Voices of Positive Women

Volunteering with VOICES

"Among volunteers, there are no ordinary people. Count yourself in."

Volunteers are an integral and vital part of all our services and programs at Voices of Positive Women. A number of volunteer tasks such as an elected position to our board of directors or selection as a peer mentor are reserved for our members. It will soon be time for the AGM and for members to consider a position on the board or committees. Women living out of town can easily be accommodated as they can “attend” meetings by teleconference. Members and other positive women needing to practice skills to return to the workplace receive special consideration for volunteer administrative positions. For most other tasks you are not asked to reveal your HIV status and we maintain strict confidentiality about personal information for all our volunteers.

Generally you must be 16 years or older to volunteer on a regular basis and be able to consider a three month commitment. Most volunteers work between 2 and 8 hours a week, if they provide assistance at our offices in downtown Toronto.

"I have been able to acquire new skills and share those I have with others. Contributing to the development and programming of "Voices of Positive Women" has helped me to maintain a high degree of self-worth and accomplishment something not always easy to do when you live with HIV." From one of our members commenting on her volunteer experience.

Volunteer tasks vary from month to month but we are always looking for fundraising and event volunteers. Opportunities are advertised regularly on http://www.charityvillage.com

ONGOING

CASUAL VOLUNTEERS - weekdays 10 -5

Volunteers are needed on 'call-in' basis to assist with mailing bi-monthly newsletters, assembling packages of vitamins for mailing and general office/ reception duties. Our office hours are 10-5 Monday through Friday. We are located near the Yonge/ Bloor subway.

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERS

If you live outside Toronto or our office hours are inconvenient consider becoming a virtual volunteer. If you have access to a computer you can assist with research, and other tasks from home.

MARKETING VOLUNTEERS

Marketing volunteers needed for our 2nd annual dance fundraising event in April 2004. Help us to plan the event and market it. Other volunteers are also needed to help with sponsorship and raise pledges.

FUNDRAISING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEERS

Our first event in March 2003 raised $20,000 through sponsorship, the silent auction and donations and we are now planning the next event. We need VOLUNTEER help to

Recruit and sit on sub committees
Solicit sponsorship and donations
Develop strategies and recruit pledge takers, event assistance, and volunteers for database management.

COIN BOX PROGRAM

Take charge person to VOLUNTEER to administer the program and develop it in Toronto and around the province.

Prepare applications for LCBO etc, research other similar programs.
Research suitable businesses to place coin boxes and build relationships with existing locations
Recruit and arrange volunteers to pick up boxes, count contents etc.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

To request a volunteer application form or for further information call or e-mail
Denise Jackson
Volunteer/Student Placement Coordinator
416 324 8703 ex 23
djackson@vopw.org

What our volunteers say about helping us ….

"I feel safe at Voices of Positive Women"

"I have gained a lot from Voices"

"Volunteering at 'Voices' has given me the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and help others."

PAST VOLUNTEER LED AND ASSISTED EVENTS
See the event calendar for current volunteer events

January 2003 Women's Health Matters - Metro Toronto Convention Centre- Vagina Dialogues information table.
March 2003 Love to Dance Fundraiser
June 2003 Pride weekend Toonie Drive
September 2003 AIDS walk information table
December 2003 World AIDS day display table at Metro Hall

By the end of the year volunteers will have …

Folded and stuffed over 1500 newsletters for mailing
Packed 300 boxes of vitamins
Photocopied and folded countless brochures
Assisted with planning and running two Annual General Meetings, Our Holiday gift party, the Annual Women's Retreat
Shredded bags and bags of confidential information

…..Thank you to everyone who has volunteered with us ….. "The greatest poverty that can afflict the human spirit is the loss of a generous heart. You will know that success has slipped away when your passion for helping others grows cold"

STUDENT PLACEMENTS

Social work and similar programs

We offer two student (field) placements per semester to women students enrolled in appropriate programs. We currently have two students for the September 2003 through April 2004 placement. Applications for summer placements April - August 2004 will be accepted in January.
Students are integrated into all aspects of our work, help with the Nursing Clinic, outreach, member support, annual retreat and A.G.M etc.
In addition we can sometimes offer accelerated opportunities to learn about the issues facing women living with HIV/AIDS by working at our downtown Toronto office for a brief period of one or two weeks over the summer.
If you are working on a research project we may also be able to assist you by setting up an interview with a staff member.

Administration/Fundraising Intern

We currently collaborate with Dixon Hall to offer twelve week internships in administration and fund raising to one student per period. The next internship starts in February 2004. Students are integrated into all aspects of the administration of a small agency, assist with the web site and fund raising.

Field Placements in Fundraising, Event Management and Volunteer Management

Students looking for a field placement are invited to inquire about opportunities.

Contact jleclair@vopw.org for student application forms and further information.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

~ Edith Wharton ~

Thanks to all our volunteers and students for being candles for us

Thanks to the City of Toronto, AIDS Prevention Grants Program for funding and support of our volunteer and student placement program in the City of Toronto.

Thanks to SONY Pictures ( www.sonypictures.ca ) for their support of our volunteer recognition program.