FAQsFrequently asked questions about volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society: How do I become a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society?How do I find out more information about Canadian Cancer Society volunteer opportunities?What volunteer opportunities are available?Are there any volunteer opportunities in my community?Is there an age requirement to volunteer?Are there special student or youth programs?Are Internships available?How much time will volunteering take?Are there evening and weekend opportunities?What do I have to commit to as a volunteer?What is the Canadian Cancer Society's commitment to it's volunteers?What are the benefits of volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society?What are the guidelines for fundraisers?Can I create my own fundraiser?What if I'm only available to volunteer on a sporadic basis - can I still get involved?Can I get a letter of reference for my volunteer hours?How do I become a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society?To become a Canadian Cancer Society volunteer, please register online. Lend your hands and heart to help us with our mission of eradicating cancer and enhancing the quality of life of people living with cancer. As a registered volunteer you'll have access to special volunteer resources and receive the latest information on Canadian Cancer Society events, programs and departments. How do I find out more information about Canadian Cancer Society volunteer opportunities?For more information about our volunteer program and the many ways to volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society check out volunteer activities which describes the events, programs and departments that offer volunteer opportunities. Once you have registered you can search and sign up for a Volunteer Orientation which will provide you with a further introduction to the Canadian Cancer Society along with the Volunteer Handbook. Positions will allow you to search positions by your community, interests and skills. For any other questions or concerns you may have, please contact us at volunteer@bc.cancer.ca or call our Volunteer Hotline at 866-770-4809. What volunteer opportunities are available?Volunteers have the opportunity to promote health, advocate and engage in community action to promote cancer prevention. Volunteers provide peer and practical support to people with cancer. Volunteers support fundraising through events, corporate engagement and personal giving. Volunteers lead community initiatives through volunteer leadership, volunteer on boarding, marketing and communication and community inclusion. Office, reception, book keeping and administration tasks are all performed by volunteers. For more information about the many volunteer opportunities available, please check out our Volunteer Activities. Are there any volunteer opportunities in my community?You can search the volunteer opportunities in your community through our online Positions search. If you have a different work community or live close to another community, you may wish to search for opportunities there as well. Perhaps you might find a match to your skills, interests and abilities in a virtual volunteer opportunity. For more details about a volunteer opportunity you are interested in, call our Volunteer Hotline 866-770-4809. Is there an age requirement to volunteer?Residents of BC and Yukon of all ages participate in supporting the Canadian Cancer Society by volunteering, donating and participating in events. We welcome volunteers of all ages, but ask that youth 13 years old and younger volunteer under the supervision of a parent, legal guardian, club supervisor or teacher. Registration for volunteers under 13 is not available online. Please call our Volunteer Hotline 866-770-4809 for more information. Youth ages 13 - 18 are invited to register online with parental or legal guardian permission. Are there special student or youth programs?To search for positions specifically designed for youth, enter "youth" in Positions as an "interest." Most Canadian Cancer Society events are able to include youth volunteer opportunities. For more information on specific events please contact our Volunteer Hotline at 866-770-4809 or email volunteer@bc.cancer.ca for more information. Are Internships available?A limited number of internships are available at our BC and Yukon Division and Regional offices. Placement is subject to the needs of the Canadian Cancer Society and the skills, abilities and interests of the student. Interns have initiated and continue to support projects in Volunteer Resources, Recognition, Recruitment, Young Professionals Engagement and Youth Engagement. Internship applications are accepted year round. To be considered for an intern positions, please forward your cover letter and resume to volunteer@bc.cancer.ca. The Canadian Cancer Society does not provide financial support or housing for Interns. How much time will volunteering take?Volunteer positions are available for four hours a year to four hours a week and most are flexible to your schedule. When searching for a volunteer opportunity, please review the time commitment outlined in the position description. For more information call our Volunteer Hotline at 866-770-4809. Are there evening and weekend opportunities?Most Canadian Cancer Society committee meetings, fundraising events and peer support programs incorporate evenings and weekends. Office and administrative roles tend to focus of office hours. When searching for a volunteer opportunity, please review the time commitment outlined in the position description. For more information call our Volunteer Hotline at 866-770-4809. What do I have to commit to as a volunteer?All volunteers and employees are asked to sign a Statement of Confidentiality, Code of Conduct. CCS volunteers and staff are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that follows the organization's mission, values and principles. Volunteer Assignment guides will identify lines of accountability and communication. The Society expects all volunteer to assume diligent responsibility for their attendance and promptness. For further information on volunteer commitment please refer to the Volunteer Handbook. What is the Canadian Cancer Society's commitment to it's volunteers?The Society commits to providing appropriate screening and orientation for all volunteer positions. Volunteers are provided with opportunities for feedback and evaluation as well as recognition and awards appropriate to their contribution. We believe that each individual has the right to be treated in a manner which fosters feelings of dignity and self-worth. Policies and procedures are established to minimize risks and to protect our volunteers, staff and clients. The CCS is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of its volunteers. For further information on the commitment of the Canadian Cancer Society to its volunteers please refer to the Volunteer Handbook. What are the benefits of volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society?Every volunteer brings with them a unique combination of expectations and motivations in their desire to share their time. Some of the benefits they experience include:
What are the guidelines for fundraisers?All CCS volunteers and staff members involved in fundraising are expected to model the highest standards for ethical fundraising by adhering to Imagine Canada's Ethical Fundraising and Financial Accountability Code. This Code may be accessed on Imagine Canada's website at http://www.imaginecanada.ca. Can I create my own fundraiser?As a volunteer you have the opportunity to participate in approved Canadian Cancer Society fundraisers. For more information on CCS fundraisers see events. Community members and volunteers also have the opportunity to support the Canadian Cancer Society through holding their own event. What if I'm only available to volunteer on a sporadic basis - can I still get involved?The Canadian Cancer Society has many short term volunteer opportunities which are ideal for short term sporadic involvement. Some examples are Christmas Gift Wrap volunteer, April Residential Door to Door Canvasser, Daffodil Day volunteer, Relay for Life event volunteer and Cops for Cancer event volunteer. For more information on these opportunities, see events. Can I get a letter of reference for my volunteer hours?Letters of reference may be requested after a minimum of six months or 50 hours of volunteer service. To make a request for a letter of reference contact your staff partner by calling the Volunteer Hotline 866-770-4809 or email volunteer@bc.cancer.ca . |
