RE: New PPGG Volunteer

['Robert' <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

 > From: PPGG Volunteer <http://www.ppgg.org/~volunteer>
 > Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2004 12:05:49 -0800
 >
 > Robert,
 > 
 > Thanks for your interest and support of PPGG.
 > 
 > I have forwarded your information on to the departments
 > that you specified in your on line application.

Thanks!

 > In addition, you mentioned an interest in client escorting.  If 
 > so, please complete the attached interview questions and
 > return them to me at http://www.ppgg.org/~volunteer.

OK, will do.  See below.

 > Someone should be in contact with you soon regarding the 
 > interview / placement / training process.
 > 
 > THANKS!!
 > 
 > jmf
 > 
 > Jul-ie M. French
 > Training and Volunteer Programs Manager
 > Planned Parenthood Golden Gate
 > 815 Eddy Street #200
 > SF, CA 94109
 > 
 > e:http://www.ppgg.org/~volunteer
 > 
 > March for Freedom of Choice April 25, 2004 in Washington DC:
 > http://www.MarchForChoice.org

> Interview Questions for Volunteers / Interns

Name:       Robert_________________          Date: 1/9/04_

> Please tell me a little about your background (education, jobs, interests,
> etc.)

Schools_Attended: The Evergreen State College, 1987; B.S., Computer Science

Jobs: Computer programming jobs.  Looking for a position without luck.

Interests: Computers, bicycling, statistics, politics

> Why do you want to volunteer for Planned Parenthood?

Help Planned Parenthood and protect it from attacks.  I would
be interested in working at the  Planned Parenthood since it's just
down the street from where I live.  (This is the Planned Parenthood I got my
vasectomy at 7 years ago.)  I am unemployed and donating time is easier than
donating money presently.

> What are your expectations for Planned Parenthood?

For it to keep going.  I know it is under attack by private forces as well
as defunding from government sources.  I think it's important for proper
family planning, which is especially important in these hard economic
times.

> How did you hear about us?

I knew about the  Planned Parenthood for years.  I did a web search
to find that the  facility is covered under PPGG.

> Have you ever volunteered before?

While in Boston, occassionally helped Mass NARAL, including their phone
surveys and some limited fund-raising.  Occassionally helping Brookline
Women's Center (Boston) clients enter and protecting the center from
aggressive protesters.

Presently, I'm volunteering at Prosearch (Oakland) as part of my job
search; I'm maintaining and administering their computer systems.

> What day(s) and time(s) can you volunteer?

All day Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and
Sunday afternoons.

> For this next question, you are not required to disclose any personal
> experiences.  What are your views on Abortion?

Many people would call me pro-abortion (rather than pro-choice).  I think
it is an excellent choice if that is the choice of the woman.  Several
people I know got abortions and it was definitely the best decision in all
cases.

That said, I of course support contraception (including sterilization) and
distribution of contraceptive devices to avoid abortion when possible
since it can be expensive and emotionally draining for the woman in
question.

> How might you feel if you had to walk by protesters to get to your volunteer
> job?

When I was in Boston, I regularly went to the monthly pro-choice
visibility at the Planned Parenthood in Allston to counter the anti-choice
protesters there.

> What if your assignment was to escort clients through protesters?

I can do it.  I've taken a training course on being an escort.

> Planned Parenthood is committed to confidentiality.  Please describe your
> interpretation of this policy and how it would apply to your position.

Keep confidential contact information for clinic volunteers, clinic
workers, and patients (clients), where contact information includes names,
addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, and confidential means
anyone other than the patient's doctor or clinic staff workers.  Believe
me, I definitely know how people can be harassed by anti-choicers; I
really wouldn't want my name, address, or phone revealed to these people,
either.

> What would you say to a woman whom you counseled about birth control and she
> keeps returning for abortions?

Well, I would hope that I wouldn't have to counsel women about anything,
either birth control or abortion.  My job should be just to get the
patient (client) into the clinic door safely.

But, my opinion: it's her body and she can do what she wants with it.

> If a woman is pregnant and is unsure of what she wants to do, what would you
> say to her?

I would tell her to get into the clinic and talk to someone there,
probably a doctor.  She needs to make an informed, utilitarian decision.

> PPGG has made a huge commitment to Diversity and being able to identify itself
> as a Culturally Competent organization.  Please describe for us your
> experience in working with diverse client bases and staffing models.

My Spanish is very weak :-(.  My experience with diverse client bases and
staffing models is meager.  That's a weak point of mine.

> Describe one of your strengths

For this position: lots of experience dealing with anti-choicers.

> and one area for improvement.

Learning Spanish would be good, especially given the make-up of .