District of Saanich

Social Program Hosts are reliable, welcoming and a helpful addition to Saanich recreation centres, enabling Older Adults to enjoy frequently connecting in a public space. The role is to work in collaboration with the Programmer I Older Adults Services and other volunteers at that site to facilitate Older Adults using the space for games, connection and socializing including coffee/tea and light snacks. We are currently in need of volunteers at G.R. Pearkes, and Gordon Head Recreation Centre. Volunteers would choose a specific centre or centres to regularly host at.

• G.R Pearkes Mondays & Wednesdays 9am - 11:30am (choose 1 or both days)
• Gordon Head Tuesdays 12:30 - 3:15 pm

Being a Social Program Host:

• Open the program room and begin coffee/tea/snack preparation
• Prepare the space with any small adjustments, games set ups, attendance list/nametags out
• Connect with participants as they arrive, by name, and inquiring how they are
• Facilitate new participants:

• Introduce to ongoing participants
• Engage in conversation to get to know them
• Help them explore activities offered in the social program
• Welcome them back again next time  

• Add to the welcoming nature of the program by:

• Connecting with all participants (initiate conversation, offer food/beverage, play games, option to bring a book or photos to talk with others about)
• Making sure the space remains accessible and equitable to all participants
• Take feedback on the program and share that with the Programmer I to adapt and grow the program
• Answer questions about this program and other social opportunities in the centre available for Older Adults
• Direct questions you can not answer to the right people, places or information sources (front desk staff, other staff in the room)
• At the end of program, clean up program room volunteers (put away games/crafts, food & beverage items away in cupboards/compost/fridge/freezer, clean up dishes by either wash/dry or loading/turn on dishwasher, wipe counters)
• Connect with staff, instructors and other volunteers in a friendly, welcoming way

Application Process:  

• Complete a Volunteer Application (on-line: Click the blue Fill In an Application button to start!)
• Complete a Police Information Check (free of charge!)
• Complete required paperwork: Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, Child/Vulnerable Persons Training
• Participate in a Volunteer Meet and Match Interview

Desired Skill Set:

• We welcome a diverse spectrum of cultural backgrounds, abilities, genders and ages! If you have a passion to better your community, please apply!
• Excellent interpersonal skills; pro-active, friendly, active listener, patient, empathetic and good-natured
• Genuine interest in interacting with those 55yrs+, enhancing the friendly and welcoming feel of Saanich spaces to all cultural backgrounds, abilities, genders and ages
• A willingness to develop a strong knowledge of the district of Saanich, recreation centres and community services is an asset. (ongoing learning opportunities provided)
• A willingness to develop knowledge of general programs, rooms, layout, entrances and exits (we will teach this)
• A willingness to prepare food/coffee/tea and support participants in social chatting
• Be able to work independently or with other volunteers with limited on site supervision (staff is always available if needed)
• 19 years or older
• Proficient in the English language, other languages an asset, but not required

Preferred Commitment and Schedule:

• Weekly commitment to a social program in one or more centres
• G.R Pearkes Mondays & Wednesdays 9am - 11:30am (Choose 1 or both days)
• Gordon Head Tuesdays 12:30 - 3 pm

• Consistent attendance is required. We can accommodate appointments and vacations with advanced notice.
• 3 month minimum commitment

Working Conditions:  

• Indoors in multi-purpose rooms/community centre spaces with a kitchen, seating and games
• May operate unassisted or with other volunteers (staff is always available if needed)
• Sitting, standing, moving around, in close proximity to others, constantly connecting with the group

Locations: We are currently seeking volunteers for

• G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre
• Gordon Head Recreation Centre

Contact:  
Chantal Knorren-McGrath, Interim Coordinator of Volunteers 
volunteer@saanich.ca

Facilitator - SpeakWell ESL English Conversation Program

The SpeakWell ESL English Conversation Program supports new immigrants, refugees, and other ESL learners in sharpening their English-speaking and comprehension skills.

The Facilitator facilitates conversations around a given topic, presented through established lesson plans and assists participants with pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary development, and listening skills.

Facilitator's Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Create a friendly, safe, enjoyable atmosphere and encourage people to discuss given topics.
• Assist individuals in conversation by providing feedback and guidance on pronunciation and vocabulary as well as directly teach pronunciation and vocabulary to small groups of participants.
• Answer questions and support participant’s learning of conversational English.

