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Volunteer FAQ
Volunteering is an exciting and challenging experience. If you're a first-time volunteer or just new to St.Amant's volunteer system, you may have some questions. And we have answers!
Select a question from the list below to learn more.
I am thinking about volunteering. What should I consider?
What do you look for in your volunteers?
Do I need any special immunizations to volunteer?
What level of language and literacy do I need to volunteer?
Do I need a Criminal Records Check and Child Abuse Registry Check?
What type of references do I need?
Will volunteering help me get a job at St.Amant?
How does St.Amant decide where to place volunteers?
How old do I have to be to volunteer?
Can I volunteer with a student visa?
How do I go about job-shadowing at St.Amant?
Where do I park when I volunteer?
Does St.Amant have opportunities for students in the summer months?
Can my group or organization come in for just one day to volunteer?
Can I use St.Amant as a reference?
What are a volunteer's responsibilities?
I am thinking about volunteering. What should I consider?
First, assess whether you have time available each week to commit to volunteering. Think about your interests, skills and career plans - this will help us determine where you might volunteer.
We have volunteer placements seven days a week starting as early as 9:00 am and going until 8:30 pm. We need Saturday and Sunday volunteers from 10:30 am until 3:00 pm. Because more programs happen during the day, we have a greater need for daytime, weekday volunteers.
What do you look for in your volunteers?
We look for individuals who want to help others, are positive, are dedicated, caring, sensitive to the needs of others and will commit to their role. Volunteers should be motivated, energetic and customer-service oriented.
We want to meet your needs by accommodating your busy schedule, but we require a minimum commitment of one shift per week or 40 hours over a four-month period. Shifts are 1-3 hours depending on the placement.
Do I need any special immunizations to volunteer at St.Amant?
We do not require immunizations, but encourage all volunteers to be vaccinated for the seasonal flu because our clients are highly susceptible to upper-respiratory diseases.
What level of language and literacy do I need to successfully volunteer at St.Amant?
Because many of our placements require interactions with others, we ask our volunteers be able to follow directions, give directions and to express themselves clearly and concisely in the English language. We have found a benchmark of Level 8 or higher works well for our volunteer placements in reading; writing; listening and speaking.
Do I need a Criminal Records check and a Child Abuse Registry check?
All volunteers over the age of 16 must pass a Criminal Record Check and a Child Abuse Registry Check. We provide both checks for non-school volunteers.
If you are volunteering to satisfy school credits, you must go to the Public Safety Building for the Criminal Records check and to the Child Protection Office for the Child Abuse Registry check.
Once you have your Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry check, we will book you for an interview. You must have passed the check before you are placed in your volunteer role.
What type of references do I need for my application form?
You require references from people who have known you for at least three months and are from different aspects of your life (teachers, co-workers, group leaders, supervisors or colleagues). Always ask permission to use someone as a reference and provide a current, daytime phone number. References from family members are not accepted.
Will volunteering help me get a job at St.Amant?
Volunteering at any organization will help you gain skills for future employment. Volunteering at St.Amant is unrelated to St.Amant job opportunities, but many of our volunteers have gained valuable experience to help with applying for varies roles within our organization.
How does St.Amant decide where to place volunteers?
We consider many factors when matching volunteers to placements. We look at availability, interest and skills and then determine how they match our opportunities.
How old do I have to be to volunteer at St.Amant?
Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and/or going into Grade 7.
I'm on a student visa. Can I volunteer?
Yes.
I'd like to job shadow someone at St.Amant. How do I go about doing this?
Volunteer Services does not coordinate job-shadowing requests. You must contact individual departments to set up job-shadowing.
Where do I park when I volunteer at St.Amant?
Complimentary parking privileges are available in Visitors Parking in front of the main building. You must pick up a pass from front reception and place it in your vehicle.
Does St.Amant have opportunities for students during the summer months?
Yes. We encourage students to apply in early June as spaces fill up quickly. We provide lunch to students who volunteer for a full day with us and snack in the morning and afternoon.
Can my group/organization come for one day and volunteer?
Please see the information for Special Event Volunteers.
Can I use St.Amant as a reference?
Our confidentiality policy means we can only verify volunteer status and active volunteer dates unless you make a formal, written request for a reference. Volunteer Services can provide a letter of confirmation for volunteers who volunteered up to 20 hours. For volunteers who have volunteered for more than 20 hours, Volunteer Services can provide a letter of reference based on the information gathered from the volunteer’s evaluation.
What are a volunteer’s responsibilities?
All volunteers must sign their time card indicating the date, time and total number of hours volunteered. Volunteers are expected to arrive at the agreed-upon time. If you must be absent, you should call as soon as possible. Vacation notice should be given to the volunteer coordinator at least two weeks in advance. Volunteers must be appropriately dressed at all times. St.Amant is a scent free building.