VOLUNTEER IN TRAINING (VIT)

The Volunteer in Training (VIT) program gives Between Friends members the opportunity to develop volunteering skills in a safe, inclusive environment. VITs can gain experience by volunteering in W.E.S.O.A.R! and/or Camp Bonaventure.

SUPPORT STRUCTURE

Each VIT is supported by a VIT Leader, who mentors the VIT and collaborates with Program Leaders to ensure an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

The VIT Leader does not act as a 1:1 aide or respite worker.

When the VIT, VIT Leader, and Program Leaders agree the VIT is ready, the VIT may begin volunteering independently.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To participate in the VIT program, individuals must:

• Be a current Between Friends Member
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be independent in personal care and require minimal behaviour support, or attend with a community aide or respite worker
• Have a genuine interest in volunteering
• Agree to a Calgary Police Service Security and Vulnerable Sector Check (provided at no cost)
• Consent to a Child Welfare Background Check (any involvement may result in dismissal)
• Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as defined by the Government of Alberta

REGISTRATION AND FEES

To Register: Email volunteers@betweenfriends.ab.ca

Cost: Access to the VIT program is a perk of your Between Friends membership — no additional fees apply.

PROGRAM SESSIONS

• Winter W.E.S.O.A.R!: February – April

• Camp Bonaventure: Two weeks in July or August

• Fall W.E.S.O.A.R!: September – November

FUND DEVELOPMENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Our Fund Development Team is always looking for volunteers to help out with a range of events and opportunities year-round. These opportunities are available to all Members, Caregivers, Donors, Supporters, and Corporate partners over the age of 18 looking to volunteer their time at our events.

TYPES OF OPPORTUNITIES

• Friends in Motion
  • Runs in March in the evening. Volunteering opportunities would include registration, running activities for groups, and more.
• Charity Golf Tournament
  • Our Charity Golf Tournament runs at the beautiful Silvertip Resort in Canmore Alberta in August of each year. There are lots of volunteer opportunities here, including running our popular ‘candy table’, helping with registration, volunteer relief, and much more!
• Third Party Events
  • These third party events run around the year, and include events like running a BBQ, marathons, poker nights, bottle drives, clothes drives, and more as they come up.
• Thank-A-Thon Support
  • Three times a year, we look for volunteers to help with our ‘Thank-A-Thon’, a marathon of saying thank you to donors who have supported us recently.
• Speaking Engagements
  • Between Friends occasionally gets invited to share our story and impact at events and with corporations around Calgary. If you have been impacted by the work that we do, we’d love to have you there with us to share your stories

HOW TO JOIN

If you’re interested in volunteering with our Fund Development Team at any of these events, reach out to us at fdadmin@betweenfriends.ab.ca. We can share more information including dates, times, and specifics regarding each individual event. 

AKTION CLUB

Between Friends is proud to partner with Aktion Club, the only service club in the world dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities through leadership, community service, and personal growth. With more than 7,200 members worldwide, Aktion Club is making a global impact—one meaningful connection at a time.

Aktion Club brings together individuals from a variety of organizations that support people with disabilities, along with community-based programs, faith groups, libraries, YMCAs, and other inclusive spaces. Each club is proudly sponsored by a local Kiwanis Club, a community of service-minded leaders committed to supporting meaningful opportunities for all.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

To participate in the Aktion Club, individuals must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have an interest in community service and leadership development
• Be independent in personal care and require minimal behaviour support OR attend with the additional support of a community aide or respite worker

You do not need to be a current Between Friends member to join Aktion Club.

MEETING DETAILS

Aktion Club typically meets one to two times a month to plan and take part in service projects and activities in the community. Projects may include working for local charities, holding donation drives, or assisting Between Friends and Kiwanis projects.

BENEFITS OF JOINING

 By joining Aktion Club, members will:

• Make a meaningful difference in their community

• Develop leadership and teamwork skills

• Gain hands-on volunteer experience

• Build confidence and independence

• Connect with peers who share a passion for helping others

HOW TO JOIN

Contact us at volunteers@betweenfriends.ab.ca for more information or to start the registration process.

OBJECTIVES OF AKTION CLUB

• To develop initiative and leadership.

• To provide experience in living and working together.

• To serve the community.

• To prepare for useful citizenship.

• To accept and promote the following Kiwanis ideals:
  • To give primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than the material values of life.
  • To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
  • To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards
  • To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
  • To provide a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render unselfish service, and to build better communities.
  • To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism, which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and good will.