Community Involvement Hours - OCDSB
Community Involvement Hours | Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Use the links below to find some volunteering opportunities in your area that may spark your interest! There are many volunteering placements throughout the community that may not be listed below.
Volunteers must be high school students and 14+ years of age.
Haunt Night Volunteer Expectations
• Arrive at 5:00 pm on the evenings you have agreed to volunteer, and stay until approximately 9:45 pm
o You can volunteer for 1, 2, or all 3 nights
• All volunteers must pre-register by sending an email to haunt@watsonsmill.com and must fill out a registration form.
o A volunteer position cannot be guaranteed unless you pre-register and receive a confirmation email from Watson’s Mill.
• Arrive in comfortable black clothing (including dark coloured shoes)
• Dress in layers according to the weather. The Mill is NOT heated and it can be cool to start and then warm up as the night goes on. Additional costume pieces will be provided.
• Be respectful of other volunteers, Watson’s Mill staff members and visitors
• Be respectful of the site: Watson’s Mill and The Carriage Shed
o Help to keep these areas clean and tidy
Haunt Night Volunteer Privileges
• You will be provided with free pizza and water in the prep room
• Volunteers are welcome to bring their own snacks and reusable water bottles.
Watson’s Mill Staff will send out an information email the week of the Haunt noting any major allergies amongst the volunteers. We kindly ask that any snacks brought into our space be free of the noted allergens.
• You are welcome and encouraged to add ideas or improvised elements to your scene, as long as they are not dangerous or offensive. Talk to your floor leader with any changes.
o You can wear your own costume pieces/bring props but they must be approved by event organizers
Haunt Night Volunteer Rules
• Be Safe. This event involves tight spaces, very low lighting, and a LOT of people. If at any time you are concerned for your own safety, or feel you are being asked to do something you are not comfortable with, stop and contact your floor leader immediately.
• Be sensitive. Some visitors will be nervous entering the Haunt. These guests will be offered a small battery-operated candle to hold while they go through. If you see a guest holding a candle, please tone down the spookiness for that group. If no one has a candle, let loose! But be aware that if someone is genuinely terrified, it is ok to break character and escort them to an area of safety at the exits.
• Do not touch the guests. You may stand close to visitors, but you may not physically touch them at any time, with any part of your body. Visitors are also not allowed to touch you. This also applies to other volunteers. Be mindful of your proximity to guests and other volunteers especially when yelling/screaming.
• Buddy up! You will not be assigned a scene or area by yourself, and you should never be alone in your scene.
• Stay in your scene. You will be assigned a scene at the beginning of the evening, with a matching costume. Some scenes can bleed into one another, but in general we ask that you stay in your assigned scene at all times, and if you need a break please return promptly. Always make sure to inform the other members of your scene before you leave.
• Stay in Character. Unless there is a compelling reason (terrified guest, emergency evacuation, etc.), please stay in character while guests are around, and try to be quiet when no guests are in your scene. Overhearing chit chat between volunteers can spoil the illusion.
Volunteer Hours
• Haunt Night volunteers can earn up to 15 hours towards the required 40 hours of community service to graduate high school
• Volunteer Hour Log Sheets are supplied by each high school/school board and are usually found online at the school/board’s website. Waston’s Mill WILL NOT search for or print off log sheets for you.
• Volunteer Hour Log Sheets will be signed at the end of each night. Students volunteering for more than 1 night should only get their Log signed on the last night they volunteer
Consequences
Watson’s Mill staff members reserve the right to ask any volunteers to leave the Haunt if they do not follow these guidelines or are generally being disruptive or unsafe. In this event, the volunteer’s parent/guardian will be contacted. Staff members will then wait with the volunteer in the Watson’s Mill Office until a parent/guardian arrives.
Watson’s Mill is not obligated to sign Volunteer Hour Log Sheets for any partial hours earned by those who have been removed from the Haunt due to safety concerns.
Once again, thank you so much for volunteering at Haunt Nights! We can’t wait to scare with you!
Volunteer Ottawa - #1 Volunteer Search in Ottawa
About Volunteer Ottawa
Founded in 1957, Volunteer Ottawa is one of approximately 150 volunteer centers across Canada. Volunteer Ottawa connects people to one another and to hundreds of local charities that rely on the time and talent of volunteers. We provide supports and services to promote and celebrate volunteerism, help volunteers find opportunities, strengthen non-profit capacity through training and networking, inspire diversity and inclusion, and encourage local employers to invest in the community.
United for Literacy - Volunteer | Make a Difference | United for Literacy
The Power of Volunteering
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our literacy services. Each year, over 1,500 volunteers give thousands of hours to United for Literacy. They tutor math, reading, and writing; read stories at our Reading Tents; help with special events; and more. We are always looking for more people to volunteer with us.
Read on to learn more about becoming a Program Volunteer to work with children, youth, or adults. We offer flexibility—our literacy programs take place both online and in person. Read the FAQs to find out more about becoming an Event Volunteer and other volunteer opportunities.
Programs vary from region to region. Contact your regional United for Literacy office to find out about tutoring and other volunteer opportunities available in your area.
No teaching experience? No problem! Program volunteers come from many different backgrounds and skill sets. What they share is a wish for everyone to enjoy the benefits of reading, writing, math, and other essential skills. United for Literacy volunteer tutors are all trained and supported by staff and experienced volunteers.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
Canada has long prided itself as a country of people who volunteer, serve and participate. However, this landscape is shifting and trends on volunteerism and participation have been declining, especially post-pandemic. As community needs and volunteer motivations change, we need to find new ways to reinvigorate community participation. Volunteer Canada is navigating the complexities of modern volunteerism. We are working to remove barriers to participation so that every individual feels empowered to contribute to building more connected communities.
