Volunteer position: Kiosk Coordinator

Program Description:

The Civic Footprint program works like this: Just as we have all become aware of our need

to minimize our environmental footprint, both individually and collectively, the goal of the

Civic Footprint program is to maximize community impact by encouraging Canadians to take

a strategic, long term approach to giving, volunteering and participating.

The Civic Footprint Kiosk:

The goal of this kiosk is to be where people are in person and online, so we can promote our

Civic Footprint tools and talk strategically with individuals about what they are doing in the

community now and in the future. We are targeting professional development conferences &

civic engagement and non-profit events. There are three main components to the Civic

Engagement Kiosk.

1) Civic Footprint Tools: We demo our website and calculator to get the conversation

started and to show individuals a couple of the online tools that can get them involved and

help them stay involved in their community. This is done through our interactive HP

Touchsmart computers...extremely fun to use!

2) Social Media Tools: During each event we attend we use our social media tools,

specifically twitter, twitpic and our blog to promote our conversations and the event in real

time. Additionally, we are big fans of archiving our experiences through pictures and videos.

3) Partners: We are hoping to connect with local agencies and social enterprises to have

the opportunity to partner with them, through offering them space at the kiosk or handing

out their promotional materials and/or swag at the kiosk. Right now, we are closely

connected with Canada Helps - we currently hand out their gift certificates, where attendees

can redeem them at our kiosk to the charity of their choice. This kiosk is a fantastic

opportunity to talk about what other partnering organizations are doing in the community as

well.

Volunteer Position Description:

We are looking for a volunteer(s) to:

• Effectively coordinate and deploy our Civic Footprint Kiosk at events across the GTA,

and moving forward, help us expand/improve upon this program, and connect with

new organizations/events, etc...

Volunteer Qualities:

• Outgoing, Energetic, and Enthusiastic. This is important as we will be responsible for

drawing people to the kiosk and ensuring their experience is fun,interactive and

informative.

• The volunteer should be well-versed in the volunteer sector, so they can easily chat

with individuals about their civic engagement strategy.

• The volunteer needs to be able to work independently and really take the lead on

this project. It's an ongoing volunteer opportunity and the hours will vary with the

events attended. Additionally it would be great if the volunteer could help us

connect to new events, organizations etc..

Time Commitment:

• Ongoing

• Hours vary with events

• Tentative events are held during the week and weekend (i.e. Green Living Show)

Contact:

(416) 597-2293 x 232 

Last year (2008) was my first year at Timeraiser. I was so interested in the concept that I bid on a piece of art and spoke to different agencies that I could volunteer with. 

Fortunately, I had the winning bid on ‘I am a Canadian Smoker’ and quickly found myself on track towards completing 100 volunteer hours!   

Orientation came first. This was held at the Framework Foundation office. I met other winning bidders and we learned the ‘ins and outs’ of how to find volunteer placements.  

Personally, I wanted to spread my hours across a number of agencies. I spent time at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Volunteer Toronto, United Way and Gilda’s Club. I was a sports group facilitator, physiotherapist’s assistant, camp counsellor, and more! Each was a unique experience.

At the 2009 Timeraiser in March, I received my piece of art and got to tell my story to new participants. Now my reminder of each of those experiences is hanging on my wall at home.

In retrospect, I didn’t quite know the journey I was embarking on, but I’m glad I jumped right in and had a blast doing it. I’ve met many new friends thanks to Timeraiser and Framework Foundation. 

See pictures from Timeraiser 2009.

On March 21, 2009 I was introduced into a whole new world: Timeraiser. Instead of raising money, it was an event to raise time. And did it ever do a great job!!!

The concept was pretty neat: A number of artists are paid by corporate donors to produce a work of art. The pieces are displayed at the head offices of these companies for the year until Timeraiser--when the art is auctioned off to throngs of willing bidders who bid with their watches as opposed to their wallets. 

I was struck by how well attended the event was. There were SO MANY people there who were into art, philanthropy, and good times. The artwork was an incredible mix of paint, sculpture, mixed media, and photography. Some of it made me smile, some of it make me think, and some of it made me go "huh?!?"—a fine arts major I was not! 

After madly bidding on a number of different pieces, I won Pete Doherty's "Mark Dummet, the Docks, Toronto 2005". It is an amazing piece—it is almost alive. I have already set out to start working off my 125-hour bid for volunteer hours. The Framework Foundation has given me and other winners all the tools we need to succeed in making it to our goals. 

I can't wait to pick up my artwork next year!

United Way Toronto and GenNext often work with the Framework Foundation, and are happy to be a community partner in Framework’s Timeraiser event (coming up on March 21^st!) We’re also happy to announce the launch of Framework’s new website, www.civicfootprint.ca 

What is Civic Footprint? Your civic footprint is the combination of your contributions of time and money to causes that are important to you. The earlier you start, the bigger your civic footprint can become; the bigger the footprint, the bigger the impact. 

Launch Party Details: Thursday, March 5^th, 20096:00 pm. to 9:00 pm
381 Queen Street West, Red Bull Gallery  To help launch the Civic Footprint program, Framework has entered into an exciting collaboration with Red Bull Canada.  Red Bull's Toronto office also doubles as a gallery spacecalled Red Bull 381 Projects.  For the month of March, Framework Foundation and Red Bull 381 Projects have teamed up: The gallery space will be transformed into a public space for socially like-minded organizations & individuals who are passionate about art, design, and public engagement. During this time, Torontonians can:  

• Preview the artwork from the 2009 Toronto Timeraiser
• Meet and collaborate with other civic-minded individuals
• Learn about different organizations and the issues they are helping to address

 Thursday, March 5^th is the kick off to this month-long celebration. It will officially launch the Civic Footprint program, and over 100 community and business leaders will be in attendance.  Please visit the launch site for more details and to RSVP 

 Gallery Hours: If you can't make the launch, Red Bull 381 Projects is open to the public Wednesday to Saturday from noon until 6:00 pm.