people in Canada since 2002. Data collected will be used to advocate for programs, services, and policies that better support the health and well-being of gay, bi, trans, Two-Spirit and queer men (2S/GBTQ) and non-binary people people across Canada.
This summer, CBRC’s Sex Now survey will be hitting the road to collect data at Pride events across the country. Sex Now is Canada’s largest and longest running health survey of Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual, queer, and trans men and non-binary (2S/GBTQ) people and will be back in-person for the first time since 2022.
We will be in the following places over the summer:
- Toronto, ON (June 1)
- Toronto, ON (June 28-30)
- Winnipeg, MB (June 1-2)
- Kelowna, BC (June 8)
- Regina, SK (June 15)
- Saskatoon, SK (June 22)
- Victoria, BC (July 7)
- Charlottetown, PEI (July 13-17)
- St. John’s, NL (July 21)
- London, ON (July 19-21)
- Halifax, NS (July 19-20)
- Vancouver, BC (August 3-4)
- Montréal, QC (August 10-11)
- Hamilton, ON (August 10)
- New Westminster, BC (August 17)
- Edmonton, AB (August 22-24)
- Ottawa, ON (August 24-25)
- Moncton, NB (August 31)
- Calgary, AB (August 31-September 1)
- Québec City, QC (August 31-September 2)
About the Volunteer Role
Events are almost always held outdoors, and you can expect it to be a busy time. Typically, there is a lot of noise from other booths, many people, and amplified sound (music playing). The weather can be unpredictable, especially depending on where across the country the event is - for example, it could be rainy (and you’d be under the tent) or really sunny (so sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are so important). For the two types of volunteer roles, there are long periods (the shift is 4-5 hours) of either standing or sitting, with all volunteers being able to take a break.
There are two different roles that volunteers can do:
Role 1: Connector & Engager
Role 2: DBS Collector
A - Connector/Engager
If you are outgoing (or want to be), the connector/engager role is for you! These folks are involved in recruiting potential study participants, which involves talking to strangers, sharing information about the study, and using plain language and a welcoming approach. If the person you’re connecting with is eligible to participate, you’ll be getting them set up to take the questionnaire on their phone or an ipad, which includes sharing important consent info.
Skills needed:
- Engaging communicator/outgoing
- Comfortable with standing
- Ability to navigate summer weather (which could be sunny, windy, even wet at times)
- Fluency in English and/or French (Spanish is an asset)
- Comfortable with providing instructions and answering questions (don’t worry, we’ll provide you with training!)
- Comfortable with handling ipads and directing folks who are using their phones
B - Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Collector
An important part of Sex Now 2024 is Dried Blood Spot (DBS) collection, where folks who participate in the survey can opt into providing a small blood sample that can be tested for HIV, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and syphilis. The collectors are seated in the DBS area, are calm, cool and collected, and either support participants self-collecting or do the collection themselves. You’ll explain the DBS process to ensure participant consent, the details about getting results, and will make sure the DBS collection is done properly. All safety precautions will be in place, and volunteers will be provided with appropriate supplies including gloves, wipes, etc.
Skills needed:
- Engaging communicator
- Comfortable with both sitting and standing
- Ability to navigate summer weather under a tent
- Fluency in English and/or French (Spanish is an asset)
- Comfortable with seeing and collecting a small amount of blood
- Comfortable with providing instructions and answering questions
Time Commitment:
All volunteers will need to attend an in-person training session 1-4 days in advance of the event(s). The training sessions will be up to 90 minutes in length.
Each volunteer shift will be 4-5 hours.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Be part of a collective effort to make a difference in the health and wellbeing of 2S/GBTQ men and non-binary communities
- Learn new skills (research, collecting Dried Blood Spot samples)
- Get to be present at Pride and community events
- Gain valuable experience with a non-profit organization focused on community-based research
- Meet new people
All volunteers will receive
- Dedicated training so you feel very prepared
- A cute t-shirt
- An honorarium of $100 (for a shift of 4-5 hours and attending the in-person training)
How to Apply
Please complete the online form here
The form will ask you which towns and cities you are interested in volunteering at. A CBRC staff member will be in touch with you in the coming days/weeks to share more information and to get the training scheduled.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to email [email protected].
