Volunteer Opportunities

Did you know?

The most recent survey by Statistics Canada found that about one out of every three adults in Ontario would benefit from literacy education.

Tutor Training Workshop Schedule for Simcoe County and Muskoka

If you would like to help someone to read, write, or do math become a volunteer. We have a place for you!

Individual Tutoring

Volunteers provide tutoring to adults in Simcoe County and the Muskoka region. Full orientation and training are provided to all tutors after which, you are matched with a learner to provide one-on-one tutoring. The time and location are decided by the tutor and the learner. A commitment of two to four hours per week is required.

Tutor Training Workshop Schedule for Simcoe County and Muskoka

Tutor position intake is on a continuous basis.

For more information or to register please call the Literacy Council of South Simcoe at 705-435-5624.

  • Orillia and District Literacy Council
  • Tel: 705-327-1253
  • E-mail: odlc@bellnet.ca

For more information or to register please call the Orillia and District Literacy Council at 705-327-1253.

For more information or to register please call the Literacy Society of South Muskoka at 705-687-9323.

Tutor position intake is on a continuous basis.

For more information or to register please call the YMCA Literacy Services at 705-789-1850.

There are a variety of other opportunities for volunteers with a literacy agency or the Network in a support role such as office assistants, board and committee members or helping with special events.

Office Support and Special Events Volunteer Opportunities

These are mainly administrative functions, such as office assistance or helping with special events.  The time commitment involved in any of these functions varies. If you are interested in volunteering, please call one of the agencies listed above directly, or contact the Simcoe/Muskoka Literacy Network at Tel: 705-326-7227, Fax: 705-326-7447 or e-mail: simcoe.muskoka@literacynetwork.ca.

Alpha Huronie is a French speaking agency, located in Penetanguishene, and is interested in working with office support volunteers.  For more information please call Alpha Huronie at 705-549-4353, E-mail: dianecorriveau@bellnet.ca, Website: www.nald.ca/alphahuronie.

Volunteer Board Members

Community-based literacy agencies and the Network are non-profit organizations that are overseen by a Volunteer Board. The Board of Directors for each of the literacy councils and the network is responsible for managing the agency's affairs and upholding it's constitution and by-laws. Directors are usually recruited annually or bi-annually and are elected at the organizations Annual General Meeting (AGM). Directors can also be recruited throughout the year.

If you would like to serve on a Board please contact the local agency or the Network directly to find out about the responsibilities and qualifications

Volunteer Committee Members

The Simcoe/Muskoka literacy councils and the network utilize both types of committees: standing committees and ad-hoc committees. Standing committees are permanent committees created to deal with one particular area such as "Marketing and Outreach", "Planning and Evaluation", "Newsletter", "Practitioner Training and Development" etc. Ad-hoc committees are created as needed for things such as "Learning Outcomes", "Special events" etc. They are time-limited and are disbanded when the work is done. Committees usually include a staff member as well as a board member.

If you are interested in joining a committee please call one of the agencies listed above directly, or call the Simcoe Muskoka Literacy Network at Tel: 705-326-7227, Fax: 705-326-7447 or e-mail: simcoe.muskoka@literacynetwork.ca.

Volunteer Bill of Rights (Taken from the newsletter of Freeport Hospital, Kitchener)

  • The right to be treated as a co-worker... not as "free help".
  • The right to a suitable assignment .... with consideration for personal preference, temperament, life experience, educational and employment background.
  • The right to know as much about the organization as possible ..... its policies, its people and its programs.
  • The right to training for the job..... thoughtfully planned and effectively presented.
  • The right to continuing education on the job..... as a follow-up to initial training; information about new developments; training for greater responsibilities.
  • The right to sound guidance and direction ...... by someone who is experienced, well informed, patient and thoughtful - and who has the time to invest in giving guidance.
  • The right to promotion and a variety of experience .... through advancement to assignments of more responsibility; through transfer from one activity to another; through special project assignments.
  • The right to be heard..... to take part in planning; to feel free to make suggestions; to have respect shown for an honest opinion.
  • The right to recognition.... in the form of promotion - and awards (some tangible evidence) - through day-by-day expressions of appreciation and by treatment as a bona fide co-worker.