Facilitator Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements: 

• 19 years or older.
• Friendly, outgoing, enthusiastic attitude with an interest in helping new immigrants, refugees and other ESL learners develop speaking skills to assist them to become active members of our community.
• Ability to assist learners with pronunciation, vocabulary development as well as some basic grammar points.
• Teaching English as a Second Language training and teaching experience an asset.
• Ability to speak and understand additional languages is an asset.
• Clear Police Information Check.
• Ability to speak English fluently.
• Canadian Language Benchmarks – Stage III - Speaking – Benchmark 12 see Profile of Ability p. 70
• http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/language-benchmarks.pdf

Orientation and Training (provided): 

• Volunteer Application (Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, Policies for Volunteers and Contractors)
• Child Protection/Vulnerable Persons Training
• Volunteer Impact Orientation
• Supervisor Meet and Match Interview
• Site and Role Orientation

Commitment and schedule: One weekly shift on Saturday afternoons between 1:00 - 3:30pm. Program runs 1:30 - 3:00pm, with a half hour of prep and clean up on either side.  A 1-year commitment is ideal; a minimum commitment of 6 months is expected.

Working Conditions:  Indoor.  Sitting and standing and moving around the room.  Able to lift 20 lbs.  Multipurpose room setting.  Supervised.

Contact and communication: Program Coordinator – Derek Swallow – speakwellesl@gmail.com. Programmer II: Jason Jones, 250-475-5427, e: jason.jones@saanich.ca 

Benefits to the Volunteer include improved mental health; increased longevity; improved physical health; improved social wellness; potential for employment; seasonal recognition rewards

Why a Conversation program? To:

• Increase participant’s comfort and confidence speaking English through interaction with patient, friendly facilitators and other group members within a relaxed, informal environment.
• Provide an inclusive environment where participant increase their verbal English fluency and comprehension, and enhance their English pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar skills.
• Provide a venue where immigrants deepen their relationship with the Saanich region by connecting with other community members, participating in community activities offered through Saanich’s Recreation centers, and hopefully meld so firmly with our community they willingly participate in community decision-making bodies such as regional boards.
• Promote cross-cultural understanding through activities that generate cross-cultural learning.

The Preschool Program Assistant enhances the delivery of our quality preschool programs that run weekly in the mornings by offering additional relationships, supervision, role-modeling and assistance.  Ideal for those who love working with very young children. Your positivity, encouraging attitude, patience, and joyful approach to discovery and play is a resource for the instructor and participants.

Note: Various themes and areas of focus depending on specific program (eg. French language-learning, cooking, arts and crafts, nature-based, etc).

Potential Program Opportunities:

• Educating Children Outdoors Nature Preschool         8:45am - 12:15pm           Thurs    @ Swan Lake

• Silly Saturdays                                                            9:15am  - 11:30am             Sat                @ Saanich Commonwealth Place

• Variety of Programs                    approx 8:45am - 11:00am       Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, OR Fri     @ Saanich Commonwealth Place

Duties and Responsibilities:
•    Model safe behavior
•    Use positive, encouraging language
•    Assist preschool staff with activities and games 
•    Help with set up and clean up
•    Report to the program instructor
•    Greet children and parents and make them feel comfortable
•    Help track attendance
•    Initiate play with the children
•    Maintain a fun, safe and clean classroom environment
•    Establish a fair play atmosphere
•    Must wear appropriate clothing including close-toed shoes, and be comfortable getting messy. 

Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements:  
•    16 yrs+
•    Experience working with children aged 3 to 5 years in a related setting is an asset
•    Ability to speak languages other than English is an asset
•    Patient and supportive approach working with children
•    Friendly personality and one who uses their initiative
•    Proficient in the English language
•    Clear current Criminal Records Check or Police Information Check

Orientation and Training (provided):  
•    Volunteer Application (Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, Policies for Volunteers and Contractors)
•    Child Protection/Vulnerable Persons Training
•    Supervisor Meet and Match Interview
•    Site and Role Orientation

Commitment and schedule: At least one regular weekly shift for a minimum of 3 months.  