OVCN is the province-wide network of volunteer centres promoting volunteering in communities throughout Ontario.
Learn about education, training, jobs, volunteer, and opportunities to make your voice heard.
CharityVillage | Source for Nonprofit Jobs, Hiring Tools, and eLearning
CharityVillage® is a career resource to over 170,000 charitable and nonprofit organizations across Canada. We offer paid job postings and free volunteer listings as well as nonprofit & charitable sector resources and eLearning courses.
For 30 years, CharityVillage has been the HR partner for recruitment in the Canadian nonprofit sector. Our specialized job and volunteer board for Canadian nonprofit professionals has helped thousands of organizations find exceptional talent. Through our online learning courses, volunteer and event listings, webinars, newsletters, articles, tools and resources, we help nonprofit staff and volunteers do their best work every day.
Give your time. Change lives.
We love our volunteers! Last year, over 11,524 volunteers donated their time and skills to support BGC Clubs across Canada. Whether mentoring, helping with homework, lending a hand with renovations, prepping meals, or running Club activities, our volunteers are an essential resource.
OFB Volunteer Handbook 2023 Redesigned ENGLISH
Join the team of #OttawasBestVolunteers and support the work of the Ottawa Food Bank
Volunteer With Us: Help Reshape the Future of Health Care
Our volunteers represent diverse cultures, age groups, abilities, and life experiences. Some are looking ahead to future careers in health care; others are looking back over the rich life experiences that have equipped them for their role as volunteers. Whatever their backgrounds, all our volunteers are working to help The Ottawa Hospital reshape the future of health care.
A volunteer’s gift of time, talent, and energy are invaluable to patients, visitors, and staff.
To volunteer, all you need is the following:
- A willingness to help people
- Some time to share
- A desire to challenge yourself
Commitments and Qualifications
- Volunteers must be 16 years or older (for the summer student program, students must have completed Grade 10 to qualify).
- Eight-month commitment (50 hour minimum for summer students). Cottagers and snowbirds are welcome!
- Most assignments require one shift of 3-4 hours per week.
- The desire to always provide EXCELLENT customer service
- Excellent at working in a cooperative team environment
- Eager to participate in courses and change practices in continuous pursuit of excellence
Timelines and Opportunities
We have a thorough screening and training process. If a good fit is found for your interests and availability, it can take 1 to 2 months to start volunteering.
Please note that for information to be current, we keep applications for a period of four months, after which, you need to re-apply.
Here are some of the volunteer roles at The Ottawa Hospital:
- Wayfinding (Info desk. entrance navigator and Infoguide+)
- Recreational therapy
- Virtual Program (Info desk, courtesy calls, chemo teach)
- Inpatient and Outpatient Units (ED, ICU, Eye Care Centre, Surgical Day Care, Hemodialysis, Cancer Centre)
- Office Helpers
- Wellness Centre Support
- Musical Moments
- Transitional Care (offsite locations)
- Pet Therapy (Pet Therapy volunteers must first be certified by either St John’s Ambulance or Ottawa Therapy Dogs to volunteer at The Ottawa Hospital)
We continue to work with our TOH leaders to develop new and exciting volunteer roles and programs and welcome great new ideas from our volunteers, staff and families.
This free program is a Canada Service Corp funded project to empower youth aged 12 to 30 by offering meaningful volunteer service placements and professional development activities. YRES has 3,200 spots available across Canada to offer free mentorship, lunch networking, and training to students and we hope to serve students from your school.
Youth Volunteer Opportunities at the OHS!
The youth volunteer program is designed to provide a meaningful hands-on opportunity at the OHS for youth ages 14-18, with an interest in animal welfare. The program allows qualified successful candidates the opportunity to work with our summer camp staff, in facilitating camp programming for children.
Read more about the opportunity here.
Interested youth volunteers can apply here!
For more info contact our coordinator: volunteers via email at volunteering@ottawahumane.ca or by telephone at 613-725-3166 ext. 264.
Volunteering requires enthusiasm, commitment and a desire to help others.
- You must be at least 14 years old to be a volunteer
- You must submit an application. This can be done online through Better Impact. An application is not a guarantee of a placement.
- Volunteer screening includes an interview and reference checks
- Some volunteer placements may require a Police Records Check
- Volunteering at the Library counts toward the Ontario Ministry of Education requirement of community involvement for high school graduation
For more information, contact: libraryvolunteers [at] BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca
Volunteer opportunities are also available from the City of Ottawa.
Volunteer tasks for teens
Teens can complete 40 hours of the Ontario Ministry of Education requirement for community involvement at the Library in a variety of ways. Teens who wish to volunteer must have parent/guardian permission, through Better Impact.
- Joining a Teen Advisory Group (ages 14 to 18). Examples of projects and responsibilities of TAGs can be found here
- Helping Children’s staff with programs
- Preparing craft materials and program supplies
- Designing and maintaining displays
- Helping during children’s activities
- Helping to prepare for upcoming Teen programs
- Teen Author Fest (annually in the Fall)
- Helping with programs for seniors
- Assisting in Wii gaming programs
- Being a monitor during computer classes
- Preparing kits for outreach events
- Every Kid a Card campaign, 1-2-3 Read with me, Summer Reading Club, and / or Share the Words program
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- Encouraging children who are reluctant readers to develop the self-confidence and the motivation to read for pleasure
- This program matches a volunteer teen who is an avid reader with a younger reluctant reader on a one-to-one basis
- Summer Volunteer Program for Teens
- Assist with a variety of projects during July and August
- Special Events
- Shelf Maintenance
- Putting materials in order
- Sorting materials