Volunteer

About ISSofBC Entrepreneurship Programs

ISSofBC’s Entrepreneurship Programs offer comprehensive support to newcomer entrepreneurs, guiding them through business idea development, creating robust business plans, navigating registration processes, exploring funding options, and overcoming business challenges. Through personalized guidance from business advisors and targeted workshops, participants gain valuable skills, and access to mentors. In addition, they build essential connections to successfully launch and grow their ventures. Further, our programs provide online learning opportunities and business mentorship to enhance entrepreneurial success.

As a Volunteer Videographer at ISSofBC Entrepreneurship Programs:

You’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by visually documenting the journeys of immigrants and refugees improving their businesses in British Columbia. Empower our entrepreneur clients to showcase their ventures professionally, boosting their confidence and business prospects.

By volunteering with us, you will gain exposure to diverse entrepreneurial ventures, expand your portfolio, and contribute significantly to empowering immigrant entrepreneurs to thrive in their new communities.

Upon request, we can provide a reference letter or testimonial based on your performance and commitment to the program.

 Assignment Title:  Volunteer Videographer (Skills-based volunteering)

 Location of Assignment: ISSofBC Welcome Centre–Surrey  301-10334 152A St. Surrey BC V3R 7P8

 Delivery:       This is an in-person and remote volunteering opportunity

Position Summary:

We are seeking a talented and passionate volunteer videographer to support entrepreneur clients within ISSofBC’s entrepreneurship programs. As a volunteer videographer, you will play a crucial role in capturing compelling visual stories that highlight the successes and challenges faced by our clients. Your responsibilities will include recording videos for clients’ businesses, and compellingly showcasing their products/services. Your skills will significantly contribute to our clients’ business success and journey towards self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with entrepreneur clients to understand their business stories, goals, and target audiences.
• Capture high-quality video footage of clients’ business operations, products, and entrepreneurial journeys.
• Edit and produce engaging video content, including business profiles, success stories, and promotional videos.
• Ensure video content aligns with clients’ brand identities and effectively communicates their unique value propositions.
• Conduct interviews with clients and stakeholders to gather testimonials and insights for video storytelling.
• Support our entrepreneurship programs by documenting program-related events and activities through video.

Essential Skills & Knowledge:

• Proficiency in videography techniques, including camera operation, lighting, and audio recording.
• Experience in video editing and post-production using editing software.
• Ability to tell compelling stories through video, capturing the essence of clients’ entrepreneurial experiences.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Attention to detail and ability to adapt video style to match clients’ needs and objectives.

Education/Training Background:

While formal education in videography is not mandatory, any relevant training, experience, certifications, or workshops in videography, video editing, or related fields would be advantageous.

Assets:

• A genuine passion for videography and storytelling, with a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of entrepreneur clients.
• Previous experience working with diverse communities and a culturally sensitive approach.
• Familiarity with video editing software and tools for post-production.
• Understanding of business concepts and industries, particularly with entrepreneurial ventures.

As a Volunteer Videographer at ISSofBC Entrepreneurship Program:

• You’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact helping immigrants and refugees to improve and promote their business ideas here in BC.
• You’ll gain experience in video editing and the non-profit sector.

 Time Commitment:

Approximately 1-3 hours per week for 6 months

Application Process and Screening Measures

• Email us: 

You must send an email to leo.cabasag@issbc.org to express your interest in the volunteer role.

2. Attend the Volunteer Information Session

Upon invitation, you must attend the General Volunteer Information Session (ISSofBC Langley Office).

3. Complete Police Information Checks

You must successfully pass the vulnerable sector Police Information Checks through the RCMP, or the Criminal Records Check through the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

4. Register with our system and complete the application

We will send an invitation link.  You will need to create a username and password. Fill out and complete the online application form.

5. Attend Screening Interview

You must be willing to travel to the Surrey office to meet the Entrepreneurship Program Team for an interview. In some cases, meeting through an online platform will suffice.

Service Standard

It will take at least 5 business days to contact you once we receive your application. The volunteer screening process generally takes 3 to 5 weeks to complete. We will process volunteer applications upon recommendation of the program.