Working Conditions:  

• Mostly indoors but can go outdoors.  
• Sitting, standing, moving throughout a multi-purpose space.  
• Able to lift 40 lbs.  
• Staff supervised.

Contact and communication: 

Gordon Head (including Swan Lake)     Kathryn Allan,  250-475-7113, kathryn.allan@saanich.ca

Saanich Commonwealth Place               Ruth Smith, 250-475-7603, ruth.smith@saanich.ca 

The Community Arts Assistant - Sewing is an integral part of the Festive Flags Community Bunting Project!

The Festive Flags project is a celebratory community art project creating a large-scale community bunting for Saanich to share at our special events and festivals! Each flag is unique, and stitched together they reflect both our diversity and our connectedness. Canvas materials will be provided by Saanich. Sewing machine must be supplied by the volunteer.

Duties & Responsibilities
•    Sewing completed community flags to bias tape  
•    Cutting additional canvas flags
•    Optional: make your own flag to add into the project!

Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements:  
•    16 years or older    
•    Commitment to the agreed-upon schedule
•    Access to a sewing machine and knowledge of using a sewing machine independently
•    Responsible, flexible and able to follow directions well

Commitment and schedule: 
•    Schedule is flexible, as work is completed at home. 
•    2 - 6 hours total, possibility to extend longer 

Working Conditions:  
•    Sitting, and standing
•    Indoors at home, on your own schedule

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill in an application using the blue button on the right and contact Brenda Weatherston at 250 475-5557 or brenda.weatherston@saanich.ca 

Skate Trainees gain meaningful experience at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre supervising on the ice, assisting in the skate shop, assisting instructors with lessons, working on activities to improve their skills as Instructors and Skate Attendants, and getting to be a part of a dynamic team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Commit to attending volunteer shifts
• Attend an orientation session
• Assist with lessons
• Welcome, engage and interact with patrons and staff
• Supervise the ice

Knowledge, Skill, and Qualification Requirements

• 15 years or older
• Proficient in the English language
• Clear current Criminal Records Check or Police Information Check
• Emergency First Aid and CPR-C
• Excellent communication
• Enjoy working with children and hold appropriate boundaries when interacting with them
• Enthusiastic, well organized, willing to learn

Volunteer Skate Attendant (On Ice Qualifications):

• Must be able to continuously skate for 1 hour
• Must be able to stop on the ice
• Recommend recent experience in hockey, figure skating, ringette, or speed skating

Skate Instructor Qualifications:

• Passed School Age 6 (or equivalent) and able to do:
  • Strong forward and backward inside and outside edges;
  • Forward 1 foot turns on both feet, both inside and outside;
  • Forward and backwards crossovers.

/OR

• Completed Star 3 tests in Free Skate, Dance and/or Skills (Figure Skating)

/OR

• Playing hockey in U15 or above

Commitment and Schedule:

• Flexible hours and schedule.

Working Conditions:

• Indoor Arena
• On Dryland and on ice
• Able to lift 30 pounds
• Staff supervised throughout

Contact and Communication: Skating Programmer at skating@saanich.ca

The Shadow Swim Instructor is responsible for observing and assisting the instruction of general recreational aquatics programs.  For those who have certification or are in progress of completing co-teach hours.

Duties and Responsibilities:  

•    Assist Swim Instructor with aquatics activities when required
•    Welcome, engage and interact with participants
•    Interact cooperatively with Instructors
•    Ensure participants are acting in accordance with facility rules
•    Ensure the facility and equipment is in safe, working condition. 
 
Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements:  
•    15 years or older
•    Proficient in the English language.
•    Clear current Criminal Records Check or Police Information Check
•    Current Lifesaving Society Swim For Life Instructor
•    Excellent communication
•    Enjoy working with children and hold appropriate boundaries when interacting with them
•    Enthusiastic, well organized, willing to learn

Commitment and schedule: Dependent on swimming lessons schedule

Working Conditions:  Indoor pool facility.  On dryland and in pool.  Staff supervised throughout.

Contact and communication:

Gordon Head: Tyler Smith, Programmer 1, Aquatics     email: Tyler.Smith@saanich.ca

Saanich Commonwealth Place: Kris Arklie, Programmer 1, Aquatics Lessons     email: Kristine.Arklie@saanich.ca

Volunteer Shadow Lifeguards gain meaningful experience supervising the pool deck, assisting with first aids, learning about equipment and deck set ups, meeting facility specific needs, working on activities to improve their skills as Lifeguards, and getting to be a part of a dynamic team. 

