How Youth Benefit Not-For-Profits

Did you know that in 2018, Canadian youth had the highest overall volunteering rate amongst all generations? Youth are looking for direct, impactful volunteering opportunities to make a difference in their own communities. Youth volunteers: Bring new perspectives, ideas and skills Raise awareness of your not-for-profit through their networks Help build organizations'...

How to Engage Youth

Where to start Developing youth volunteer engagement is critical for transforming volunteering from a graduation requirement into an exciting way for youth to get involved in their community. Listed below are ideas and resources to help your organization better engage with youth volunteers. How to Engage Youth Volunteers Conduct an...

How to Create an Effective Volunteer Posting Using Volunteer Ottawa

Volunteer Ottawa receives dozens of phone calls and emails from youth every month asking where they can volunteer. Learning to use VO’s ‘Search Volunteer Opportunities’ function can help improve your chances of attracting youth volunteers. Creating an Effective Volunteer Posting on VO The Description: Who are you as a not-for-profit? Tell...

How to Address Potential Barriers Facing Youth Volunteers

Enhancing youth volunteer engagement means giving due consideration to the specific needs of a younger generation. Adolescents’ lived experiences will greatly shape their desires, interests and expectations for volunteering, and as such, what they need to volunteer successfully will differ from adults. Below is a list of barriers your organization...

How to Find Right Volunteers

Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Duis mollis, est non commodo luctus, nisi erat porttitor ligula, eget lacinia odio sem nec elit. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas eget quam....

Why Should I Volunteer?

People say volunteers make the world go around. And they are not wrong. Nearly half of all Canadians volunteer either on occasion or on a regular basis. Volunteers are often the go-betweens for not-for-profits and the communities they serve. Many services like mental health phone lines or food banks would...

40 Hours of Community Involvement FAQ

In Ontario, high school students must complete 40 hours of volunteering in order to graduate, but volunteering is also an amazing way to make a difference, learn new skills, gain experience, and meet new people! What counts as volunteering for my community service hours? Any work where you are paid...

Volunteering Safely

Not-for-profits should be taking the necessary steps to protect your safety. Young adults under the age of 25 are at a higher risk of injury while on the job than any other age group, and this includes as volunteers. The Ontario Ministry of Labour has age restrictions on the kinds...

Volunteering DO’s and DON’Ts

Volunteering is an awesome way to try out new things, meet new people and grow as a person! Here are some tips that will help to make your volunteer experience as successful as possible. Do's Show up on time – Whether it is in-person or virtual, showing up when you say...

How to Get a Volunteer Position

This is a step-by-step guide to help you apply for a volunteer position. Note that not all volunteer opportunities have the same application and screening process. How do I start volunteering? You can use Volunteer Ottawa’s ‘Search Volunteer Opportunities’ function to find positions suitable to your interests and needs. For...