Get Involved / Volunteer with VHF

Volunteer with VHF

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

Become a volunteer with VHF and help share Vancouver's stories

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 – up to 2 events per volunteer per year
  • Receive a VHF volunteer t-shirt to wear during events
  • Receive an invitation to our annual volunteer appreciation night
  • Be a part of a thriving community committed to the conservation of Vancouver’s built heritage

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Volunteer team, Laneway Housing Tour October 2016

2016 Laneway Tour Welcome Volunteers

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

Hotdogs For Heritage Fundraiser information table, Summer 2012

Volunteers running the concession, Movie Nights at the Hollywood, 2013

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

Program Manager, Rebecca Bishop and Planner and Volunteer, Jeannette Hlavach, setting up for Casa Mia 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 in April, June, September and October each 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 tour 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 think this is you, we would like to hear from you!

Click Here to view the application process

Please tell us a bit about yourself! Please copy and paste these questions into an email that will pop up when you click SIGN UP HERE below.

Please provide your full name, preferred email address (if different), mailing address and a phone number (cell phone also if you can carry one during a volunteer event so we can reach you).

What interests you about volunteering for Vancouver Heritage Foundation?

What is your profession? Do you have any volunteer experience?
How did you hear about us?

Do you have any questions for us? Are there other skills you might like to share with VHF?

Sign me up to receive VHF's twice monthly email updates: Yes/No

SIGN UP HERE

RETURNING VOLUNTEERS FORM, GUIDELINES & BENEFITS

Junior Researchers and Data Entry/Editing Needed!

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 and data entry of the Heritage Site Finder interactive map.

If you are interested in contributing to help us complete the map, please contact our office at 604-264-9642 or email Jessica Quan, Special Projects Coordinator.