In Aquatics, Lifeguards have the opportunity to become employed as Lifeguards with Saanich Recreation as our Supervisors mentor and evaluate their voluntary contribution.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Commit to attending volunteer shifts
• Attend an orientation session
• Assist with first aids
• Welcome, engage, and interact with patrons and staff
• Supervise water and pool deck

Knowledge, Skills, and Qualification Requirements

• 15 years or older
• Proficient in the English Language
• Clear current Criminal Records Check or Police Information Check
• Current NL - Pool and Waterpark Option Awards
• Current Standard First Aid and CPR-C; AMOA
• Excellent communication
• Enjoy working with children and hold appropriate boundaries when interacting with them
• Enthusiastic, well organized, willing to learn

Commitment and Schedule:

• One Fun Swim shift per week, 2-3 hours in length

Contact and Communication:

• Saanich Commonwealth Place:
  • Connor Reiter, Program Technician
  • Connor.Reiter@saanich.ca
  • 250-475-3502

The Tennis and Racket Sports Assistant supports the Instructors in our fun, developmental, racket-based programs.  Ideal for those who enjoy working with children and youth, are patient with new learners and those more skilled, and have a love for racket sports.  Your positive, encouraging attitude and your patient and joyful approach to skill-development is a resource for the leaders and participants. 

Note: Programs may focus on one particular racket sport or on multiple racket sports.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist with the set-up, organization and clean-up of activities and equipment prior to, during and following the completion of the session.
• Assist participants with their development as needed
• Must wear appropriate clothing including athletic shoes
• Must commit to the full camp schedule in order to build a positive relationship with the children. 

Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements: 

• 16 years or older.
• Experience playing various racket sports is an asset
• Proficient in the English language.
• Clear current Criminal Records Check or Police Information Check (provided free of charge).
• Patient and supportive approach working with children
• Outgoing, friendly personality 

Orientation and Training (provided): 

• Volunteer Application (Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, Policies for Volunteers and Contractors)
• Child Protection/Vulnerable Persons Training
• Supervisor Meet and Match Interview
• Site and Role Orientation

Commitment and schedule:  Programs vary in schedule and generally run for 6-8 weeks with a minimum one weekly shift commitment.     

Working Conditions:  Mostly indoor on racket sport courts.  Mostly standing, moving and playing throughout session.  Able to lift 30 lbs.  Saanich Staff supervised.

The Cedar Hill Arts Centre houses a Ceramics Studio, Dance Studio, two Visual Arts Studios.

The Arts Activity Assistant supports the instructor and participants in our fun and creative programs and services that focus on the arts.  Ideal for those who love working with children, who are patient with new learners, and who truly enjoy creative exploration. Your positive, encouraging attitude, and your patient and joyful approach to learning is a resource for the instructor and children.

Note: Various mediums and areas of focus depending on specific program (eg. Pottery, Painting, Ceramics, Clay, Fabric Arts, Drawing, etc).

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist with the set-up, organization and clean-up of arts activities and materials prior to, during and following the completion of the session.
• Assist participants with their projects as needed
• Assist with the cleanup of the program space at completion, including tables, counters, sinks as required.
• Must wear appropriate clothing including close-toed shoes, and be comfortable getting messy. 

Knowledge, Skill and Qualification Requirements: 

• 16 years or older
• Experience working with various and specific mediums is helpful, but not required
• Level 1 or greater English Language Proficiency
• Patient and supportive approach working with children
• Outgoing, friendly personality 

Orientation and Training (provided): 

• Volunteer Application (Liability Waiver, Code of Conduct, Policies for Volunteers and Contractors)
• Child Protection/Vulnerable Persons Training
• Criminal Records Check/Police Information Check
• Supervisor Meet and Match Interview
• Site and Role Orientation

Commitment and schedule: Programs vary in schedule and generally run for 6-8 weeks with a minimum one weekly shift commitment.

Working Conditions:  Indoor in artistic spaces or multipurpose spaces.  Sitting, standing and moving.  Able to lift 30 lbs. Saanich Staff supervised.