Leaders & O-Staff
What is the difference between a leader and o-staff?
Leaders are kind of like camp counsellors! They are responsible for showing froshies a good time and getting them excited for events. As a leader, you number one priority is your froshie group. You need to make sure they are safe and having a good time! Orientation staff (o-staff) will also be assigned to a group and are there to hype the froshies up, but they also have a very important role in helping the coordinators. O-staff will help with event set-up, clean-up, chill zones, etc. Both roles are super important and super fun! When we interview you, we will ask for you preference but at education frosh, the coordinators will make the final decision about whether you are a better fit for leader or staff.
What type of training do we have?
Both leaders and staff will have a variety of trainings in August about frosh itself and how to keep our froshies safe. We update the trainings every year so it is hard to say what exactly to expect but you will be well prepared!
There is also an optional access ally training open to all education leaders and staff. Education frosh has a policy that a minimum of one access ally must be in each group but there is no maximum number of people allowed to take this training!
What is an access ally?
An access ally is a leader or staff member that has taken the bonus training session on inclusivity and accessibility at frosh. Access allies are a resource for froshies when they have concerns relating to equity, inclusivity and accessibility. This could be anything from microagressions to an inaccessible event venue. Access allies work closely with the inclusivity and sustainability coordinator to ensure their froshies are having the best possible experience!
How many times during the summer do we meet?
The exact dates for bonding and training have not been set yet, but you can expect the following to take place throughout the summer:
Please note that training sessions will most likely take place in person this year, although the final decision has not yet been announced.
Can you still be a leader if you don't live on the island of Montreal?
Yes! Many of our leaders and o-staff live off island and commute downtown for frosh activities. Please note that you are responsible for your own transportation to in-person activities though. Pro tip: if you live far from downtown, consider staying with a friend who lives closer to campus for the four days of frosh!
How much work is being a leader or o-staff outside of school?
Realistically, the leader and o-staff positions are not super demanding outside of the training sessions and frosh itself. As long as you make sure to have the five days of frosh off (Thursday August 25 to Monday August 29th 2022), you should find plenty of time!
Do I need to know a lot about McGill?
Not necessarily! While we expect our leaders and o-staff to have a basic understanding of McGill student life and to serve as guides to first year students, your trainings and the events planned by your coordinators will help you out. We are very understanding of the fact that almost all of our upperclassmen this year have had their McGill experience affected by COVID-19 and online school keeping them off campus and out of social events.
Do I get to choose who I lead with?
We do allow you to request to be with friends, but we cannot guarantee that you'll be with everyone that you wanted. We make our groups based off of the characteristics of all of our leaders and o-staff to create a warm and welcoming environement for froshies. We also believe that frosh is not just for froshies to meet new people, but for the leaders and o-staff to branch out as well!
Do we have to pay the same price as froshies of we're a leader or o-staff?
Nope! Leaders and staff pay a reduced price for frosh. We will let you know the exact price once we have a better idea of the cost of our events and how much money we receive from sponsors.
Can I apply to be an education frosh leader or o-staff if I'm not in education or kinesiology?
Yes! While we will prioritize students from the faculty of education, you can still apply from outside the faculty. You do however need to be an McGill undergraduate student.
What is the application/interview process?
You can apply to become a leader or o-staff here! We will contact you in April or May for group interviews. Interviews this year are anticipated to be in-person, depending on the conditions and restrictions due to COVID-19.
What is the difference between a leader and o-staff?
Leaders are kind of like camp counsellors! They are responsible for showing froshies a good time and getting them excited for events. As a leader, you number one priority is your froshie group. You need to make sure they are safe and having a good time! Orientation staff (o-staff) will also be assigned to a group and are there to hype the froshies up, but they also have a very important role in helping the coordinators. O-staff will help with event set-up, clean-up, chill zones, etc. Both roles are super important and super fun! When we interview you, we will ask for you preference but at education frosh, the coordinators will make the final decision about whether you are a better fit for leader or staff.
What type of training do we have?
Both leaders and staff will have a variety of trainings in August about frosh itself and how to keep our froshies safe. We update the trainings every year so it is hard to say what exactly to expect but you will be well prepared!
There is also an optional access ally training open to all education leaders and staff. Education frosh has a policy that a minimum of one access ally must be in each group but there is no maximum number of people allowed to take this training!
What is an access ally?
An access ally is a leader or staff member that has taken the bonus training session on inclusivity and accessibility at frosh. Access allies are a resource for froshies when they have concerns relating to equity, inclusivity and accessibility. This could be anything from microagressions to an inaccessible event venue. Access allies work closely with the inclusivity and sustainability coordinator to ensure their froshies are having the best possible experience!
How many times during the summer do we meet?
The exact dates for bonding and training have not been set yet, but you can expect the following to take place throughout the summer:
- Education frosh leader & staff bonding (everyone together)
- Informal leader & staff bonding (done in your teams)
- All-faculty training sessions
- Education only training session
Please note that training sessions will most likely take place in person this year, although the final decision has not yet been announced.
Can you still be a leader if you don't live on the island of Montreal?
Yes! Many of our leaders and o-staff live off island and commute downtown for frosh activities. Please note that you are responsible for your own transportation to in-person activities though. Pro tip: if you live far from downtown, consider staying with a friend who lives closer to campus for the four days of frosh!
How much work is being a leader or o-staff outside of school?
Realistically, the leader and o-staff positions are not super demanding outside of the training sessions and frosh itself. As long as you make sure to have the five days of frosh off (Thursday August 25 to Monday August 29th 2022), you should find plenty of time!
Do I need to know a lot about McGill?
Not necessarily! While we expect our leaders and o-staff to have a basic understanding of McGill student life and to serve as guides to first year students, your trainings and the events planned by your coordinators will help you out. We are very understanding of the fact that almost all of our upperclassmen this year have had their McGill experience affected by COVID-19 and online school keeping them off campus and out of social events.
Do I get to choose who I lead with?
We do allow you to request to be with friends, but we cannot guarantee that you'll be with everyone that you wanted. We make our groups based off of the characteristics of all of our leaders and o-staff to create a warm and welcoming environement for froshies. We also believe that frosh is not just for froshies to meet new people, but for the leaders and o-staff to branch out as well!
Do we have to pay the same price as froshies of we're a leader or o-staff?
Nope! Leaders and staff pay a reduced price for frosh. We will let you know the exact price once we have a better idea of the cost of our events and how much money we receive from sponsors.
Can I apply to be an education frosh leader or o-staff if I'm not in education or kinesiology?
Yes! While we will prioritize students from the faculty of education, you can still apply from outside the faculty. You do however need to be an McGill undergraduate student.
What is the application/interview process?
You can apply to become a leader or o-staff here! We will contact you in April or May for group interviews. Interviews this year are anticipated to be in-person, depending on the conditions and restrictions due to COVID-19.
