Volunteering
Volunteers have a long history of supporting events and activities in Waterloo. Find current openings, recognition and volunteer resources below.
Be You @ Waterloo
At the City of Waterloo, we are committed to recruiting a diverse volunteer team that represents the community we so proudly serve. All interested and qualified candidates, including Indigenous persons, Black person, non-Black racialized persons/persons of colour, women, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ and those interested in joining our team are encouraged to apply.
COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
In accordance with the City of Waterloo’s Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, new City of Waterloo volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of acceptance, subject to accommodations required in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please note that city staff will communicate the vaccination program requirements for each volunteer position as they may vary based on the duties of the position.
Current opportunities
Event helper volunteers |
Join our Event Helper Team and assist with the set-up and tear-down of City of Waterloo events. Must be age 16+ and able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds. Once accepted, volunteers receive emails with sign-up information about upcoming events. Events take place in UpTown Waterloo and are mostly held weekends or evenings. |
Volunteer driver for Senior Outing Day Program |
Drive Day Program clients to or from their home in Waterloo to the Day Program at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex on a weekday from approximately 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. or 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. |
Volunteer driver for Waterloo Home Support |
Drive Home Support clients, an older adult or adult with a disability to appointments on a weekday morning or afternoon. |
List shopper volunteer for Waterloo Home Support |
Shop for groceries for a Home Support Client in Waterloo from a list and deliver the groceries on a weekday morning or afternoon. |
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.
2022 Volunteer Salute | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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.