Interested in sharing your time and talent with one of the best volunteer teams in Tennessee? Join us! This page has everything you need to know about volunteering at HOBY, such as How to Apply, Application Roadmap, Role Descriptions, and Frequently Asked Questions!
How To Apply
Applications will open for all positions on Monday, October 19th! See the “On-Site Roles” sections below for descriptions of each role.
The link below will guide you through the application process. You’ll be required to:
- Submit a headshot
- Confirm your attendance at the seminar if you are selected
- Complete the HOBY National HQ Application
- Complete the 16 Personalities Test and submit your 4 letter personality type
- (Applicants Aged Under 21 Only) Confirm that you will get a Letter of Recommendation sent to <staff@hobytn.org>
- Schedule a Google Meet interview with the Director of Staff
Applying for HOBY TN will take about 20-30 minutes of your time. It can be done on a computer or smart phone, but you might find it easier to do so on a computer.
Want a walk-through of the application process? Have any questions you’d like to ask directly? Come to one of our:
Volunteer Interest Town Halls!
These virtual meetings will be held over Google Meet. You’ll be able to meet with our Director of Staff, who will go through the application process step-by-step. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. We’ll have two meetings, but we’ll go over the same materials at both meetings, so it’s not necessary to come to both. Attendance at a town hall isn’t mandatory for your application!
Town Hall #1: Monday, October 19th @ 6:30pm
10/19 Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/weh-cxpx-ycn
Town Hall #2: Monday, October 12th @ 6:30pm
10/27 Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/xnb-ebdh-pkv
On-Site Roles
Facilitators
A facilitator is an adult (over 21) volunteer who is responsible for a small group of 8-12 students throughout the entire seminar. Facilitators lead small group discussions, build unity among group members, and ensure their group members stay on task. Facilitators are a vital part of the HOBY experience, and the enthusiasm and involvement of the adult facilitator have a tremendous influence on the group. A facilitator serves as a role model, counselor, friend, and in some cases, disciplinarian. Balancing these roles may be challenging, but volunteering as a facilitator is one of the most rewarding positions that a HOBY volunteer can have!
Once selected, all Facilitators must undergo 2 hours of virtual training and attend two pre-seminar virtual meetings. Facilitators must also fundraise $50 to cover the cost of their background check.
While not required, we highly encourage our facilitators to join a pre-seminar planning team, such as Ambassador Recruitment or Fundraising and Partnerships!
Junior Facilitators
Our Junior Facilitators are the future of HOBY! Junior Facilitators are HOBY Alumni who are under 21 who have served as a HOBY Volunteer for at least one seminar.
Junior Facilitators work with Facilitators in overseeing ambassadors during the seminar weekend. Junior facilitators offer near-peer support to ambassadors, while also gaining valuable experience to become future Facilitators.
Once selected, all Jr. Facilitators must undergo 2 hours of virtual training and attend two pre-seminar virtual meetings. Jr. Facilitators must also fundraise $200 to cover part of the cost of their food and housing.
Additionally, all Jr. Facilitators are required to serve on a pre-seminar planning team, working with either Ambassador Recruitment or Fundraising and Partnerships.
Team Alumni
Anyone who has attended a HOBY Tennessee seminar will tell you that our Team Alumni team keeps the heart of HOBY beating! Team Alumni are HOBY Alumni who are under 21 serving as a HOBY volunteer for the first time.
Team Alumni make the magic happen by setting up and leading activities, hyping up our ambassadors with cheers, and bringing energy and overall flow to the seminar.
Once selected, all Team Alumni must undergo 2 hours of virtual training and attend two pre-seminar virtual meetings. Team Alumni must also fundraise $200 to cover part of the cost of their food and housing.
Additionally, all Team Alumni are required to serve on a pre-seminar planning team, working with either Ambassador Recruitment or Fundraising and Partnerships.
Depending on our final volunteer/ambassador numbers, some Junior Alumni applicants may be asked to serve as Junior Facilitators.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t get the answers you need below, feel free to reach out to <staff@hobytn.org>!
When is the seminar?
June 4th-6th, 2026, with volunteers arriving by 5pm on June 3rd.
Where is the seminar this year?
We’re excited to announce that this year’s seminar will be at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN!
Do I need to stay on site for the entire seminar?
If you are selected as a volunteer, you will be required to be present at the seminar, continuously from Volunteer Arrival to Volunteer Release, including but not limited to sleeping in your assigned dorm room each night.
How much do I have to pay to volunteer?
Team Alumni & Jr. Facilitators will be required to fundraise at least $200 to offset their food and housing costs during the seminar.
Facilitators will be required to fundraise at least $50 to cover their background check fee.
Do I need to undergo a background check to participate at HOBY?
All volunteers 18 years or older at the time of the 2027 HOBY TN Seminar must agree to a background check. Facilitators will fundraise for the cost of their background check. The cost for Junior Facilitators’ background check is included in the fundraising goal for your position.
What should I bring?
The packing list will come closer to the seminar, but we will be providing a t-shirt for you to wear on Friday and another for Saturday.
What’s my time commitment?
- Thursday, June 4th @ about 5pm – Sunday, June 7th @ about 1pm.
- All volunteers will have two virtual meetings before the seminar with your on-site role teams (Team Alumni & Jr. Facilitators / Facilitators). These meetings will be scheduled after volunteers have been chosen.
- All on-site staff must undergo approximately 2 hours of self-paced virtual training prior to the seminar.
- Team Alumni and Jr. Facilitators are required to serve on a pre-seminar planning team such as the Ambassador Recuitment Team or the Fundraising and Partnership Team. This will consist of a few hours of work each month starting in January.
Do I get service hours?
- During the seminar, you’ll receive 5 hours for June 3rd, 12 hours for June 4th, 13 hours for June 4th, and 4 hours for June 6th, totaling to 34 hours for volunteering during the seminar.
- You will undergo about 2 hours of self-paced virtual training that will qualify for service hours.
- 1 additional service hour per virtual meeting attended prior to the seminar.
- Any time spent working with a pre-seminar planning team also counts toward service hours.
This is my first time working with HOBY. What exactly is HOBY?
Check out our About page!
Any other questions?
Reach out to the respective director!
- Director of Staff: Greg Ray, greg@hobytn.org (Manages volunteer recruitment, selection, and logistics. Contact me for questions about volunteering)
- Director of Programs: Blake Parker, blake@hobytn.org (Manages curriculum and activities throughout the seminar. Contact me if you have questions about pre-seminar trainings.)
- Director of Partnerships, Julia Kienzler, julia@hobytn.org (Manages reaching out to businesses, universities, and other organizations to support HOBY TN)
- Director of Recruitment, Ethan Triplett, ethan@hobytn.org (Manages helping schools send ambassadors to HOBY).
- Leadership Seminar Chair, Ansley Atchley, ansley@hobytn.org (Contact for any overarching seminar questions that don’t fit any of the above directors’ positions.)