What to expect as a volunteer

Discover what it means to become a Dalhousie volunteer. Read or download an introductory overview of volunteer roles, responsibilities, and resources.

Discover the volunteer experience

The Office of Advancement is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful community and volunteer experience, and strives to empower our volunteers as socially responsible citizens that uphold these values.

Volunteering with Dalhousie opens pathways to new connections, experiences, and opportunities for you. You also bring your personal and professional perspectives to the university. Please contact us directly to learn more about what you can personally expect as a Dal volunteer. See below for an overview of what it means to become a Dal volunteer and the resources available to you.

Download the volunteer handbook

Five women of diverse backgrounds standing in a row dressed in business casual attire at an event with pop-up banners in the background.

Dalhousie is strengthened by our diversity

We are committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, and we have a number of supports and resources aimed at fostering these values.

Dalhousie has policies preventing discrimination, harassment, and sexualized violence, and we are actively working to support diverse gender identities and enhance our initiatives to address anti-Black racism. It is our goal to become a fully inclusive community that is characterized by equity and respect.

Welcome from the Dalhousie Alumni Association

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Dalhousie Office of Advancement! For decades alumni have strengthened Dalhousie pride and profile in cities around the globe by raising their hands as volunteers and leaders in our communities. Dating back as early as 1871 with the creation of the Dalhousie Alumni Association, alumni and friends have been mobilizing as groups and individuals through initiatives that build relationships, support students, and strengthen our society.

Whether you have been volunteering with Dalhousie for years or you are just getting started, we are excited to work with you and continue this journey together— thank you for your support!

– Alana Riley (MBA'17), President, Dalhousie Alumni Association

How volunteerism works

Time commitment

Our volunteer opportunities are versatile and the time commitment varies by role. Some are more structured such as boards and committees, and the Dal Insight Circle, while others are flexible such as event support and mentorship. You can connect with our volunteer coordinators at any time to discuss your individual interests and availability.

Email: volunteer@dal.ca

Selection process

Some of our volunteer opportunities, particularly our boards and committees, and the Dal Insight Circle, have application processes. These measures are in place as part of our commitment to the diversity, inclusion, and accessibility of our volunteer programming. Find further details on the specific selection processes for various role descriptions.

Volunteer

Communication

We’ll contact you about volunteer opportunities, news, and updates by email and occasional phone calls. We ask our volunteers for active mailing addresses to share opportunities that are local to you, including events.

Update your contact info

Recognition

We are grateful for the support that our volunteers provide, which continuously enhances our programming and makes various opportunities possible for our students, alumni, and communities. We strive to show our thanks in a variety of ways ranging from gift bag draws and alumni event ticket discounts, to special opportunities, perks, and more.

Benefits

Volunteer resources

Training and orientation

The majority of our volunteer opportunities will provide role-specific training before you start.

Timing for this training is scheduled in advance and may vary from an online workshop to a one-on-one phone call or meeting. When you are enrolled in an opportunity, a volunteer coordinator will connect with you directly to further outline any required training.

We would like to emphasize that all of our volunteers are encouraged to participate in our Cultivating an Inclusive Environment workshop, facilitated by Dalhousie’s Human Rights and Equity Services team. Registered volunteers will be invited to join a session.

Lastly, all volunteers will be connected with a volunteer coordinator at their time of enrollment, and are encouraged to reach out to these contacts or volunteer@dal.ca with questions or concerns at any time.

Policies and agreements

All volunteers are expected to review and adhere to a Volunteer Code of Conduct.

These policies are in place to ensure a healthy, supportive, and safe environment for all volunteers, and will be provided to you at the time of signing up. Depending on the nature of your role, you may also be asked to sign a photo/media release form, a confidentiality agreement or other role-specific agreements or waivers. Should you have any questions regarding these policies please contact us at volunteer@dal.ca.

Workshops & Toolkits

When you volunteer with the Office of Advancement or one of our partners, we want to help you feel empowered, informed, and prepared to get the most out of your experience with us.

With this in mind, we offer professional and/or personal development opportunities at various times throughout the year. These may take the form of web-based guides, facilitated workshops, group discussions, or self-paced toolkits. These opportunities are offered free to our volunteers and are continuously under development and evaluation to ensure we are offering you the highest quality of programming.

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