Volunteer Information

General Volunteer Program Policy

Museum of Ontario Archaeology Educational Programs

General Volunteer Program Policy - Introduction

The intent of this policy is to provide guidelines for the operation of the Museum's volunteer program. The policy establishes standards governing the program: the selection of volunteers, the kind of work assigned to volunteers, the quality of work expected and the responsibilities and rights of volunteers, as well as the responsibilities of the Museum administration and staff involved in the volunteer program.

Goals of the Volunteer Program

The Volunteer: Definition and Role

A volunteer is an individual registered with the Volunteer Department who freely chooses to work for the Museum on a part-time basis without financial renumeration. The work is as varied as the Museum itself and can include such functions as presenting educational programs, lab assistance, display renovations, research, clerical work, grounds maintenance and fundraising. A volunteer is reflective of their community and is vital to the Museum for their diverse points of view.

The Museum, due to restraints in the number of full time employees, must rely on volunteers to complete many important duties. For this reason, the staff has created an area in the computer room dedicated to our volunteers. This area can be used to locate possible duties, fill in volunteered hours, check feedback from tours, review the minutes from meetings and communicate with other volunteers and staff. This area will be maintained by the Volunteer Committee and will be used as an interactive tool uniting the various sectors within the Museum.

Volunteer Selection and Dismissal

The Museum encourages diverse cultural and educational backgrounds in volunteers and offers various kinds of training and placement. Applicants for a volunteer position who are able to carry out the work required, will not be denied selection on the basis of nationality, race, creed, age, sex or physical disability. References may be required. Applicants under the age of sixteen will be required to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian.

The Volunteer Department may dismiss volunteers who are unable to carry out assigned duties or who do not act in the best interest of the Museum after consultation with the staff supervisor and department head.

Volunteer Placement in Museum Programs

Prior to placement in any Museum program, volunteers will be interviewed and registered by the Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Volunteer Co-ordinator may request volunteers to work on a probationary basis for a specified period of time.

Upon approval, a volunteer must observe at least one educational tour completed by a trained guide, as well as a workshop overview, and two other programs. The education programs are the Museum's primary concern as they generate revenue for the Museum. For this reason we request that all volunteers be familiar with the programs although everyone will not be required to complete one. There are a limited number of placements in the lab on a voluntary basis. Thus, anyone who is an active volunteer will have the opportunity, if so desired, to learn to clean, catalogue and excavate artifacts in alteration. This however, must be supervised by a trained archaeologist.

Responsibilities of the Volunteer Committee

Responsibilities of Volunteers

The Staff/Volunteer Relationship

A successful volunteer program relies on the existence of a supportive working relationship between the volunteers and the Museum staff. Staff working with or supervising volunteers will receive them as colleagues and provide appropriate training and encouragement. Staff is expected to make the best possible use of the skills, interests and prior experience of the volunteers under their direction and strive to provide for them challenging opportunities for their further acquisition of relevant skills and experience.

Volunteers will accept staff guidance and direction and exert themselves to learn and acquire new information and skills from the staff. Volunteers will make a responsible commitment to their work and carry out their duties as efficiently and independently as possible.

Volunteer Benefits

The opportunity for training, education and service to the community are the chief benefits offered by the Museum's volunteer program. In addition, the Museum provides the following benefits:

Museum of Ontario Archaeology Educational Programs

An important role of the Museum of Ontario Archaeology is to educate. This goal is achieved through a variety of interpretative and educational programmes designed to reach as wide an audience as possible.

Interpretative and educational programmes produced by the Museum of Ontario Archaeology shall be related to the collections of the Museum and the objectives contained in its statement of purpose.

The objectives of the interpretation and education programmes are to:


Download Volunteer Application Form here.