Durham

Volunteer Opportunities

Why volunteer?

Are you seeking a meaningful volunteer experience where you can help enrich the lives of children and youth? Volunteering with BGC Durham is a great opportunity to give back to the community, expand your social and professional network, gain leadership experience, and enhance your skill set.

Volunteers are the backbone of the great work we do at BGC. We rely on the efforts of volunteers and staff to ensure that children and youth have access to the best programs and services. BGC Durham has a variety of exciting volunteer opportunities, including assisting in the After-School Program, aquatics programs, special events, fundraising, and becoming a committee member. All volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.

How to get involved?

If helping children and youth overcome obstacles and reach their potential sounds like a rewarding experience for you please complete our volunteer application form and submit it to tfarrsullivan@bgcdurham.com.

For more information, contact Tracy at: 905-728-5121 x263 or tfarrsullivan@bgcdurham.com

Current Volunteer Opportunities

We are currently looking for volunteers in the following areas

Swimming Lesson Volunteers - Summer Camp
Swim with a Buddy Volunteers - Summer Camp
Board of Directors - Treasurer
Youth Justice Committee Volunteers
Volunteer Gardeners

Please scroll down for more information about each opportunity

Aquatics Volunteer Opportunities

Swimming Lessons Volunteer - Summer Camp

Volunteers will assist the Swimming Instructor during lessons that occur during our summer camp program in July and August. The program runs Monday - Friday at our Eastview location -- 433 Eulalie Ave., Oshawa.

Be at least 14 years of age
Provide two references (neither can be from family members)
Have or be working towards Bronze Star
Commit to a schedule for July and August*
If over 18 years of age, a Vulnerable Sector Check is required

*The tentative schedule will be 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 pm.. and 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The schedule is subject to change.

For more information, please contact Tracy Farr-Sullivan at tfarrsullivan@bgcdurham.com.

Swim with a Buddy Volunteers - Summer Camp

Swim with a Buddy Volunteers will help young children become comfortable in the water during our summer camp program at our Eastview location -- 433 Eulalie Ave., Oshawa.

The tentative schedule for Swim with a Buddy Volunteers is Monday - Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule is subject to change.

Volunteers must meet the following requirements:

At least 14 years old
Provide 2 references (neither can be from family members)
Able to swim and comfortable in the water
Able to commit to a set schedule
Volunteers over 18 years old require a Vulnerable Sector check

For more information, please contact Tracy Farr-Sullivan at tfarrsullivan@bgcdurham.com

Board of Directors

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Plan, Vision and Mission

Engage in ongoing planning and oversight of activities to support the mission of BGC Durham and its strategic direction
Define specific goals and objectives related to the mission and strategic direction and monitor and evaluate the success of BGC Durham’s achievement of such goals and objectives

Financial and Risk Management

Approve policies for the effective, efficient and cost-effective operation of BGC Durham
Through effective and prudent planning and risk management, oversee the financial resources in a manner that meets operational goals and strategic objectives
Approve and monitor the annual operations budget
Ensure compliance with regulatory reporting and filing requirements

Fund Development

Actively participate in the fundraising process through fundraising events sponsored by BGC Durham
Review and approve fundraising activities

Human Resources and Governance

Oversee the performance of the Executive Director (including hiring, monitoring performance, etc.)
Approve written Human Resources and Board Governance policies and procedures
Delegate the operations of the organization to the Executive Director

Community Relations

Represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile.

Meeting Attendance

Attend and actively participate in monthly Board Meetings (3rd Wednesday evening of the month), or ad-hoc as required
Participate on Board Committees

Qualifications

The ideal candidate should possess some or all of the following:

Financial acumen (ability to read financial statements, and identify risks)
Governance experience as it relates to non-profits
Marketing/Communications experience related to branding
Solid Communication skills
Human Resources experience
Legal knowledge/expertise
Business acumen (strategic thinking ability, understands economic impacts and organization culture)
Community representative

The BGC Durham is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. We thank all applicants for their interest however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to the attention of Kathleen Hutton, Executive Director at khutton@bgcdurham.com.

Youth Justice Volunteer Opportunities

Youth Justice Committee Volunteer

Reports To: Youth Justice Services Director/Volunteer Coordinator

Location: Oshawa/Durham Region

Time: Weeknight Hours

The Youth Justice Committee is a youth diversion program established under the Youth Criminal Justice Act as an alternative to the formal court system to handle low risk offences committed by young persons between their 12 and 18th birthdays in the Durham Region. Volunteers will meet with young people alleged to have committed a low risk offence and possibly the person(s) harmed, to discuss what happened and how the young person is going to make amends. Meetings with youth may be in-person or virtual, depending on the individual case.

Skills/Experience/Responsibilities

Excellent listening and communication skills
A willingness to work with youth
Facilitate conferences with the youth and person(s) harmed
Maintain confidentiality
Respect fellow facilitators as well as the youth, person(s) harmed and other participants
Be committed to the interests of young people, person(s) harmed and the community as a whole
Bilingualism is an asset

Requirements

Minimum age of 21
Clear Criminal Reference Check
Complete required Ministry training provided by BGC Durham
Take an Oath of Confidentiality
Attend Youth Justice Committee meetings as arranged
Attend all other trainings and workshops that enhance your role as a volunteer
Be available evenings during the week

Please contact Jill Dallaire at jdallaire@bgcdurham.com or (289) 404-3259 for more information.

To apply, please submit a resume to Jill Dallaire (email listed above). All interviews will be conducted via Zoom.

Additional Opportunities

Volunteer Gardeners

BGC Durham is looking for volunteers to help maintain our gardens. Although this opportunity is flexible to your schedule, the ideal candidate would be able to commit to one or two days per week for the duration of the season (June - September). Volunteers can expect to do light maintenance on our gardens to help ensure the exterior of our building is upkept.