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• Why are we called Outriggers?
• An Outrigger is actually a narrow float attached to a sea-going canoe, by projecting spars, for stabilizing support. Are you thoroughly confused? Imagine that you are part of an organization that is drifting in every direction but the right one. You don't see how this organization is going to hold itself together. In comes Outriggers to provide support and stabilize the organization by allowing it to pull itself back together. You have to admit it's a neat analogy.
• Why are we considered peer educators?
• The motto of Outriggers is "Peers helping peers help themselves." The word "educator" is almost misleading because our purpose is not to "teach" the organizations we work with. What we do is provide them with an opportunity to educate themselves. We do that by developing helpful programs and facilitating meaningful discussion. Remember, We are the support; Your groups do all the learning on their own.
• What exactly do Outrigger Peer Educators do?
• Simply put, we facilitate interactive, team-oriented workshops for other organizations. Our services are requested by organizations, classes, and offices who want us to help achieve a goal. Sometimes the goal is just getting to know one another. Other times, the organization is experiencing problems and wants us to help them overcome difficulties. The role of Outriggers is not to solve problems by giving the solution. Rather, our job is to do what it takes to help groups solve their own problems.
• What kinds of groups request our services?
• For the most part, we work with campus organizations. Examples have included sororities, business fraternities, residence halls, and honor societies. We have also been requested by professors who want programs for their classes. Outriggers also enjoy taking their programs into the community and working with grade schools and recreation centers.
• What does it mean to "facilitate"?
• Facilitating refers to making something easier. In the case of Outriggers, that something is discussion. Facilitating means asking open-ended questions that get your audience talking and sharing ideas. Facilitating means being an active listener and following up the groups' thoughts with the right questions. A good facilitator is one that rarely has to talk at all.