DSS Volunteer Opportunities

We Are Familee (WAF) is a Dignity Seniors Society (DSS) pilot volunteer initiative aimed at supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to age in place (“Aging In Place”).

Please visit We Are Familee for more information, and/or visit our WAF Call for Volunteers page.

Position Title: Member of the Board of Directors

Length of Term: Two years (renewable)

Reports To: Entire Board of Directors

The DSS Board of Directors (BoD) is legally and ethically responsible for all activities of the organization. To that end , the BoD:

1. Determines how the society will carry out its mission through long and short-range planning

2. Oversees the development of the DSS budget and provides fiscal oversight

3. Annually reviews/develops the DSS strategic plan

4. Recruits, orients, and develops board members and develops succession plans

5. Evaluates their performance and overall performance of DSS in achieving its mission

6. Establishes policies for the effective management and sustainability of the society

7. May hire and evaluate the performance of an Executive Director

Board Member Responsibilities

• Attend board meetings and any appropriate committee or working group meetings

• Commit to remaining current and researching the subject of 2SLGTBQIA+ senior’s issues

• Serves as the Board liaison to one of the DSS working groups or committees

• Understands and promotes DSS’ mission

• Be familiar with DSS’ programs, policies, and operations

• When able, participate in any special events relevant to the society in their region when able

• Strictly adheres to DSS' conflict of interest and confidentiality policies

A DSS Board Member can expect to contribute 4-7 hours per month in DSS-related DSS

Time Demands (approximate):

• Attend and actively participate in at least 7 of out of the 9 board meetings per year (meetings occur online every 6 weeks and are 1.5-2 hours in length)

• Attend and actively participate in committee/group meetings and related work (2-6 hrs/ mo)

• Attend and actively participate in the annual strategic planning meeting (1 full day/year)

• Attend and actively participate in the annual general meeting (1-2 hrs in length)

• When able, participate in community outreach in your region (special events, fundraisers, etc) that further DSS’ mission and scope within the community (1-3/year)

• Attend and/or assist with new board member orientation when able (2-4 hrs/member)

This unique seven-month volunteer working committee will assist our contract worker and the DSS Board to develop a robust and sustainable volunteer program. This group will work towards developing a DSS Volunteer Committee that will permanently manage the DSS Volunteer Program. Members of the development committee will be strongly encouraged to join the permanent DSS Volunteer Committee.

For details of this position please read DSS' Volunteer Program Development Committee Member Position description.

Position Title: Dignity Seniors Society Finance and Sustainability Committee Member

Length of Term: 1 year (renewable)

Approximate Hours/Month: 4-8

Reports To: DSS Finance and Sustainability Committee Chair

Position Description:

• Participates in long and short-range planning that strengthens and further develops the DSS Finance and Sustainability strategy

• Assists in the research, application and evaluation of DSS Financial sustainability plans and funding opportunities

• Builds relationships with 2SLGBTQIA+/Seniors service providers, community groups

• Supports Board and committee members to be successful in their roles

Responsibilities:

• Participate in volunteer on-boarding to become familiar with Dignity Seniors Society’s programs, policies and operations

• Attend monthly committee meetings and other relevant meetings when necessary

• Collaborate with committee members on projects and proposals and give input into proposed funding and partnering opportunities when necessary

• Assists in identifying new sources of funding, helps with proposal writing, monitors funding submissions, monitors funders requirements for completion of funding contracts.

• Works with the communications committee to meet funder’s advertising requirements for recognition of funded projects.

• Provide on-going evaluation of the committee structure and performance

• Understand and promote Dignity Seniors Society’s mission and values

• Participate in special events relevant to the Committee as needed

• Adhere to the volunteer code of conduct guidelines and policies

• Attend and participate in annual strategic planning and general meetings if able

Previous work or lived experience with/as 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors, and an understanding of non-profit grant applications and funding streams are considered an asset.

All applications are encouraged and accommodations that mitigate any of the preferred skills and experience are available for applicants who request them.

For more information please email: volunteer@dignityseniors.org

Position Title: Dignity Seniors Society Communications Committee Member

Length of Term: 1 year (renewable)

Approximate Hours/Month: 4-8

Reports To: Communications and PR Consultant/ Communications Committee Chair

Position Description:

• Participates in long and short-range planning that strengthens and further develops the DSS communications strategy

• Assists in developing policy and procedure for handling media inquiries

• Assist in developing communications and promotion of DSS projects that includes events, social media and website content, press releases etc. with a focus on engaging ‘hard to reach’ seniors

• Evaluates the committee structure and overall performance in achieving its objectives to ensure effective management

• Builds relationships with 2SLGBTQIA+/Seniors service providers, community groups

• Supports Board and committee members to be successful in their roles

Responsibilities:

• Participate in Volunteer on-boarding to become familiar with Dignity Seniors Society’s programs, policies and operations

• Attend monthly committee meetings and other appropriate meetings when necessary

• Collaborate with committee members on proposed projects, initiatives and messaging

• Provide on-going evaluation of the committee structure and performance

• Understand and promote Dignity Seniors Society’s mission and values

• Participate in special events relevant to the committee as needed

• Adhere to the volunteer code of conduct guidelines and policies

• Participate in annual strategic planning and general meetings if able

Previous work or lived experience with/as 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors, and an understanding of non-profit communications, social media and website development is considered an asset

