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Volunteer with VHF

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The Early Shift team at one of the Modern Homes on the 2016 Mid-Century Modern House Tour

Thank you to our 2018 Volunteers!

Volunteering for VHF is an opportunity to help VHF spread the message of the positive effects heritage conservation has on Vancouver while meeting new people and learning about our city’s history and unique architecture. VHF benefits from the skills and talents of a large and committed group of volunteers who are dedicated to the conservation of Vancouver’s built heritage. While some positions are continually seeking new volunteers, additional opportunities will appear on this page. Existing volunteers will occasionally receive invitations to volunteer for special events.

Please read the Volunteer Guidelines in full before applying to become a VHF volunteer. Every volunteer is required to sign off that they have read, understood and agree to abide by the Volunteer Guidelines. You will receive your own copy of the guidelines upon being invited to join our volunteer team. They will also remain posted here for reference.

Download the Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteer Benefits

  • Personal access to events commensurate with volunteer hours
  • Additional opportunities to attend specific events throughout the year
  • Receive a VHF volunteer t-shirt to wear during events
  • Receive an invitation to our annual volunteer appreciation event
  • Be a part of a thriving community committed to the conservation of Vancouver’s built heritage

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Special Projects Coordinator, Jessica Quan and Heritage Site Finder Volunteers at the 2017 Heritage House Tour

Volunteers on the 2017 Heritage House Tour

Volunteer team, Laneway Housing Tour October 2016

The morning shift at E 18th on the 2016 Heritage House Tour

Front door welcome Volunteers on the 2016 Heritage House Tour

The plywood team after replacing the security plywood back on WilMar, 2016 Heritage House Tour

2016 Heritage House Tour, Program Manager and volunteer coordinator, Rebecca Bishop with Yvonne.

Upstairs in a purpose built duplex Vancouver Special on the 2016 Tour

Vancouver Special Volunteer Team on the 2016 Tour

Bungalow renovation on the 2016 Vancouver Special Tour

VHF's fabulous tour photographer, Martin Knowles, at the 2015 Volunteer Appreciation Night.

Volunteer Bus Tour Guide, Don Luxton, viewing the house plans for Peter Wardle's narrow design home, 12' 3" wide from 1969 on the 2015 Modern House Tour

House Tour Volunteers at the Queen Charlotte Apartments, 2015 Heritage House Tour

Volunteers Brenda and Sheila keeping the cookies and tea going at the Volunteer Appreciation Event

3 Event Bronze Pin recipients at the Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, December 2, 2014

9 Event Gold Pin recipients at the Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, December 2, 2014

Volunteers Jack, Ciara and Heidi, enjoying the evening at the Volunteer Appreciation December 2, 2014

Planner and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Board Chair, Jeannette Hlavach, giving a historic talk about the Garden at the Volunteer Evening.

Volunteers Jill and Craig enjoying the evening at the Volunteer Appreciation December 2, 2014

John Atkin and Tom Carter, Hycroft Lecture presenters, enjoying the evening at the Volunteer Appreciation December 2, 2014

Board Chair, Marta Farevaag, and Executive Director, Judith Mosley, welcoming everyone at the Volunteer Appreciation Event , December 2, 2014

A cheerful audience at the Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, December 2, 2014

6 Event Silver Pin recipients at the Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, December 2, 2014

The lineup for a Laneway House during the 2013 tour

Volunteers on the 2014 Mid-Century Modern House Tour in the new tee shirt

Volunteers on the 2014 Mid-Century Modern House Tour

Hotdogs For Heritage BBQ volunteers, summer of 2012

Heritage House Tour

VHF Volunteer sharing information about the on-demand water heater system, Laneway House Tour 2013

Guest check in on a sunny Heritage House Tour

Volunteer training session

Heritage House Tour volunteers at the VHF Information Booth, Richard Keate, right, from the Vancouver Heritage Commission.

Cycling volunteers visiting heritage houses off-shift chatting to architect/sponsor, Keith Jakobsen

Vancouver Special Tour volunteer, 2014

Vancouver Special Tour volunteer, 2014

The afternoon volunteer team at Casa Mia, Heritage House Tour 2014

Ticket check-in on the 2014 Heritage House Tour

Off shift volunteers visiting homes on the 2014 Heritage House Tour

Current Available Volunteer Opportunities

House Tour Event Staff

We are continually looking for volunteers who are outgoing and friendly, cooperative, and enjoy interacting with many different people. Our house tours are large events that require many volunteers, and take place two to three times a year. Volunteering at a VHF House Tour is a chance to learn about a home and share that knowledge with visitors, help look after the house, and share VHF's passion for heritage buildings. House Tour volunteers take direction from a house lead who coordinates with VHF staff. Tour day responsibilities can include checking tickets, welcoming guests, guiding them through the houses, enforcing visitor guidelines such as no photography, answering  questions and serving as an engaging ambassador of VHF and heritage conservation.

Volunteering during a house tour requires standing for long periods of time and the ability to navigate sometimes steep or narrow stairs. You may also need to attend a pre-site visit at the home where you'll be stationed. Your house captain will contact you to arrange this. In exchange for working half of the tour day, you will receive a ticket to visit other tour homes. Please note these tickets are not transferable to other persons.

If you are interested or have any questions, we would like to hear from you!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

Proofreaders and Junior Researchers for VHF Online Resources

VHF has developed a Heritage Site Finder interactive map that lists buildings, sites and landmarks found on the Vancouver Heritage Register as well as sites with municipal or provincial designation. Currently included are nearly all of the over 2,300 sites listed on the register, and many now have a description and image. We are currently looking for volunteers who can help with research, proofreading and editing. Check out the  Heritage Site Finder interactive map.

Photographers

VHF's Online Resources often need updated and current images of houses, sites and landscapes. Most images needed are for the Heritage Site Finder, Places That Matter Community History Resource and House Styles webtool.

If you are interested in any of the Special Projects volunteer roles, please contact our office at 604-264-9642 or email Jessica Quan, Special Projects Coordinator.

Board of Directors Treasurer

VHF is governed by a Board of Directors, with an Executive Director and staff team running the operations of the organization. We are seeking a new member of the Board of Directors to take on the Treasurer role. The Treasurer will need strong experience with financial management and strategy to help us towards achieving our strategic goals, ideally with some non-profit experience. Experience on a non-profit board would be helpful but not essential.

VHF has a bookkeeper once per month to do the day-to-day bookkeeping for the organization. The Treasurer oversees the financial health of the organization, working with the Executive Director.

Key aspects of the VHF Treasurer role:

  • Attend all board meetings (monthly, usually 4th Monday in the month, 5pm-7pm at VHF office in downtown Vancouver; typically 9 meetings per year).
  • Chair the Finance Committee. The Committee meets quarterly to review financial performance and forecasts, and once per year for a review of VHF’s long-term investments, and once with the auditor.
  • Maintain knowledge of the organization and personal commitment to its goals and objectives.
  • Understand financial accounting for non-profit organizations.
  • Manage, with the finance committee, the board’s review of and action related to the board’s financial responsibilities.
  • Work with the Executive Director to ensure that appropriate financial reports are made available to the board on a timely basis.

For more information, please contact Executive Director, Judith Mosley at 604 264 9642 or email judith@vancouverheritagefoundation.org