Get Involved

You would like to volunteer, but you aren’t sure where to start or what kind of a position you are looking for? Here’s a tip: begin by asking yourself some questions in order to better understand your motivations for wanting to give back to our community (this might help you to focus your search and to ensure that you are getting what YOU need out of a volunteer placement as well):

• Do you have any special skills, interests, hobbies?
• Do you have any special training or courses that you wish to make use of in a volunteer placement?
• Are you looking to gain career-related skills or experience? If so, in what area?
• How much time do you realistically have to volunteer per week?
• Do you have any previous volunteer experience? If so, did you like what you were doing before or would you like to try something different?
• Do you like to volunteer one-on-one, individually or as part of a group?
• Is there a group of people that you are particularly interested in working with (i.e. children, people with disabilities, seniors, youth, Aboriginal community, women groups, etc.)

People have many reasons for volunteering. There is no right or wrong reason for wanting to give back. In general, most volunteers feel they gain more than they give. Here is a list of commonly mentioned benefits of volunteering:

• Gaining valuable skills and knowledge
• Having fun
• Making new friends
• Honing problem-solving skills
• Building self-esteem and confidence
• Discovering and developing interesting career paths
• Developing networks of community/business/social contacts
• Exploring new interests
• Participating in important decisions
• Acquiring valuable work experience
• Securing job references
• Sharing talents, skills and abilities
• Giving back to the community

If you need assistance, you’re not alone. Each year hundreds of people look to Volunteer Thunder Bay to discover rewarding opportunities that suit their talents, interests and schedules. Here are some of the services Volunteer Thunder Bay offers to help you get connected in our community:

• Online volunteer opportunities database at www.volunteerthunderbay.com

There are hundreds of positions available. VTB’s online volunteer opportunities database will make your search quick and easy. Here are a few sample categories which you might want to explore:

• Administration/Organization
• Communication/ Public Relations
• Computer Services
• Cultural Activities
• Education
• Environment
• Animals
• Fundraising
• Gardening/Maintenance
• Health
• Nutrition
• Recreation
• Social Support
• Transportation
• Youth and Family Services

Select a volunteer opportunity from the either of the following:

• Event Opportunities
• Ongoing Opportunities