Settlement Mentor, Settlement Volunteer Program

Location: ISSofBC – Burnaby

The Organization:The Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC) is one of the largest immigrant-serving agencies in Canada, with a national and international reputation in the field of migrant issues and services for immigrants and refugees. Since 1972 we’ve been providing a variety of support services for immigrants and refugees to help them get settled, find careers and learn all they need to know about starting their new lives in Canada. Through our dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners, we provide settlement, education and employment services for over 20,000 clients every year.

The Role: Facilitation – Volunteer Mentor, Settlement

ISSofBC Volunteers play a key role in achieving the organization’s mission, “helping newcomers build a future in Canada.” Volunteers support newcomer immigrants to smoothly settle and integrate into Canadian society in many different aspects of the settlement process. One of the ways is to help newcomers learn more about Canadian culture and heritage and to help improve their communication skills and confidence in their settlement journey into Canadian society, living in BC and becoming an active member of their local community.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Support newcomers to Canada in their initial settlement and be a resource for connecting them to the community
• Provide orientation, cultural awareness and creating a conducive environment for successful integration into Canadian society and Canadian culture

 Qualifications

 Knowledge

• Familiarity/experience in group facilitation
• Familiarity with online video communication platforms/conferencing apps such as Zoom and Telegram
• Good command of the English language and communication skills
• Advanced English level – Canadian Language Benchmark or CLB 5 or higher
• Cross-cultural experience or commitment to learn about others’ culture

Skills, Abilities, and Attitudes

• Ability to converse with people from various backgrounds and levels of English – Canadian Language Benchmark Basic CLB 1-4 and Intermediate CLB 5-8
• Ability to exchange ideas with participants through communication, active listening, and non-verbal cues
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive and professional relationships with participants, staff, and other volunteers
• Good listener, flexible, patient, and empathetic towards the newcomer participants
• Creative and innovative
• Adaptable and open to changing methods and plans of the sessions
• Excellent interpersonal skills and can function well in a diverse cultural atmosphere
• Demonstrates a genuine interest in learning more about newcomer experiences

 Other requirements

• Volunteers for this role must be at least 18 years old
• Completion of the volunteer information session
• Completion of training sessions, observe other online/in-person conversation circle sessions
• If working online, access to a computer or laptop device
• Access to a stable internet connection
• Successful volunteers must submit proof of vaccination (COVID-19)
• Successful vulnerable sector criminal record check (CRC)

Boundaries and Expectations

• Always respect confidentiality
• Respect participants decisions
• Maintain professional relationships (exchanging of phone numbers is discouraged, engaging participants on social networking sites should be avoided)
• Focus on the present, not the past, unless participants share 

 Training

 Volunteers for this position are required to complete the following:

• Online Volunteer Orientation, Understanding Settlement, and Integration process

 Benefits

 Volunteers will have the opportunity to:

• Access specific training for the role.
• Learn more about the migration, settlement, and integration process
• Request for Volunteer Confirmation Letter
• Increase cultural competency and learn different perspectives in the lens of newcomer immigrants
• Enhance facilitation skills
• Add Canadian experience to resume (or close the gap)

 Time Frame / Level of Commitment

• Volunteers for this position must commit to at least three months
• Possible placement extension upon agreement
• Period of volunteering – Short-term to long-term

 Application Process and Screening Measures

• Interested volunteers must fill out the online application
• Once the application form is complete, the potential volunteer will undergo an in-person interview (following ISSofBC COVID-19 safety protocols)
• Potential volunteers must be willing to travel to the Burnaby office
• The potential volunteer must successfully pass the vulnerable sector Police Information Checks through the RCMP, or the Criminal Records Check through the BC Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
• It will take at least 5 business days for us to contact you once your application has been received. The volunteer screening process generally takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete

Frequency of the recruitment for the position

Ongoing, quarterly.

Staff Contact

For questions and clarifications, please contact:

Fatoumata Niane
Coordinator, Volunteer Programs
Telephone Number:  604-395-8000 Ext. 1633
Email address:  fatoumata.niane@issbc.org