VOLUNTEER
The Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley relies upon many dedicated and compassionate volunteers sharing their time and skills.
Recruitment for volunteers may fluctuate depending on the needs of our community and program delivery.
Volunteers are at the core of the work we do at the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley!
They empower our programs and change the lives of their neighbours by dedicating and sharing their time, professional skills, and talents.
Each and every volunteer is a key component in helping us achieve our mission and vision.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Compassionate Companions
When faced with a life changing diagnosis, or experiencing loss and grief, it can be difficult to know where to turn, with whom you can share your thoughts and fears, your true feelings. Our Compassionate Companions are great listeners. They know that each of us is unique, and they can fill the gaps in your support team, focusing on the things that matter to you.
Dementia Care Team
A diagnosis of dementia can be a shock for the person diagnosed, as well as their partner, family, and friends. Questions around how you will manage, what you need to know and what to expect may circle in your thoughts. Our specialist Dementia Care Team members understand what a diagnosis of dementia can mean. They can provide a listening ear to everyone impacted, an essential lifeline to give respite and connect you with resources that support you through this journey.
Board of Directors
Our board members have vibrant relationships within our community and with other relevant groups throughout Alberta and nationally. Leadership roles on our board of directors are the Board Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Board terms are 3 years, with the opportunity to serve two consecutive terms. The board meets once a month.
Committee Members
Our committee members are great at information and resource sharing! They are strong leaders that have experience and skills that are voiced through thoughtful insight and informed decision making. We have many committees that provide guidance in the multifaceted areas of PCSBV.
Administration & Event Support
These roles include jobs such as planning and day-of tasks for events, administrative duties such as data entry and skill sharing in day-to-day aspects of our society like OH&S and Human Resources; digital media support such as video editing & sound recordings. We also recruit event community champions to help us meet our fundraising goals at events like Hike for Hospice and Golf for Hospice.
Complementary Care Practitioners
Complementary care practitioners volunteer with us to provide access to unique services. We acknowledge the potential benefit and comfort that complementary care can bring to a client and their network. Examples may include massage therapy, aesthetics, yoga, reiki, and many other avenues that aim to provide holistic care.
Important things to consider before beginning your volunteer experience with PCSBV
Without the care and support of our volunteers, we would not be able to offer barrier free grief and palliative care support programs in the Bow Valley. Before you submit an online application and consider becoming a part of our growing team, we hope that you will take some time to reflect on the items below:
- For Compassionate Companions - you are willing and able to commit to the required PCSBV volunteer training, which includes a minimum of 6 hours of online video training and 10 hours in-person follow-up training.
- You agree to log all volunteer activity hours, either using the MyImpact app, or by communicating with our Volunteer Coordinator (e.g.: by phone, email, etc.). This is a requirement for all PCSBV volunteer positions.
- You are open to the stories and experiences of others who may have different values, beliefs and ways of living. You have the ability to listen well, without judgement, and with demonstrated compassion.
- You are aware of the losses you have experienced, and your way of grieving, and have a sense of perspective about life and death, loss and grief.
- Since our work in grief and palliative care aims to provide comfort and quality of life to our clients, we ask that you assess your personal capacity to support someone. If you have limited availability in your personal life, we have non-client-based volunteer opportunities that you may want to consider. Clear communication of planned vacations, time away from the Bow Valley, and general availability must be communicated in advance with the Volunteer Coordinator.
- You have access to good interpersonal supports and ways of taking care of yourself in difficult situations.
- If you have experienced a significant personal loss within the past year, please carefully consider your present ability to take on a demanding role with PCSBV. This work can intensify your own grief.
The team at PCSBV would like to thank you for taking the time to carefully consider and evaluate your personal strengths and limitations before submitting a volunteer application form. If you have additional questions, please contact us.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Check back again soon!
Currently there are no scheduled PCSBV training opportunities.
Visit https://ahpca.ca/hospice-palliative-events/ for a full list of training opportunities throughout Alberta.
We host volunteer training modules incorporating material created by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, provincial/national colleagues, and our original content. The modules may be taken in any order and are rotated throughout the year to accommodate learners' schedules. This training has been developed to ensure our volunteers have consistent training and the information they need to provide high quality services.
We also have tailored specialist training which is provided to our Dementia Team members.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER EVENTS
Volunteer Wellness Series : Yoga with Gill
The PCSBV’s Monthly Volunteer Wellness Series is a PCSBV volunteer-led series that offers an opportunity for volunteers to come together, while sharing knowledge and tools for self-care and wellness.
For this session, Gill will focus on "learning to developing a meditative state". Many people use meditation apps and guided meditations but not many folks use breathwork and integration of body and mind to prepare oneself for that meditative state to arise.
In this PCSBV Volunteer Wellness Series Yoga and Mediation session, our movements will integrate breathwork and chanting techniques, along with beginner friendly meditations with breaks in-between to move alongside music. Do not miss this wonderful opportunity to build resilience and find calm through yoga and meditation.
