Support Youth & Our Humane Education Program

Virtual Humane Education Volunteer

The Humane Education Program is an excellent way to connect with youth in our community and teach them about empathy, compassion and responsible pet ownership by focusing on the human-animal bond. In 2021, 2000 young folks from our community participated in the Humane Education Program – building skills in social and emotional development.

Description
Reporting to the Humane Education Coordinator, Virtual Humane Education Volunteers are responsible for creating in-depth, easy to understand, engaging online courses for youth and educators.
Time Commitment
HE Volunteers working from home will need to commit to approximately 2-6 hours per week and will set their own schedule.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Development and renewal of online course content
  • Research for new courses
  • Proof-reading and editing text
  • Taking videos and photos for inclusion in course
  • Writing course script
  • Narrating course content
  • Engaging youth aged between 6 to 18+
Qualifications
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Access to transportation
  • Vulnerable persons police check
  • Teaching experience of any kind is an asset
  • Graphic design and/or online content creative experience is useful
  • Comfortable working within a team and independently
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Proof-reading skills, with an eye for accuracy
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to engage with students and at-risk youth in a professional and informed manner on behalf of GTHS
  • Willingness to learn about animal welfare, animal cruelty laws and Ministry of Education curriculum links
Working conditions:
  • HE Volunteers must have their own computer or tablet and telephone to perform their virtual volunteer duties

Humane Education – Extracurricular Programs

The Humane Education Program is an excellent way to connect with youth in our community and teach them about empathy, compassion and responsible pet ownership by focusing on the human-animal bond. In 2023, 4000 youth participated in the Humane Education Program – building skills in social and emotional development.

Based on the Humane Education Volunteer’s skill set and area(s) of interest, they support this important GTHS program at the Animal Centre and / or in the community.

Description
Reporting to the Humane Education Coordinator, Humane Education Volunteers – Extracurricular Programs are responsible for engaging youth enrolled in GTHS after-school and / or summer programs and / or virtual field trips.
Time Commitment
Based on areas of interest:
  • Youth Club on Mondays from 4.30-7.45pm (session 1: 4.30-6pm, session 2: 6.15-7.45pm) – Ages 12-18
  • Pawsitivity Club on Tuesdays from 4.30-6.00pm – Ages 7-10
  • Vets of Tomorrow I, II and Pet Sitters, on a 5 week rotating schedule, on Wednesdays from 4.30-6.30pm – Ages 11-16
  • Parents’ Night Out on ad hoc Fridays from 5-7.30 pm – Ages 7-12
Roles and Responsibilities
May include:
  • Assisting with running the program at the direction of the Humane Education Coordinator
  • Helping to create a fun, encouraging learning environment
  • Live videoing and explanation of Animal Centre activities (tour, Q&A)
  • Engaging, supervising and working with children to direct their activities
  • Ensuring animals are being handled compassionately
  • Answering questions that arise
Qualifications
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Access to transportation
  • Vulnerable persons police check
  • Teaching experience of any kind is an asset
  • Comfortable working within a team and independently
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Ability to engage with students and at-risk youth in a professional and informed manner
  • Follow GTHS Confidentiality Policy and maintain strict confidentiality about students’ and at-risk youths’ background and/or personal information
  • Willingness to learn about animal welfare, animal cruelty laws and Ministry of Education curriculum links
  • Ability to promote compassion and empathy for all living things
  • Committed to the vision, mission and values of the GTHS
  • HE Volunteers must be trained by a Dog Care Coordinator or designate to handle GTHS dogs during any and all programming

Humane Education Community Awareness Ambassador

The Humane Education Program allows the GTHS to connect with youth in our community and teach them about empathy, compassion, and responsible pet ownership / animal interactions, by focusing on the human-animal bond. In 2023, 4000 youth participated in the Humane Education Program – building skills in social and emotional development.

The Humane Education Community Awareness Ambassador promotes awareness of the Humane Education Program and our innovative product offerings, as well as the impact this Program can have on youth between the ages of 7-18.

