Get Involved! Volunteer with Emotions Matter

Emotions Matter is a 501c3 non-profit organization run by volunteers with a mission to connect and empower people impacted by borderline personality disorder, through peer programs, education and advocacy, to address stigma and promote healing.

We depend on nearly 100 volunteers with lived experience of BPD, family members and clinician-researchers, from around the country to conduct our programs, educational events, and operations each year. Our volunteers bring a diversity of passion, resources, talents and skills to help us expand our mission.

Are you interested in joining our volunteer team? We invite you to learn more about volunteer opportunities, and get involved!

Volunteer Application & Onboarding Process

All volunteers are required to:

Submit an Application.
Participate in an Interview
Attend a Volunteer Orientation
Sign our Volunteer Agreement

Volunteers who complete the application are invited to attend an interview.

After the interview, they will be invited to participate in the next scheduled Volunteer Orientation via Zoom. Volunteer Orientation is held once a quarter, four times a year. Volunteer Orientation is generally held in the evening EST.

Once they have completed Volunteer Orientation and signed our Volunteer Agreement, volunteers will then be invited to participate in a specific role or Committee at the direction of the Staff and Board.

Volunteer Opportunities for 2026

Emotions Matter’s volunteer needs change based on the strategic needs of our organization. Here are the currently open volunteer roles and committee opportunities for 2026, listed by category.

for Clinicians/Researchers:

Education Committee Volunteer

Education Committee volunteers contribute to the organizing and leadership of workshops and other educational programs and events at Emotions Matter. This Committee also oversees the creation of stigma-free educational content about borderline personality disorder for our lived experience community. Volunteers on this committee should be involved in research or clinical work related to the BPD field, and be willing to take on leadership to help the committee with implementing its strategic goals. Appointment to this committee is by the Committee leadership.

Grant Support Volunteer – Emotions Matter often collaborates with clinician-researcher volunteers to assist with grant prospecting, editing and reviewing grant applications, and advising on submissions. These volunteers are not working as part of a Committee, but they work directly with staff or Board members as part of our fundraising and program development team. These volunteers must have professional experience with grant writing. An application is required. These volunteers are appointed by the staff.

for People with Lived Experience of Borderline Personality Disorder

Lived Experience Advisory Committee Volunteer

The Lived Experience Advisory Committee is a leadership committee that provides critical input into the strategic growth initiatives of Emotions Matter. The committee acts as advisors to the staff and board offering lived experience insights and feedback with respect to new program development, fundraising events, and communications.

This committee has three membership types: Advisory Member (listens and provides feedback), Task Member (takes on leadership and manages committee projects and responsibilities), and Board members (appointed Board members to lead the committee). Each new member will be required to choose a member type when joining. Volunteers on this committee must have lived experience of BPD. Appointment to this committee is by invitation by the Committee leadership.

Program Volunteer: Peer Support Group Facilitator

Emotions Matter welcomes people with lived experience of BPD who identify with recovery to volunteer as Peer Group Facilitators for our BPD Peer Online Support Groups. These volunteers require a special application, references, peer group attendance, an interview, and up to 10 hours of training. For more information on our BPD Peer Online Support Group Program applicant process: https://emotionsmatterbpd.org/peer-facilitators

for the Community, Family Members and People with Lived Experience

Fundraising & Events Committee

Fundraising and Events Committee Volunteers plan and oversee Emotions Matter’s fundraising events for the 2026 calendar year. These events will include planning and getting involved in our BPD Walk in New York, as well in our 2026 BPD Walk expansion to other cities across the United States.

It may involve planning our 2026 BPD Art Show, and other Special fundraising Events. Our Volunteers are what make our fun, engaging in-person events happen, building community and connecting people to Emotions Matter’s work and mission.

Without fundraising, Emotions Matter would not have the financing to support our mission to empower and connect people impacted by BPD through peer programs, education and advocacy. This committee is essential to leading our Giving Tuesday campaign and Holiday Appeal, promoting the sustainability of our programs. These campaigns involved digital communications and online fundraising outreach and strategies.

Volunteers on this committee often have lived experience of BPD, as a family member or person with lived experience, however, it is not a requirement. This committee is open to people in the community who want to get involved to support our public events and fundraising efforts.

An application and interview is required. Each new member will be asked to choose which fundraising event or project they want to be a part of during the calendar year during the interview.

Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities

Emotions Matter has volunteers that work on administrative and operational needs behind the scenes with specific experience and skills to support our operations. These volunteers often have lived experience of BPD, as a family member or person with lived experience, however, it is not a requirement. This committee is open to people in the community who want to get involved to support our public events and fundraising efforts.

Here are the current professional skills we need from volunteers:

Graphic Design - Assist with Emotions Matter’s graphic design and content creation for events and communications.

Video Editing - Assist with Emotions Matter’s video editing needs throughout the year, such as editing webinars for YouTube or videos for social media.

Information Technology - Assist with Emotions Matter’s technology needs, supporting our tech implementation, integration and design needs behind the scenes.

These needs change throughout the year. If you have a specific skill that is not listed here but you believe can contribute to Emotions Matter, email info@emotionsmatterbpd.org for more information.