VOLUNTEERING AT AIWC
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Make YOUR wildest dreams come true - help AIWC return injured wildlife to the wild!
AIWC depends on an army of dedicated volunteers. With ever-increasing demand and only three year-round full-time staff people wearing several hats, extra hands, minds and hearts are always needed. The experience of working up-close and hands-on with wildlife is the reward most of our volunteers seek - an opportunity and privilege that is second to none!
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However, there is much more that is needed for a rehabilitation facility like AIWC to perform the outstanding service it does. For 2008 AIWC is still in need of Construction & Landscape Volunteers, Office Volunteers, Fundraising Volunteers, and new members for our Board of Directors. For 2009 AIWC is in need of Wildlife Rehabilitation Assistants, Rescue Drivers, Fundraising Volunteers, Office Volunteers and Construction & Landscape Volunteers. A complete description of the available volunteer positions is listed on the volunteer positions page or click this link.
Feeding a baby beaver
Volunteering at the wildlife center is unforgettable and there is rarely a dull moment. Even mundane tasks such as floor-mopping are enjoyable when surrounded by such magnificent creatures as a golden eagle, great-horned owlets, mountain bluebirds, chirping baby robins, a common loon, a young beaver playing with sticks or a trio of playful juvenile red squirrels. When it comes to keeping these animals clean and fed and looking after their medical needs, many hands make lighter work, and we encourage you to consider joining our team of around 100 volunteers.
WHAT TO DO IF VOLUNTEERING WITH AIWC INTERESTS YOU
1.Sadly, our annual winter/spring volunteer recruitment campaign for 2008 has passed. However, for 2009 the potential volunteers whose timing coincides with our annual volunteer recruitment campaign will be asked to indicate their interest to the volunteer coordinator to receive an invitation to attend one of our annual Volunteer Orientation sessions which will be held in the early months of 2009. Note: these dates are yet to be determined.
E-mail the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@aiwc.ca with your full name, mailing address, e-mail address and a phone number. If you do not have e-mail access, please call the wildlife centre at 403-946-2361 and speak with a staff member.
Note that all volunteers must be at least 16 years of age, and have a valid Alberta driver's licence and vehicle access.
2.You will be mailed an invitation in late 2008, to attend an orientation session at AIWC's wildlife centre on in 2009 (dates yet to be determined. The evening session consists of a slide presentation on the work AIWC does, and a discussion of the requirements and expectations for each volunteer position. Application forms are distributed at the orientation session.
3.After attending orientation, if you are still interested in joining AIWC's volunteer corps, you are asked to fill in an application form and arrange an interview by calling the wildlife centre at
403-946-2361. An informal interview will be scheduled with one or more AIWC staff members or senior volunteers and you will receive a tour of AIWC's wildlife hospital. All applicants will be screened and subject to a selection process.
4.If selected, you will receive a volunteer manual (there is an administrative fee for the manual and course materials) and enroll in the appropriate short training course for your position (for instance wildlife rehabilitation volunteers must learn how to properly restrain a variety of species from large birds of prey and mammals to tiny infant songbirds).
5.New volunteers begin volunteering in April and typically start by doing 2-4 buddy shifts where the new volunteer works in tandem with a senior volunteer.
