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.

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
Swim with a Buddy Volunteers
Board of Directors
Youth Justice Committee Volunteer

Please scroll down for more information about each opportunity

Swimming Lessons Volunteer

Swimming Lesson Volunteers will assist the Swimming Instructor during lessons. The program runs Monday to Thursday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings at our Eastview location - 433 Eulalie Ave, Oshawa beginning the week of September 26th, and supports children 6-14 years of age.

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

Swim with a Buddy Volunteers

Swim with a Buddy Volunteers will help young children become comfortable in the water during Friday Night Free Swims at our Eastview Unit. 

Friday evenings 
6:45-8:30pm
Fall session begins September 30th and runs for 10 weeks. 

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 (preferably level 5 or above)
  • 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 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 Jared Brown at jbrown@bgcdurham.com or (289) 404-3259 for more information.

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

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