Getting to Know You, and Appreciate You, Through Volunteering

Most of us, at some time in our lives, choose to volunteer our time, energy and experience to a worthy organization or cause.  We begin our volunteer journey with hopeful hearts, wanting to make a difference and believing that the host organization will appreciate our efforts.  We also hope to fulfill some of our own aspirations in the bargain, perhaps by having a bit of fun, learning new things or making friends.  Sometimes the experience meets or even exceeds our expectations, and we stay with the organization for years, offering hundreds of hours of service.

At Grey Roots we want to make your volunteer involvement an enjoyable one. You give your precious time to the museum and/or archives so that we can fulfill Grey Roots’ mandate.  Your participation makes Grey Roots live, breathe and reflect this community.  Whether you interpret local history in Moreston Heritage Village, research documents in the Archives, care for the Collection, provide support for projects and exhibits, animate special events and KidsCamp, or a dozen other tasks, volunteers represent an integral part of this institution.  You are needed and appreciated here!

What do we do to try ensure you feel valued, to meet your expectations when you give so much of yourself?  At Grey Roots you can expect:

1. Staff in your area will get to know you.  Not just your name and your scheduled hours, but what you like to do, what your experience is and the goals you have set for your volunteer role.
2. We will listen to your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.  Sometimes, for a variety of reasons, we will not be able to act on them, but we will always welcome your input and give it due consideration.
3. You will be welcomed and greeted at each shift and thanked each time.
4. Your efforts will be recognized and celebrated in a variety of ways.  This includes everything from provincial volunteer awards, parties and events, and volunteer cards to informal (but deeply felt) gestures from individual staff.
5. We will notice and miss you when you are away, and welcome you upon your return!
6. We will be honest, forthright and transparent with our policies, practices and expectations.
7. We will provide training and support and help you if you are having trouble with your assignment.
8. You will have fun, you will meet people, you will make friends, you will learn more than you knew when you applied.

Volunteers play an indispensable role in many organizations’ ability to meet their mandate.  They come from all walks of life, with individual needs, experiences and abilities.  At Grey Roots, we respect that volunteers enrich this facility and our lives, and we know that you make a choice to spend your energies with us.  You have the right to expect an exceptional experience when you volunteer anywhere, and we are always working to make sure that you feel valued and welcome here at Grey Roots!