Volunteering

Volunteers have a long history of supporting events and activities in Waterloo. Find current openings, recognition and volunteer resources below. 

Current opportunities

  • Volunteers assist with a variety of city activities, from aquatics and seniors programs to environmental events and festivals. Subscribe to this page (go to bottom) to be notified when we add new positions.

Office volunteer, Waterloo Home Support
  • Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • seeking a friendly adult with office experience and good customer service skills
  • ability to make confirmation calls for senior’s transportation program and perform clerical tasks
  • must have excellent reading, writing and speaking skills in English
  • located at Adult Recreation Centre

Apply online

Laurel Creek Citizens Working Group member
  • share your interest in local streams
  • volunteers meet the second Thursday evening of the month to plan and coordinate then deliver stream stewardship workdays and educational activities in our community
  • apply with resume by January 31
  • interviews will be held February 4 and 5, 2020

Apply online

Pollinator Working Group members
  • the pollinator working group plans, coordinates and delivers educational experiences and community stewardship activities related to native pollinators
  • share your passion for pollinators
  • meetings are held the first Thursday evening of the month, plus attend events

Apply with resume

Event helpers for Winterloo
  • help with Waterloo's annual, family-friendly outdoor winter festival in UpTown Waterloo, January 25 to 26, 2020
  • customer service shifts include assisting with programs and providing information (must be minimum 14 years)
  • set-up or tear-down shifts include setting up tables, tents, etc. (must be minimum 16 years and able to lift up to 30 pounds)
  • many shifts available

Apply online

Neighbourhood outdoor ice rink volunteer
  • volunteers age 16+
  • maintain the neighbourhood rinks by flooding and snow shoveling
  • caring for equipment and keep a watchful eye on the rinks
  • specific need for Haida Park and Bluestream locations
  • visit our outdoor rinks page for a complete list of rink locations
  • for more information contact: waterloorinks@waterloo.ca or 519-747-8772 x 78772

Apply online

Neighbourhood outdoor ice rink convener
  • seeking responsible community minded 18+ adult
  • schedule and coordinate volunteer support for an outdoor rink
  • assist with maintaining the rink
  • commitment is three to six hours per week
  • seeking convener for Laurelwood Park outdoor rink
  • for more information contact: waterloorinks@waterloo.ca or 519-747-8772 x 78772

Apply online

Friends of Waterloo Park team member
  • make Waterloo Park a better, more beautiful place for residents of all ages and abilities
  • engage in events and fundraising to enliven the park now, and enhance the park for the future
  • plan in the evening once or twice per month, volunteer with events in the park once or twice a season
  • interest or experience in communications, event organizing, sponsorship and/or fundraising
  • Friends of Waterloo Park works in cooperation with the Waterloo Park Advisory Committee and the City of Waterloo to fulfill the goals of the Waterloo Park Master Plan
  • for those with leadership and teamwork abilities to tackle short and long term goals

Apply online

Aquatics volunteer
  • assist with aquatics programs for a minimum of one session
  • must be age 14 and up
  • must have current Bronze Cross or Bronze Medallion and CPR B or C

Apply online

Grocery shopper escort for seniors
  • weekly or every other week
  • drive a Waterloo senior to the grocery store
  • assist with shopping
  • help put groceries away
  • must have valid G license and a reliable vehicle safe driving record and pass all screening requirements

Apply online

List grocery shoppers
  • two hours per week or every other week
  • assist a Waterloo senior with grocery shopping
  • must have a reliable vehicle and meet screening requirements
  • list shopper will pick up groceries, deliver and help put them away

Apply online

Driver for seniors
  • one half day per week
  • drive Waterloo seniors to appointments
  • must be a caring, experienced driver with a reliable vehicle and pass screening requirements
  • mileage is reimbursed

Apply online

Drivers for seniors outing program
  • Once/week from 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., or 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
  • The Senior Outing Day Program requires 3,000 rides annually for over 40 participants
  • Must be a caring, experienced driver with a reliable vehicle and pass screening requirements
  • Mileage is reimbursed
  • Volunteer shift is consistent day/time each week

Apply online

Activity assistant for senior outing program
  • Mondays, Tuesdays or Fridays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Adult Recreation Centre
  • Seeking dependable, friendly adult volunteers with excellent communication skills
  • Welcome and socialize with participants, serve refreshments and assist with planned activities 

Apply online

For more information about these positions, contact us at volunteer@waterloo.ca or 519-888-6488.

Volunteer recognition

Each April we celebrate National Volunteer Week by sending a special thank you to thousands of dedicated volunteers who make a positive impact in the community. We recognize volunteer milestones by saluting community builder award recipients with an ad in the Waterloo Chronicle.

Many of our civic awards also speak to the spirit of volunteers in the community. 

Community Builder Awards

This award recognizes volunteers who provide ongoing service with the City of Waterloo and affiliate programs. 

Nomination forms are sent to eligible organizations in early January.

Recognition 

Recognition takes place through the organizations that volunteers support.

There are two types of pins, a standard Waterloo volunteer pin and milestone pin for service in increments of five years. A two year milestone pin is also available for persons age 25 and under.

The city recognizes all recipients in the Waterloo Chronicle during National Volunteer Week in April.

Organizations choose how to recognize recipients. It's typically done at board meetings, annual general meetings or volunteer recognition events. The city distributes pins to the organizations in March to coincide with National Volunteer Week.

Volunteer resources

  • Volunteer Action Centre has local volunteer postings from over 150 different organizations
  • Volunteer Canada provides tools and guidelines for those interested in volunteering or managing volunteers
  • PAVRO is the provincial resource for Volunteer Managers
  • VMPC is the national resource for Volunteer Managers.