All applications are encouraged and accommodations that mitigate any of the preferred skills and experience are available for applicants who request them

For more information please email: volunteer@dignityseniors.org

Position Title: Dignity Seniors Society Housing Working Group Member

Length of Term: 1 year (renewable)

Approximate Hours/Month: 4-8

Reports To: DSS Housing Working Group Chair

Position Description:

• Participates in long and short-range planning that strengthens and further develops the DSS Housing strategy

• Assists in the research, collaboration and evaluation of DSS Housing opportunities; including - subsidized housing, aging in place, co-operative housing models, shared housing models, long-term-care and assisted living, hospice and palliative care, and emergency housing options.

• Evaluates the Housing Working Group structure and overall performance in achieving its objectives to ensure effective management

• Builds relationships with 2SLGTBQIA+/Seniors service providers, community groups

• Assists in the development, management, evaluation, communications and promotion of DSS Housing projects

• Supports Board and Working Group members to be successful in their roles

Responsibilities:

• Participate in volunteer on-boarding to become familiar with Dignity Seniors Society’s programs, policies and operations

• Attend online monthly Working Group meetings and other appropriate meetings when necessary

• Collaborate with Working Group Members on projects and proposals and give input into proposed funding and partnering opportunities when necessary

• Provide on-going evaluation of the Housing Working Group structure and performance

• Understand and promote Dignity Seniors Society’s mission and values

• Participate in special events relevant to the Working Group as needed

• Adhere to the Volunteer code of conduct guidelines and policies

• Participate in the DSS annual strategic planning and AGM if able

Previous work or lived experience with/as 2SLGTBQIA+ Seniors, and an understanding of Housing Principals is considered an asset

All applications are encouraged and accommodations that mitigate any of the preferred skills and experience are available for applicants who request them

For more information please email: volunteer@dignityseniors.org

Position Title: Dignity Seniors Society Community Building Working Group Member

Length of Term: 1 year (renewable)

Approximate Hours/Month: 3-6

Reports To: Community Building Working Group Chair

Position Description:

• Participates in long and short-range planning that strengthens and further develops the DSS mission, values, community relations, projects and initiatives

• Assists in developing engagement initiatives, partnerships and promotion of DSS projects that includes relationship building and maintenance, community events, social media, newsletter and website content, with a focus on engaging ‘hard to reach’ seniors

• Evaluates the working group structure and overall performance in achieving its objectives to ensure effective management

• Builds relationships with 2SLGBTQIA+/Seniors, their service providers, and community groups

• Supports Board and Working Group members to be successful in their roles

Responsibilities:

• Participate in Volunteer on-boarding to become familiar with Dignity Seniors Society’s programs, policies and operations

• Attend monthly working group meetings and other appropriate meetings when necessary

• Collaborate with working group members on proposed projects, initiatives and messaging

• Provide on-going evaluation of the working group structure and performance

• Understand and promote Dignity Seniors Society’s mission and values

• Participate in special events relevant to the working group as needed

• Adhere to the volunteer code of conduct guidelines and policies

• Participate in annual strategic planning and general meetings if able

Previous work or lived experience with/as 2SLGBTQIA+ Seniors, and an understanding of non-profit communications, public relations and community building is considered an asset

All applications are encouraged and accommodations that mitigate any of the preferred skills and experience are available for applicants who request them

For more information please email: volunteer@dignityseniors.org

Position Title: Dignity Seniors Society End of Life Planning Working Group Member

Length of Term: 6 months-1 year (renewable)

Approximate Hours/Month: 3-5

Reports To: End of Life Planning Working Group Chair

Position Description:

●      Participates in long and short-range planning that strengthens and further develops the DSS mission, values, and any relevant community relations, projects and initiatives

●      Assists in research and information compilation and dissemination that pertains to the End of Life Planning working group’s defined short and long-term goals that may include relationship building, community engagement, social media, newsletter and website content creation

●      Evaluates the working group structure and overall performance in achieving its objectives to ensure effective management

●      Builds relationships with 2SLGTBQI+/Seniors, their service providers, and community groups

●      Supports Board and Working Group members to be successful in their roles

Responsibilities:

●      Participate in Volunteer on-boarding to become familiar with Dignity Seniors Society’s programs, policies and operations

●      Attend monthly working group meetings and other appropriate meetings when necessary

●      Collaborate with working group members on proposed projects, initiatives and messaging

●      Provide on-going evaluation of the working group structure and performance

●      Understand and promote Dignity Seniors Society’s mission and values

●      Participate in special events or engagement activities relevant to the working group as needed

●      Adhere to the volunteer code of conduct guidelines and policies

●      Participate in annual strategic planning and general meetings if able

Previous work or lived experience with/as 2SLGTBQIA+ Seniors, an understanding of financial, physical and/or emotional aspects of end of life planning, and community relations are considered an asset.

All applications are encouraged and accommodations that mitigate any of the preferred skills and experience are available for applicants who request them.

For more information please email: volunteer@dignityseniors.org