Peer Reviewer Program
Recovery Community Organizations are peer-run and MARCO’s RCO certification is peer-led. The Peer Reviewer Program uses the knowledge and experience of Minnesota’s RCO leadership to support the state’s grassroots recovery movement.
What is a Peer Reviewer?
Peer Reviewers are members of the recovery community who have extensive knowledge and experience with Recovery Community Organization development, leadership, and/or operations. They commit to approximately 15 hours of service over a two-month time frame, during which they review RCO certification application materials, make a site visit to an RCO, and participate in a panel discussion. Using RCO National Standards and relevant Minnesota statutes as a framework, they provide constructive written and verbal feedback for applicants and make certification recommendations.
See the full Peer Reviewer position description.
Who can be a Peer Reviewer?
MARCO is always looking for qualified peer reviewers who will share their knowledge and expertise in the RCO certification process. We are looking for people who:
- Are interested in contributing to building a recovery-oriented future by strengthening RCOs in Minnesota
- Have thorough knowledge of Recovery Community Organization standards through personal lived experience or related program experience and education
- Can analyze applications effectively and without bias around specific criteria
- Are willing and able to provide written and oral comments based on their professional knowledge that will be shared with the applicant
- Can work well with a group and be open to constructive conversations with others about the application.
Additionally, Peer Reviewers must:
- Be able to listen attentively to the input of other reviewers
- Engage in discussion
- Be willing to bridge differences
- Work with other reviewers to synthesize comments, especially when resolving discrepancies in opinions
- Be able to recognize and acknowledge implicit and explicit bias and demonstrate cultural humility
Why be a Peer Reviewer?
Serving as a Peer Reviewer is an excellent professional development opportunity and a way to pick up new ideas, network, and actively participate in the efforts to advance the grassroots recovery movement across Minnesota!
How do I become a Peer Reviewer?
Prospective peer reviewers can submit their information using the online application. You may see the application questions in PDF format here, but please submit your information using the online form below.
What's next?
After you submit your application, a MARCO team member may contact you for additional information if needed. You will be notified of your status within one month of submitting your application. If you are accepted as a Peer Reviewer, you will be sent onboarding information and scheduled for a one-hour virtual training. Once your training is complete, you will be added to the Peer Reviewer roster.
When we have an open application cycle, we will contact Peer Reviewers about their availability. If you are available and have no conflicts of interest, you will be assigned a group of three to five applications to review, scheduled for a site visit, and scheduled for the Peer Reviewer panel discussion. We estimate that the time commitment will be approximately 10-15 hours during each review cycle. Reviewers will be offered a stipend for their time and mileage reimbursement for any travel.
