Some of our volunteers choose to volunteer in one area of focus while others choose to give of their time to multiple opportunities. For example you may want to volunteer as a Direct Service Volunteer but also give of your time by volunteering for a special event or volunteering to assist with administrative activities.

Direct Service Volunteer Opportunities
Our direct service volunteers work with our clients in our House Program which is a seven resident 24 hour care and support house or with clients of our Supportive Independent Living Program . Under the direction of staff duties and responsibilities may include: care of clients, buddy system or friendly visiting, preparing meals, performing light house keeping duties, driving and accompanying clients to appointments.

We ask our Direct Service Volunteers for a commitment of a minimum of 4 hours/week of volunteer time.

Administrative Volunteer Opportunities
Our administrative volunteers provide administrative support to our office staff by assisting with a variety of administrative activities such as data entry, filing, receptionist, answering and directing phone calls to staff, assisting with mailings, photo copying, preparing materials for information sessions, etc.

We ask our administrative volunteers for a commitment of a minimum of 4 hours/week of volunteer time.

Event and Fundraising Volunteers Opportunities
Our events and fundraising volunteers are involved in a wide variety of activities which can include one or more of the following: participating/representing Bruce House at information booths, health fairs and other community events; participate in our speakers bureau; volunteer with various events including our major annual events like our annual AIDS Walk for Life and Red Ribbon Day campaigns; represent and volunteer at third party events; participate in event planning and committees, etc.

Our event and fundraising volunteers’ time commitment varies depending on availability and schedule of events and community development activities.

Board and Committee Volunteers Opportunities
Board and Board Committee volunteers govern and provide strategic direction to Bruce House. Board members are elected by the membership at a Bruce House Annual General Meeting which are held yearly usually at the end of September. Elected members serve a two-year term with a maximum of three consecutive terms. To help ensure that the Board never loses sight of the realities of living with HIV/AIDS and the need for appropriate housing for people living with HIV/AIDS, the Board always includes at least two individuals who are HIV positive.

Board members also assist the organization by participating in the various committees. Bruce House Committees provide additional opportunities in which board members participate. Many of our committees are also open to non board volunteers. Some of these committees include:
· Finance Committee
· Human Resources Committee
· Strategic Planning Committee
· Policies and By-Laws Committee
· Fundraising Committee
· Communications Committee

Many volunteers find serving on a Board Committee for one or more years helps to better prepare them to serve on the Board of Directors.

Qualifications required for a Bruce House board director:
· be over the age of sixteen; submit your interest to the Executive Director {can this be a link to email address} at Bruce House; attend an interview with one or more members of the Executive or Nominating Committee;
· have skills and/or experience in a specific area of expertise (e.g., financial management, human resources, strategic planning, development / marketing / communications / event planning, legal, service delivery, community development, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and or Housing); and
· have knowledge or a commitment to learn more about the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.

If accepted, as a Board or Committee volunteer you will be given an orientation and may be provided with other development opportunities.

Responsibilities of Board Volunteers include one or more of the following:
· attend regularly scheduled and ad hoc meetings;
· volunteer and/or chair at least one of the Standing or Ad hoc Committees
· take a leadership role in events or projects;
· be available to the Executive Director as a sounding board for strategic initiatives;
· act as an ambassador for Bruce House;
· support Bruce House in raising funds for programs and services

To find out about current and upcoming board and/or committee opportunities please contact the Executive Director, J.J. (Jay) Koornstra, for more information.