That's a really good question! @Oaktree . Maybe others will be wondering too @Shaz51 @Snowie @Captain24 @rav3n @Ru-bee @Jynx @Eve7 @outlander and anyone else who may be interested.
The Peer Guide Program was funded only for a short time (about 1 year). The Peer Guides who have completed their training and volunteer hours on the forums have been given the option to either be a Community Guide (until our next recruit) or a Senior Contributor. In total, we had close to 70 complete the program which is phenomenal! Many have gone on to further education or securing a job.
Those who opt for CG receive personal check-in emails monthly (min) which go through successes, goal setting and feedback. They also receive certain updates. As CG, they are required to support engagement on the forums for a minimum of two hours per week.
At this stage, the success of the Peer Guide Program has meant the Community Guide program is getting serious look at. To see how successful elements of the Peer Guide Program can be implemented into the Community Guide Program.
The Peer Guide Program was essentially a work readiness program. That is, to prepare participants to re-enter the workforce. We need to consider whether this is what we want from the Community Guide Program. In saying this, it means there will be rostering of shifts, regular touchpoints in terms of KPIs etc.
So yeah.. that's where we are at.
Unfortunately, the CG program is still on the back seat. Unless we can secure funding, we can't keep these programs going.
Also, getting the live chats back up is proving harder than expected - financially. We were not able to continue with the previous platform, but a replacement to meet out needs is incredibly costly. So in other words, with these not for profit organisations, we really need to consider budgeting.
It's more complicated that most realise....
