Why Volunteer?

By: Volunteer Success

It’s really important to think about why you want to volunteer to find the right role. Are you simply doing it to graduate because community service hours are required for high school graduation in your province? Or are you looking for a meaningful experience?

  • There are great benefits to volunteering for both high school students and college/university students
  • Think about your specific why(s) for volunteering:
    • Use or develop skills: check out this skills self-assessment
    • Explore your interests and a career path. Get some great ideas here!
    • Develop your resume or application for post-secondary school
    • Give back to the community and contribute to something larger than yourself
    • Meet new people and develop your network

Once you can answer your why, go to: Where & Who to Volunteer With?

Also check out:

When can I volunteer?

How to Find the Right Volunteer Opportunity

How to Apply for Volunteer Roles

How-to Tips for Interviewing and Email Communications

How-to Tips for Applying for Unadvertised Volunteer Opportunities

How-to Tips for Working in the Volunteer Role

How to Troubleshoot Problems in Your Volunteer Role

How to Get a Reference and/or Paid Role!

Also read…

Fist bumps or handshakes:thoughts for volunteer programs to address during uncertain times

By: Lori Gotlieb

This article looks at how to manage volunteers during uncertain times. How do we plan for the unknown?

BUILDING DIVERSE & EQUITABLE NONPROFIT BOARDS: A PANEL DISCUSSION WITH SECTOR EXPERTS

By: Charityvillage

Earlier this year, Statistics Canada released the results of a survey exploring the diversity of charity and nonprofit boards in Canada. The results confirmed what many in the sector already know – that those who identify as immigrants, persons of colour, LGBTQ2+ individuals, persons with a disability, and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit are vastly underrepresented on nonprofit and charity boards of directors. In this panel discussion we discuss the implications of these findings and what organizations can do to build a more diverse and equitable sector, starting with their boards.

4 Key Tips for Highly Effective Volunteer Vetting

By: Kimberly Chochon, Sterling Volunteers, Mark Hopwood, VolunteerMatters

Certainly, volunteers bring tremendous value to nonprofit organizations by contributing in many capacities. You may have firsthand experience with the impact volunteers can make. They might help with in-person or virtual events, facilitate fundraising, promote advocacy, partake in programs and service delivery, or be involved on a leadership board — to name a few. It’s important to keep in mind that with each type of volunteering, there is a necessary process for properly vetting volunteers as you onboard them.