Welcome back to the beginning of the school year, and the first few gusts of fall air. September is the time that many families, students, teachers and community members begin to plan out the next few months – what will your workload be like? What extra curriculars will you be participating in? Will you consider volunteering?
You may know that the BC Ministry of Education requires all BC students to complete Graduation Transitions in order to graduate. In fact, you will find on the BC Ministry of Ed site that all B.C. secondary school students must demonstrate they have met the following requirements in order to graduate:
- Personal Health – maintain a personal health plan and participate in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity.
- Community Connections – participate in at least 30 hours of work experience and/or community service and describe what was learned.
- Career and Life – complete a transition plan and present significant accomplishments.
Our Volunteer Victoria Youth Volunteer Connections Program staff go out to schools and talk to grade 10 classes about the role of volunteering in their lives, and the very important role it plays in their graduation transitions. It’s true that those 30 hours can be completed through work experience, but not every highschool student has a part-time job. We like to plant the ‘volunteering seed’ early in student’s senior years that they can take advantage of the time to get their work or volunteer experience incrementally – imagine the difference between volunteering someplace that you really enjoy, where you feel proud and connected to the work you do over a few months or years; versus volunteering for two weeks in whatever you can get your hands on in order to finish those long 30 hours, moments before the grad transition deadline. It really does make a difference – not simply to the enjoyment of the position, but taking time with a volunteer position also allows for greater resume and skills building.
That being said, we are here for all young people 15-29 years old to help satisfy volunteer goals and needs – whether it’s for a quick volunteering blitz, to find a strategic volunteering position for work experience, or to find ways to fulfill those 30 hours in as fun and fulfilling a way as possible. Our Victoria non-profits really benefit from the volunteer energy, skills and talents that young people bring to their work.
If you or someone you know is looking to get involved by volunteering, come check out our upcoming Volunteer Fair, held at UVic in the Student Union Building from 10-3pm on Monday September 12th. 42 non-profit organizations will be there looking for volunteers!
If you would like more information about how we can help someone find a great volunteer position, or more information about our presentations, please contact Leanna at leanna@volunteervictoria.bc.ca or 250 386-2269