Leadership Opportunities

A Network Rooted in Peer Leadership

At the Veteran Spouse Network, we believe in the value and benefit of strong supportive communities that offer peer-based guidance and understanding to help address the unique challenges of military and post-service family life. In line with that belief, all of our programs are facilitated by volunteer veteran spouse peer leaders, allowing participants to receive support through shared experience and understanding.  

If you are connected to the military or veteran community and are interested in providing peer support opportunities, we encourage you to consider volunteering with the VSN today! Learn more about the different peer leader opportunities within the VSN below. 

On This Page
  1. Apply to Be a Leader Today!
  2. Become a V-SRG Leader
  3. Become a VSN Social Club Leader

Apply to Be a Leader Today!

If you are a veteran spouse/partner who is interested in becoming a V-SRG Leader, or are a member of the larger military or veteran-connected community who is interested in becoming a Social Club Leader, please complete our VSN Leader Application today! For questions, contact us at vsn@austin.utexas.edu.

VSN Leader Application
“As a peer leader, I love being able to connect with other Spouses/Partners; to give them a safe place to share their experiences; maybe be able to give them information they need or never knew they needed.”
– VSN Peer Leader

Become a V-SRG Leader

As a Veteran Spouse Resiliency Group (V-SRG) leader, you will facilitate curriculum-driven peer support groups for veteran spouses/partners, that provide participants with a space to come together, share their stories, challenges, and successes, and lean on one another for support and guidance. As a V-SRG leader, you have the opportunity to lead in-person or virtual groups in both series and solo-session formats. V-SRG leaders complete training in group and online facilitation skills, as well as the V-SRG curriculum. 

As a V-SRG Leader, you will…

Attend a virtual leader training

V-SRG leader trainings are offered in virtual formats and contain about 24 hours of content spaced over several days, with a combination of self-paced pre-work, and two live training days. Leaders must be able to commit to attending at least 70% of the live training days to become certified. Upcoming leader training dates are listed below.

Commit to consistently facilitating groups

Once certified as a leader, you are expected to lead your first group (either a series or solo session) within 3 months. You must also commit to leading at least 2-3 groups/sessions a year to maintain your leader certification. 

Prep for and facilitate group sessions

In addition to facilitating the groups themselves, leaders are expected to spend the necessary time prepping for their session on their own, and with their co-lead, if applicable.

Support outreach and marketing efforts

While VSN staff will do the heavy marketing lift, leaders are expected to support marketing and recruitment efforts for your group and help share out other VSN opportunities.

Attend support calls and communicate with staff

Leaders are expected to attend weekly online meetings with staff and other V-SRG leaders, to provide updates on group progress, troubleshoot any challenges, and receive program updates. In addition to attending leader calls, leaders are expected to complete monthly time and group attendance sheets and stay in regular communication with VSN staff regarding groups.

Expect to spend 12-20 hours per month on leader responsibilities

Your time commitment as a leader will depend on whether you plan to lead a series or solo sessions. Series require a larger (and consistent) time commitment, while solo sessions can be scheduled based on the leader's schedule and bandwidth. V-SRG leaders may be compensated for their time once they have been certified.

Virtual Training

The virtual V-SRG Leader Training consists of a combination of self-paced pre-work course hours (approximately 6-8 hours) that are to be completed virtually prior to the live training dates, as well as two 8-hour live training days that are conducted via Zoom. Leaders must be able to attend at least 70% of the live training time, as well as complete the required self-paced pre-work in order to complete their certification. View the calendar below for a list of upcoming virtual training dates.

Upcoming Training Dates

View Calendar

Meet Our Peer Leaders

Doris DeRaum

Doris DeRamus

El Paso, TX -Doris’ journey from being a devoted partner to a resilient surviving spouse…

Sue Watson

Sue Watson

Pittsburgh, Pa. -Sue is the daughter of a World War II, Marine and Iwo Jima…

Lydiah Owiti-Otienoh

Southbury, CT -Lydiah is a Kenyan-born Lawyer, Project Manager, and International Development consultant. She relocated…

Christina Whittemore

Converse, TX -Christina is the daughter of a Marine Vietnam Veteran and the spouse of…

Rosa Kline

Harlingen, TX -An Air Force Veteran served active duty from 2001-2011 and 2011-2013 reserve time.Some…

Janie Smith

Copperas Cove, TX -I am Janie Smith and have been a military/veteran spouse and mother…

Sharon Dalton

Sharon Dalton

Big Stone Gap, VA -Hello, my name is Sharon Dalton, and it is an honor…

Alunya Clark

Atlanta, GA – Hello! I’m Alunya Clark, a resilient and compassionate individual whose life journey…

Becca Hobby

Becca Hobby

Krum, TX – Becca Hobby is a proud spouse to an Army Veteran and a…

Photo of Sharon Baker

Sharon Baker

Columbus, GA – Sharon Baker is a certified Business/Entrepreneur Coach, servant leader, corporate trainer, speaker,…

Become a VSN Social Club Leader

As a Social Club leader, you will provide members of the military and veteran-connected community with social, supportive, and/or educational peer support opportunities. While leaders are supported by VSN Staff in the creation of session guides, managing the logistics for the group (including registration, marketing, communication, and Zoom use), Social Club leaders are encouraged to follow their passions, interests, and skillsets to determine the content, structure, and audience of their social clubs.

As a Social Club Leader, you will…

Attend a 2-hour virtual training

Training is scheduled one-on-one and can be completed at any time, based on the leader's schedules.

Plan, prep for, and facilitate social club sessions

As leaders have an idea for a club, they are expected to communicate with VSN staff to provide details. Staff can help support the creation of content and session guides, and will always be responsible for creating the registration and marketing materials. Leaders are expected to help market their clubs, as well as put in the necessary time to prep for their session.

Attend support calls and communicate with staff

Leaders are expected to attend monthly online meetings with staff and other social club leaders, to provide updates on group progress, troubleshoot any challenges, and receive program updates. In addition to attending leader calls, leaders are expected to complete monthly time and group attendance sheets and stay in regular communication with VSN staff regarding groups.

Determine your own group schedule

Leaders can lead groups as frequently or infrequently as their interests and bandwidth allow. We ask that social club leaders be prepared to commit approximately 2-4 hours per month to these duties at a minimum, but the time commitment is flexible.