Volunteering

Be a United Way Volunteer

Thank you for considering becoming involved in our community and with United Way. United Way makes the kind of impact it does because of people like you. Here are the opportunities we can offer to people who believe that everyone has something to contribute!

United Way Day of Caring Volunteer

Take a day and volunteer with your colleagues, classmates or youth group. United Way matches volunteers with one day projects at community agencies. You can paint, repair, garden or help with other projects that need to be done. You can participate as a team from your workplace or as an individual who will be paired with others who want to make a difference through direct service. If you want to roll up your sleeves, have fun and experience an opportunity to learn about the community, contact Bob Wright, rwright@unitedwayhalifax.ca and ask for the next Day of Caring.

Bringing 211 to Nova Scotia

Imagine being able to navigate directly to the help you need when you need it. United Way is leading the provincial initiative to introduce a 211 service in Nova Scotia. It will provide easy, immediate access to non-emergency health, social, community and government services.

If you have experience in government relations, we welcome your ideas and strategic thinking to suggest ways we can bring this critical program to the public. Respected community leaders living outside HRM are most welcome because 211 is destined to serve all Nova Scotians in smaller cities, towns and communities across the province. The commitment will vary but it is anticipated the work will be largely advisory.

We are also seeking support from organizations in the social sector keen to lend their name to a growing list of Believers. If this interests you, contact Bob Wright, rwright@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Youth Grants Team

United Way grants are now available annually to support youth-led projects. If you are 25 or younger, you can volunteer on a selection team with other youth to choose which projects to support in our community. The time commitment is flexible, but the work will likely extend over a two month period. If you want to stretch your brain and meet and work with other young people, or you’re just interested in more details, contact Caitlin Power Hancey at youth@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Employee Campaign Coordinator (ECC)

United Way’s Employee Campaign Coordinator (ECC’s) are the heart and soul of every United Way campaign. They are the individuals who inspire, motivate and energize their colleagues to get involved in their organization’s campaign. Whether it’s coordinating a workplace campaign, organizing an event or encouraging colleagues and friends to give, we couldn’t do what we do without their support.

Our goal is to make being an ECC as easy and fun as possible. Whether it’s through our specialized training programs or providing the tools to make your campaign a success, we’re here to help. If you are keen to rally your fellow employees to support our community, contact Roxanne Millington, rmillington@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Campaign Account Executive (AE)

Demonstrate leadership in your community by initiating fundraising campaigns across a number of workplaces. You will use and build your network of influence while making a measurable difference in campaign results. Your commitment amounts to approximately 8-10 hours over a couple of months in the late spring or early summer. United Way staff provides you with the information and tools to complete 5-10 personal visits with business and professional leaders. Our staff will accompany you on the visits and assist with follow-up. This gets you out of the office in a leadership role as you inspire companies to support United Way. For a complete description of this meaningful role, contact Denise Green, dgreen@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Funding Panels

Would you like to connect with our communities, learn more about the important work of United Way’s funded agencies and make HRM a better community? Each fundraising year, Panel Volunteers review agency funding applications to make funding recommendations to United Way’s Board of Directors. Panel Volunteers play an important role in ensuring donor dollars are spent in accordance with United Way funding criteria and are making a measurable difference in our community.

Needless to say, the commitment is demanding–but very rewarding. You’ll work with other volunteers who have varied backgrounds, employment experience and community activity. You will visit several community based agencies to discuss the impact they are making. After an evening of training in September, panels meet weekly until February. To learn more about this rewarding and engaging community opportunity contact Sue Barr at sbarr@unitedwayhalifax.ca

Campaign Management Team (CMT)

If you are a community leader in the private or public sector you could put your influence and leadership skills to the test by spearheading a division within the annual campaign. This senior team of seasoned professionals is led by a volunteer Chair. You would be responsible for recruiting your team of account executives and together you would set a plan in motion to achieve an overall HRM campaign goal. Your contribution commences in the spring with planning meetings, recruitment of your own team, and visits to determine the support for United Way in organizations that currently support United Way as well as others organizing a campaign for the first time. Members of the Campaign Management Team meet every few weeks from September to January to monitor progress and brainstorm opportunities. To learn more about this opportunity to be a community leader, contact Denise Green, dgreen@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Community Resources Committee (CRC)

The Community Resources Committee recommends policy and advises the board of opportunities and risks particularly concerning United Way’s community involvement, investment and long term strategies that impact our community. This dedicated group of volunteers meets eight times a year to review trends in the community and the impact on agencies. Contact Peter Mortimer, pmortimer@unitedwayhalifax.ca to claim your seat at this table.

Loaned Account Development Officer (ADO)

Every year successful workplace campaigns are conducted with the help of community-minded businesses. Organizations sponsor or lend an employee during the campaign, beginning in mid-August. During that period, the company continues to pay for the employee’s wages and benefits and minor traveling expenses while the loaned Account Development Officer plans and implements United Way fundraising efforts.
The ADO program is critical to the success of United Way’s fundraising efforts annually. Representing the private and public sectors, they bring new energy and commitment to the campaign. Without them, raising the needed dollars for our community would not be possible. They facilitate and attend campaign meetings and events, mobilize support, promote the campaign, help recruit and retain volunteers and donors, and create awareness about how United Way is working to build a strong, healthy and safe community for all. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, contact Denise green, dgreen@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Audit Committee

If you have an accounting or financial background or a well developed understanding of operational business practices, the role for you may be the audit committee. This small group meets three to four times a year, approves the annual operational budget, receives the external audit and recommends it for approval to the board of directors. If you are interested in contributing your expertise, contact Evelyn Barkhouse, ebarkhouse@unitedwayhalifax.ca.
Action for Neighbourhood Change

When neighbours get to know each other, neighbourhoods are strong, safer places. Currently United Way is actively working in Spryfield and Dartmouth North to engage citizens in their community and encourage them to lead change. Projects and initiatives vary but a spirit of resident leadership is at the heart of Action in these neighbourhoods. The level of commitment in time and talent also varies according to the activity and your own interests. If you are living in Spryfield or Dartmouth North and would like to get directly involved, please contact Paul Shakotko, pshakotko@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

Board of Directors

The Board members contribute strategically to the direction of the United Way by reviewing organizational performance against our vision and mission. The board is representative of a cross-section of our community. Members are recruited annually, usually after having already supported the work of the organization in some significant capacity.

The following factors are all considered when determining board appointments.

• Members enable United Way to build or maintain strategic partnerships including the private, public sectors and labour.
• Members have critical governance skills such as financial, HR, legal, communications, or fund raising.
• Members are recognized as leaders in this community.

The composition of the board is diverse reflecting age, gender, race, background and perspective (business and community). Members serve three year terms which can be renewed. The board meets seven times a year.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the board, contact Catherine Woodman, at cjwoodman@unitedwayhalifax.ca.

 

VOLUNTEER IN the Community

If you are interested in volunteering for a community based organization, we are happy to help you find the spot that fits with your skills, ability, and passion. Contact Sue Barr, sbarr@unitedwayhalifax.ca to discuss your interests and she will suggest organizations that match your interests. With her vast knowledge of the 55 agencies United Way supports, she and others can help you find a match that fits with the time you can give to make a difference in our community.