26725 Mutual Aid Sage

Opportunity

ArtsPond is seeking a volunteer Mutual Aid Sage to advise us on how digital technologies and infrastructure can support a mutual aid network through virtual communication, coordination, and care.

We currently use Microsoft 365 as our core infrastructure for communication, shared documents, and basic intake workflows. As our network grows, we want to better understand how existing technologies can extend this foundation or provide alternatives in ways that are accessible, low‑cost, and aligned with mutual aid values.

This role focuses on reviewing and interpreting the current landscape of tools, rather than building or administering systems. The goal is to help us make thoughtful decisions about how we structure communication, participation, and mutual aid workflows online.

This is an advisory and reflective role, focused on sensemaking, comparison, and practical guidance. It is not a technical build, system administration, or ongoing support role.

Responsibilities

The Sage will provide guidance and support as they are available, including any of the following:

• Review our current digital setup and how we use Microsoft 365 as a backbone
• Survey and assess technologies commonly used by mutual aid and peer networks
• Compare pre‑built options such as chat platforms, forums, community platforms, and email‑based ecosystems
• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and tradeoffs of different tool categories
• Reflect on how tools shape participation, accessibility, power, care, and burnout
• Explore patterns for two‑way communication that do not overwhelm staff or participants
• Consider how networks handle onboarding, shared memory, and continuity online
• Identify gaps in existing tools that affect mutual aid workflows such as needs, offers, matching, and follow‑up
• Help distinguish where configuration and norms are sufficient versus where light custom development might be justified
• Offer practical, values‑aligned recommendations we can implement ourselves

The work will be collaborative, conversational, and grounded in real‑world constraints.

Qualifications

Our desired qualifications include one or more of the following:

• Mutual aid, peer support, or grassroots community networks
• Digital community or network design
• Evaluating and advising on collaboration or community platforms
• Systems thinking in social, civic, or care‑centered contexts
• Understanding how technology impacts participation and equity
• Bridging technical considerations with human and relational needs

Formal credentials or developer skills are an asset but not required. Lived experience, pattern recognition, and sound judgment matter most.

Fit

This opportunity might be a good fit if you:

• Enjoy stepping back to see patterns across tools and practices
• Are thoughtful about when technology helps and when it gets in the way
• Prefer simple, sustainable systems over complex solutions
• Care about accessibility, consent, and uneven participation
• Like advising or mentoring rather than owning execution
• Are comfortable working within limited time and capacity constraints
• Are interested in helping mutual aid networks make better digital choices

Commitment and Compensation

This is a volunteer, unpaid position only. The time commitment and schedule is flexible, shaped by interest and availability. Reimbursements are available for pre-approved expenses. This opportunity may lead to a paid position, pending availability of funding.

Apply

The desired deadline to apply is June 15, 2026. The posting will remain open until filled.

Please send a cover letter and curriculum vitae (or a 2.5 to 5-minute video) outlining your skills and interests related to the opportunity to:

Jessa Agilo, Founder, CEO
ArtsPond / Étang d’Arts
jobs@artspond.com

Please reference “26725 Mutual Aid Sage” in the subject line.

About Us

ArtsPond is a changemaker of a different kind. Our mission is to nurture thriving ecosystems of care in all realms of life via the wisdom and creativity of arts and culture. Join our team and help deepen the power and promise of arts and culture-led social change and care in Canada. For more information, visit https://artspond.com/volunteer/

Our Impact

• Sharing stories | Shaping wisdoms
  Through collaborative storytelling, we shape and share wisdoms rooted in the lived experience of justice-deserving groups from the edge. Creative expression helps people navigate challenges and deepen empathy, care, and understanding. Examples include Access Art, aHa!, Caring Cultures, Gentrification Survey, I Love My Gig Ontario, Groundstory, and Together There.
• Sustaining ecosystems | Seeding platforms
  With collective impact, we sustain mutual aid ecosystems and seed open-source tools and technologies that help people, communities, and systems to thrive. Cooperation helps strengthen pathways to reciprocity, prosperity, and belonging. Examples include DigitalASO, Hatch Open, and Groundtrust.
  
• Settling crises
  In moments of uncertainty and urgency, we support creative solutions to complex challenges, from personal emergencies to global crises. Supporting basic needs helps impacted groups to survive while nurturing hope by adapting alternative futures that are vibrant, strong, and resilient. Examples include I Lost My Gig Canada and ThisSpace.

Access

We are committed to make this opportunity accessible to all regardless of circumstances. If you have access needs in order to apply for this opportunity, please let us know what you require at jobs@artspond.com.

ArtsPond is an equal opportunity organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for engagement without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, creed (religion), colour, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender identity or expression, place of origin, or race, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial, or local laws. We particularly encourage equity and justice-deserving groups including 2SLGBTQIA+, Deaf, Disabled, Indigenous, Newcomer, New Generation, Outside the Core, Racialized, Women/Trans/Nonbinary, and other diverse identities, cultures, and origins to apply.

While we thank all who take the time to apply, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.