Circles ABQ: Circle Ally Job Description
An initiative of Cuidando Los Niños
Circle Ally
Circle Ally: a person who volunteers to assist a Circle Leader in achieving his or her goals to leave poverty behind. Allies and Circle Leaders have an intentional friendship within the matched Circle.
The Circle Ally commitment:
- 6-10 hours per month spent with Circles and your Circle Leader
- A minimum 18-month commitment to the Circle
- Attend the Matched Circles Meeting(s) and another meeting that works with your schedule
- A phone call, e-mail, or text to your Circle Leader weekly
Support the Circle Ally receives:
- Introduction/Orientation to Circles and Ally Training Sessions online and in person
- Ally peer-to-peer support sessions
- Collaboration with others in your Circle – you are not alone
- Circles Staff, to answer questions and provide guidance
Be sensitive of differences across class and cultural lines:
- Find ways to introduce yourself that emphasizes who you are, not what you do
- Be yourself and come as you are to the weekly meeting, just as the Circle Leaders do
- Don’t expect Circle Leaders to approach the Weekly Meetings the way you might at work
- Look for low-cost or no-cost options for outings with your Circle, with consideration to transportation and location
- When you have strong feelings about the Circle Leader family, be willing to look at how your own feelings or rules are being activated and talk to someone about it – another Ally, the Circle Leader, or the Circles staff
Non-Negotiables for being an Ally:
- Confidentiality– what is shared in your Circle stays in your Circle. If your Circle Leader gives permission, you are free to share it with others. This would typically be for gathering more information, identifying resources, or sharing inspirational victories.
- No proselytizing–all participants are to be respected, as are their beliefs about faith. Conversations of faith should be non-judgmental and pressure-free. Under no circumstances should assistance be withheld for reasons of faith.
