FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What can I do as a volunteer with Oxfam?
2. Where can I volunteer for Oxfam Canada?
3. Can I volunteer overseas with Oxfam?
4. How can I help if I only have limited time to give?
5. What is the difference between volunteers and members?
6. Can my group or family volunteer?

1. What can I do as a volunteer with Oxfam?

Volunteer opportunities with Oxfam are in a variety of areas, including:

• Advocacy
  Oxfam Canada relies on volunteers to help communicate our message of social justice, equity and sustainable development.
• Oxfam Campaigns
  Oxfam Canada develops national campaigns and also actively participates in international campaigns coordinated through Oxfam International. Volunteers are important partners in ensuring that campaigns are brought to life in communities across Canada.
• Public Education
  Volunteers deliver presentations on a wide range of issues and themes including introduction to international development, food security, fair trade, basic human rights and much more. These presentations are often in schools to students of all ages but are also offered as workshops open to the public. Volunteers design new workshops and training approaches to ensure that presentations are relevant, timely and meaningful. Volunteers also build public awareness with information tables at conferences and special events.
• Fundraising
  Fundraising from private individuals accounts for about one-third of Oxfam's program budget, much of which is raised with the help of volunteers. There are many ways you can help:
  • assist with emergency humanitarian relief campaigns;
  • work with our staff in our central fundraising office in Toronto ;
  • work with fundraising or program staff in our regional offices;
  • participate in our Stamp Program which raises over $10,000 annually;
  • design and deliver your own fundraiser. Please note that if you want to fundraise on our behalf please learn more about our guidelines by contacting our Toronto fundraising office or contact your nearest regional office;
  • Click here for more info on volunteer fundraising.
• Local Oxfam Groups
  If you want to meet like-minded people in your community who support Oxfam, then joining or starting a local Oxfam group is a great way to become involved. The activities of local groups will differ from location to location but all share a determination to work for social justice and change. Find out more about local groups by contacting your nearest regional office to find out how you can be involved.
• Issue-based virtual work groups and virtual volunteering
  Geography does not need to be a barrier in becoming involved with Oxfam. You can support Oxfam by using your internet access to participate on virtual committees. You will connect with individuals across Canada who are interested in similar issues. From time to time, regional or national staff require assistance that can be performed on-line such as translation, web design, and research.
• Administrative & Technical Support
  Oxfam Canada has busy offices that function without any paid clerical staff. Therefore, we areoften in need of volunteers with computer or administrative skills. Your support will help our staff focus on program development and will help us keep our overhead, administrative costs to a minimum. Our energy and dollars can be devoted to our overseas and advocacy programmes. Examples of tasks performed by volunteers include office reception, data entry, web design and maintenance and much more.
• Research & Writing
  From time to time, our program staff require assistance in conducting research on emerging issues and themes. Volunteers conduct literature reviews and web searches and then prepare a synthesis of their research. This requires a high level of research skills and a strong understanding of the complexities of development issues. Volunteers interested in this kind of assignment are placed in a pool in which the staff can draw upon when the need arises. Volunteers also help prepare a range of written materials including letters, fact sheets, electronic newsletters and more.

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2. Where can I volunteer for Oxfam Canada?

1. Regional Offices
   Oxfam's national office is in Ottawa and there are regional offices in Vancouver, Saskatoon, Toronto, Halifax and St. John's. Each regional office has Canadian program staff who take the lead on campaigns and program initiatives. Please contact the regional office associated with your community of residence or associated with the campaign in which you're interested.
2. In your community
   If you don't live in a community with an Oxfam office, you can volunteer on your own, with a campus club or local Oxfam community group.
3. Schools, universities and colleges have Oxfam clubs for students to become involved with social justice awareness campaigns, fundraising and advocacy.
4. Individual volunteers
   Even if there is not an Oxfam office or a local volunteer group in your community, you can support Oxfam's campaigns, become involved with public education, or help us raise funds.
5. On-line as a "virtual volunteer"
   'Virtual volunteers support Oxfam in a variety of ways. You can provide administrative and technical support such as translating documents, conducting research, HTML coding via the internet and email. You can also participate in on-line committees that span the country that are working on specific projects, issues or themes.

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3. Can I volunteer overseas with Oxfam?

Although Canadians can learn and provide valuable skills by volunteering overseas, it is not within Oxfam Canada's mandate to provide Canadians with overseas volunteer opportunities. Our role in overseas work is funding development programs that are initiated locally, seeking to provide long-term benefits to communities and giving people greater control over their lives. Our programs operate in partnership with local organizations that implement projects themselves, often with local volunteers.

Oxfam Canada is one of thirteen Oxfam affiliates that make up Oxfam International. While Oxfam Canada does not facilitate overseas volunteer opportunities, some other Oxfam affiliates do. For more information visit the website of Oxfam Quebec or other Oxfam affiliates in Oxfam International.

If you want to volunteer overseas, there are many Canadian international voluntary cooperation agencies that operate volunteer programs overseas, including:

• Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), Uniterra Program
• Canadian Crossroads International (CCI)
• Youth Challenge International
• Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO)
• CUSO-VSO
• Oxfam Quebec
• SUCO
• World University Service of Canada (WUSC)

You can visit the website of the Canadian Council for International Cooperation for a list of organizations and resources involved in international development.

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4. How can I help if I only have limited time to give?

As much of our work is project based, prospective volunteers should be prepared to make a time commitment. However we don't always ask volunteers to make an ongoing commitment. There are a variety of ways to volunteer if you only have a little time. Your gift of a few hours might help us coordinate a meeting, update a mailing list, prepare new campaign kits and so on. Call the nearest regional office to get information on current projects that need support, or register as a member of Oxfam Canada and we will let you know how you can help.

And, of course donations are always another great way to support Oxfam.

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5. What is the difference between volunteers and members?

Although it is not required, many Oxfam volunteers are also Oxfam members. Oxfam Canada members are individuals who support our mission and come from our constituencies of volunteers, donors, employees and supporters. Our members may also be actively involved in the shaping of Oxfam policies and helping set the overall direction of the organization. Become a member of Oxfam Canada.

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6. Can my group or family volunteer?

Yes! Volunteering with your own group can be fun way to work together with classmates, work colleagues or family members. You can fundraise, collect & sort stamps, support our campaigns, share information with your colleagues or classmates and so much more.

Contact your nearest regional Oxfam office.

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