Description
Humane Education Community Awareness Ambassadors report to the Humane Education Coordinator and depending on their assigned activities may occasionally work in partnership with the Communications & Marketing Coordinator or the Fundraising Coordinator. HE Community Awareness Ambassadors are responsible for promoting the Humane Education Program’s courses and awareness of the Program as a whole, within the community and beyond, by using their networking, communication, social media and marketing skills.
Time Commitment
All HE Volunteers attend monthly (virtual or in-person) meetings of approximately 1 hour in length. Volunteering from home: approximately 2-4 hours per week; volunteer sets their own schedule and must have own computer or tablet and telephone to perform volunteer duties. Volunteering within the community: 4-6 hours on an ad hoc basis (mainly during the daytime on Saturdays) and must have access to transportation.
Roles and Responsibilities
May include:
  • Participate in virtual / in-person meetings
  • Promote existence of Humane Education Program, its mission / intent and impact through all available channels within the community and beyond
  • Attend local farmers’ / artisan markets and/or GTHS events to promote HE Program and liaise with the Fundraising Coordinator
  • Meet with / liaise with schools, youth groups and educators to incite interest in the HE Program
  • Research suitable social media groups to connect with
  • Liaise with fellow HE Volunteers for ideas and support, and to avoid duplication of contact with potentially interested parties or media groups
  • Assist with the development of social media posts and liaise with the HE Coordinator and the Communications & Marketing Coordinator
  • Assist with the creation of posters and buck-slips
  • Distribute posters for display at suitable venues across the community
  • Draft press releases for approval by the HE Coordinator and the Communications & Marketing Coordinator
  • Gather HE Program data, including demographics, contact information and testimonials
Qualifications
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Vulnerable persons police check
  • Comfortable working within a team and independently
  • Communication and networking skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Marketing and promotional skills of any kind is an asset
  • Committed to the vision, mission, and values of the GTHS
  • Ability to promote compassion and empathy for all living things
  • Willingness to learn about animal welfare, animal cruelty laws and Ministry of Education curriculum links
Additional qualifications / requirements based on HE activities undertaken:
  • Excellent spelling and written word skills, with an eye for accuracy
  • Versed in a variety of social media platforms
  • Graphic design experience is useful
  • Own computer or tablet and telephone
  • Access to transportation
  • Ability to stand for extended periods of time (at markets / events)

Community Programs Volunteer – Volunteer Coordinator

The Community Programs are an excellent way to connect with the people and pets in our community.  Community Programs include the Humane Education Team and the Outreach Team.  Each stream is an opportunity to fulfill our mission and to promote empathy, compassion and responsible pet ownership through the human-animal bond.

In 2022, the Outreach Team facilitated the microchipping of 71 pets and immunization against rabies for 202 pets in our community, distributed free meals and/or litter to 790 pets through our Pet Panty services (a jump from 96 in 2021!), and spayed/neutered 1,355 owned pets, 127 Community (feral) Cats and 99 animals from other rescue clients, whilst our Humane Education Program impacted 2,010 young folks from our community – building skills in social and emotional development.

Description
Reporting to the Education Coordinator & Outreach Coordinator, the Community Programs Volunteer Coordinator liaises with new and existing volunteers to ensure the team is informed and supported in their roles, organizes events to ensure that volunteers are present to cover, and undertakes a range of administrative activities to assist the team in successfully achieving collective programs’ objectives.
Time Commitment
Approximately 3 hours per week; this volunteer sets their own schedule and can choose to volunteer from home or out of the Animal Centre. Ad hoc meeting attendance at the Animal Centre or offsite is required. A minimum commitment of 6 months is also required.
Roles and Responsibilities
  • Contacting and scheduling existing volunteers to work on upcoming events
  • Ensuring that volunteers are tracking their offsite hours on a quarterly basis
  • Researching and writing volunteer policies and procedures, as they arise (final draft would be included in the SOP Manual)
  • Liaising with other committee volunteers within our own organization when recruiting new volunteers and developing partnerships
  • Generating appropriate volunteering opportunities and role descriptions based on the needs of the Outreach Program
  • Raising staff awareness on the role and the function of HE & Outreach volunteers
  • Ensuring there is appropriate support and training for volunteers
  • Promoting volunteer opportunities (internally and externally) through recruitment and social media
  • Recruiting volunteers and ensuring they are appropriately matched and trained for a position
  • Monitoring, supporting, motivating general Outreach volunteers and their work
  • Celebrating volunteers and organizing small recognition events
  • Attending committees and meetings
  • Tracking expenses and resources, including the reimbursement of expenses
  • Remaining up to date with legislation and policy related to volunteering at GTHS (through GTHS Volunteer Coordinator) and making any necessary modifications to accommodate changes
  • Generating income through new and repeated initiatives
  • Monitoring and evaluating activities and writing brief reports for funders and board members
  • Maintaining tracking sheets and undertaking any other administrative duties related to volunteering
Qualifications
  • 18 years of age minimum
  • Access to transportation
  • Own computer / laptop
  • Vulnerable persons police check
  • Comfortable working within a team and independently
  • Self-motivated and demonstrates attention to detail
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with others, to achieve the goals of this volunteer role and of the organization
  • Speaks, listens and writes in clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate communication tools and techniques
  • Willing to learn about animal welfare, animal cruelty laws and Ministry of Education curriculum links

Stay informed on GTHS events, initiatives and programs. Learn how the GTHS team is serving the pets and people of the South Georgian Bay Area. Read heart-warming Happy Tails about GTHS Alumni. See a lot of really cute pictures of dogs and cats!