Volunteer
"To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world".
-
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
You have time, skills and talents to share and want to give back to the community?
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your personal and professional skills?
We like your attitude! People like you make it possible for AWISH to work its mission.
Please contact AWISH for non-Board volunteer opportunities.
We look forward to working together to help arthritics flourish with a better quality of life.
Current AWISH Volunteer Opportunities:
AWISH (Arthritis West Island Self Help Association), a volunteer-run not-for-profit organization established in 1987 in Dorval, Quebec.
We are rapidly transitioning our small grassroots Montreal West Island organization into becoming a true reference point on all issues related to arthritis, extending our outreach towards more beneficiaries on one hand, and more/better sources of help/expertise on the other.
With an estimated 30,000+ adults afflicted in this region alone there is considerable potential to reduce healthcare costs and overload while improving quality of life. The impact of arthritis on the Canadian economy in healthcare costs and lost productivity is estimated to be $33 billion each year. By 2031, this number is expected to more than double to over $67 billion. While arthritis cannot be cured, we know it can be managed and we can provide reliable tips, tools, programs, friendship and knowledge for coping.
We are looking for volunteers to actively participate as a member of the Board of Directors. Our charity is particularly in need of skilled individuals willing to take leading roles in:
- Fundraising and donor relations
- Community outreach and member relations
- Communications and marketing, including increasing online and social media presence
- Program management and development
Positions are for a renewable 1-year term with a 6–month probationary period. Knowledge of arthritis is not a requirement. Experience in a similar position at another non-profit organization would be an asset, but not essential. Board members must also be AWISH members.
AWISH BOARD MEMBER POSITION
Function: Documents and communicates Corporation business to the Board.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Attend monthly board meetings – typically held virtually on the second Wednesday of each month;
- Participate in sub-committee meetings in area of the director’s expertise;
- Participate or assist with in-person community outreach events in the West Island of Montreal;
- Meet the highest ethical and professional standards in their actions, their use of authority, and their dealings with others while representing the best interests of the membership;
- Act with integrity and honesty. Model appropriate conduct to set the tone of the organization;
- Collaborate with various stakeholders (donors, members, board and the community) to promote and develop the AWISH brand and network.
AWISH VICE-President/Vice Chair POSITION
Function: 2nd in Command of Directors of the Board, Backup for President.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Acts as the President in his or her absence, resignation or inability to perform duties;
- Assists the President in fulfilling the objectives of the Corporation;
- Reports to and works closely with the President to assist with his or her duties;
- Transfer of further responsibilities can then be assigned by the Vice President;
- Performs other special duties as assigned by the President;
- Assists with orientation and training, as designated, of other Board members;
- Prepares 3 yearly Strategic Plans and 1 yearly Action Plans for Board Approval;
- Is a member of the Nominating and Finance Committees;
- May be a signing officer for the Corporation;
- As Vice Chair: During the absence of or inability to act as the Chair, the duties and powers of the Chair may be exercised by a Vice Chair. If the Vice Chair does take the place of the Chair, the absence of or inability to act as the Chair will be referenced. The Vice Chair will also perform other duties from time to time as prescribed by the Board.
Requirements/Expectations and Qualifications:
- Board experience and qualified training/capabilities in area of expertise needed;
- Proficiency in inter-communication skills, use of computer, high-level documentation and financial management;
- Leadership skills essential.
AWISH Secretary of the Board position
Function: Documents and communicates Corporation business to the Board.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Ensures issue of notices of all meetings of the Board and of members when directed to do so;
- Attends all meetings of the Board, acts as its clerk and records all votes and minutes of all proceedings in the books to be kept for that purpose.
- Shall have access to the minute books of the Corporation and the books as referred to in Sections 101 and 102 of the Companies’ Act, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, properly require of him or her;
- Ensures minutes are distributed to members in a timely manner after each meeting;
- Is sufficiently familiar with legal documents (articles, by-laws, etc.) to note applicability during meetings;
- May be a signing officer for the Corporation;
- The Secretary may delegate his or her duties to other officers if required.
Requirements/Expectations and Qualifications:
- Board experience or training /capabilities in area of expertise needed desirable;
- Proficiency in inter-communication skills, use of computer, high-level documentation and understanding of financial management;
- Leadership skills desirable.
Ongoing Activity Volunteer Needs
- Information session audio-visual technical support (primarily in Dorval, may be other Montreal West Island locations)
- Facebook article/research support
- Quarterly newsletter article/research support
- Event Poster design
- Translation
- Booth or outreach support at local events
