Looking to be a part of community conversations? Want to meet new people while developing professional skills? Volunteer with us!
Why volunteer?
There are many reasons to volunteer with us! By meaningfully contributing to our events and programming in the day-to-day or behind the scenes, volunteers will develop skills and gain professional experience working in community engagement. Form connections within SFU and beyond by supporting conversations and action for social change.
SFU students who volunteer with us are also eligible to receive credit on their Co-Curricular Record!
The program is intended to create space for voices to be heard, amplified and empowered within the university. This includes those who have historically been left out of conversations and decision-making processes within the institution—such as people with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), and people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.
Athena Samonte, our most recent Program Volunteer, wrote a blogpost reflecting on her experience working with SFU Public Square. Read the full article to learn more about the program from a former volunteer's perspective!
Event volunteers will assist in pre-event planning and logistics, day-of event hospitality (working the registration table, audience management, note-taking, etc.), and/or writing event recaps and blogs post-event.
Position and Time Commitment
This position supports SFU Public Square’s events during a given semester, as an on call/as needed volunteer. Roles available may vary depending on event formats, allowing volunteers to gain experience in a variety of skills throughout the semester. For this position, volunteers will commit to attending and supporting 2-3 upcoming events programmed during the coming semester and to staying up-to-date with the pre-event content and training uploaded to Canvas.
Time commitment: Volunteer schedule is dependent on events and will occur on an as-needed basis. Event Volunteers commit to attending and supporting 2-3 events in the coming semester. Typical volunteer shifts for events require 3-5 hours commitment and 1-2 hours of pre-work/reading or training.
Responsibilities
- Working at the registration table, audience management/mic-running, note-taking, ushering crowds, and/or writing event recaps and blogs on an event or series.
- Attending all mandatory training sessions, event preparation meetings, and keeping up-to-date with event information (via event Volunteer Guides) and online content on Canvas.
- Communicating development goals, capacity, and availability with staff in a timely manner.
- Being an active and enthusiastic ambassador for SFU Public Square through outreach on specific events across SFU communities.
Benefits
- Develop event hosting skills, including organization and time-management.
- Nurture interpersonal communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Form personal and professional connections within SFU and the broader community through engagement with our event partners and attendees.
- Be a part of the SFU Public Square team and gain behind-the-scenes access to events.
- SFU students gain Co-Curricular Record (CCR) credits.
Application Instructions
Please note that you will need to submit the following items with your application when filling out the Event Volunteer survey.
- Application questions include:
- Do you have any previous volunteer experience?
- Why are you interested in volunteering with us? (100 words max)
In-office volunteers will conduct research on relevant event topics or partnerships, contribute to event marketing and promotion strategy, assist with communications and social media management, and complete administrative tasks as needed
Position and Time Commitment
This position consists of volunteering in-person at the SFU Public Square office, located at 312 Main Street in Downtown Vancouver. By spending 3-5 hours every two weeks with the SFU Public Square team, volunteers gain in-office experience and develop communications/planning skills while contributing to overarching organizational goals and projects. For this position, volunteers must commit to one semester of in-person office hours bi-weekly and stay up to date with tasks and content uploaded to Canvas. Bi-weekly hours are established in consultation with staff.
Time commitment: 3-5 hours bi-weekly on Monday, Wednesday or Thursday for 10 –12 weeks within the academic semester, with no more than 60 hours per term. This includes 30-minute meetings with an SFU Public Square staff member bi-weekly to check-in.
Responsibilities
- Support SFU Public Square events by conducting research on a relevant event topic or partnership, contributing to the event marketing and promotion strategy, and completing administrative tasks as needed.
- Support SFU Public Square staff with communications responsibilities, including social media planning and coordination, research on relevant topics, targeted outreach, occasional writing/proof-reading, and completing additional tasks as needed.
- Assist with creative ideation, resizing promotional event graphics for social media channels, Eventbrite and SFU Public Square’s website, and occasional website maintenance.
- Attend all mandatory training and in-office meetings and keep up to date with event/project information and content online through Canvas.
- Communicate professional goals, capacity, and time availability with staff in a timely manner.
- Be an active and enthusiastic ambassador for SFU Public Square through in-office activities around specific events and programming.
Benefits
- Develop skills in research, communications, marketing, event logistics, and/or graphic design based on the needs and goals of the volunteer, as well as SFU Public Square’s capacity.
- Make personal and professional connections within SFU and the broader community through event partners and 312 Main’s member organizations.
- Work alongside SFU Public Square staff and peers in an office environment, including access to the space’s amenities (free printing, coffee/tea, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more).
- Be a part of the SFU Public Square team and gain behind-the-scenes access to events.
- SFU students gain Co-Curricular Record (CCR) credits.
- Receive recommendations for future professional opportunities.
Training
- SFU Public Square Orientation and Guidelines (Canvas modules)
- Skills Training (professionalism in external and internal communications & communications-related social media training)
- Role-based training as needed (can vary per event or based on in-office role focus)
Application Instructions
We thank everyone interested in our In-Office volunteer program! We are not currently accepting applications for in-office volunteers. Check back soon for more details.
Connect with us!
If you have any questions about the program, please contact with Seth Erais at seth_re@sfu.ca.
Volunteer testimonials
Samia Nur Chowdhury
"During my time attending Simon Fraser University, I have volunteered with SFU Public Square on multiple occasions, with the very first experience having a life-changing impact on me. Beyond the team being extremely helpful and supportive, the experience empowered me to meet with knowledgeable people from diverse backgrounds and attend thought-provoking seminars.
I encourage everyone, especially those new to the world of volunteering, to participate in the SFU Public Square volunteer program. This experience not only helps build important skills, such as interpersonal communication proficiency, but will also help you gain advice from mentors and obtain practical experience."
Gabrielle Wong
"Volunteering with SFU Public Square through the Peer Education program was a highlight of my first year. I initially joined the program because of the interesting events that SFU Public Square organizes, and I stayed because of the fantastic and supportive team that makes the program a success!
Although it’s been a few years since I volunteered, the collaborative, communication, and event planning skills that I learnt have stuck with me. SFU Public Square is emblematic of SFU’s commitment to community engagement, dialogue, and equity. I’m grateful that I got to be a small part of those goals as a peer educator."