Volunteer Opportunities

The Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Spondylitis Association is always looking for Volunteers to get involved!  In addition to special programs, we also have ongoing needs to help with the organization, planning, and delivery of programs and services.

Special Programs

As new opportunities are presented, the Alberta Chapter will post news articles as well as contact Members who have checked off the Volunteer boxes during Registration or by changing the options in "My Details" to indicate their areas of interest.  These opportunities may include:

• Forming a Team for the Arthritis Society's Jingle Bell Run fund raiser
• Speaking at schools, professional organizations, or other charitable organizations, to raise public awareness
• Becoming a Peer Mentor, sharing your experiences, knowledge, and advice with newly diagnosed Spondylitis Survivors
• Speaking with members of the media, sharing your story
• Sharing your expertise in your chosen profession, perhaps assisting Survivors with their AISH or CPP Pension Appeals, supplying printed Support Group Meeting posters, or other skills that may be of benefit to our community
• Other opportunities as they are presented

If you are interested or able to help, please send an emal to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or check the areas you are interested in helping out with in the "Your Details" section of this website.

Ongoing Needs

As we grow to help accomadate Alberta Spondylitis Survivor's needs, we need Volunteers to help plan, organize, and deliver programs and services.  Our current needs are:

Chapter Secretary

The Chapter Secretary will be responsible for taking and keeping notes of Chapter Executive and General Meetings, helping to ensure newsletter distribution is delivered, and participating in decision making.

Chair, Support and Peer Mentoring

The Chair, Support and Peer Mentoring, will be responsible for coordinating Provincial Support Groups and the Peer Mentoring Program.  This will include working with Support Group Leaders, and assisting them as needed, bringing issues to the attention of the Chapter Executive.  The Chapter Executive will provide as much support as possible to ensure that these programs are delivered to the Survivor Community.  The President will work with this Chair to further define and deliver these programs - there is ample opportunity for the Chair to make a mark on the community while forming these programs.  The Chair will also participate in Executive and General Meetings, as well as participating in decision making processes.

Chair, Advocacy

The Advocacy Chair will be repsonsible for liasisng with other patient groups, updating the Chapter on the progress of government and societal issues be they successess or issues of concern.  The Advocacy chair will also help develop letter writing campaigns at the Provincial level, and rally the troops for national issues when required as well.  The President will work with this Chair to further define and deliver this program - there is ample opportunity for the Chair to make a mark on the community while forming these programs.

Chair, Public Awareness and Fund Raising

The Public Awareness and Fundraising Chair will be responsible for helping deliver programs aimed at increasing Public Awareness, from educational displays and presentations, to delivering press releases and arranging for media coverage.  As the CSA is funded by unconditional grants, the Chair wll also be responsible for helping the Executive select fund raising events for The Arthritis Society or other causes directly related to the Spondylitis community. The President will work with this Chair to further define and deliver this program - there is ample opportunity for the Chair to make a mark on the community while forming these programs.

Support Group Leaders

Support Group Leaders are needed to schedule and chair meetings, book speakers where possible, spread the word about meetings to the public, and help facilitate Member registration in their areas. The intention is have Support Group Meetings in areas of the province where Volunteers are willing to take on this responsibility, as well as online support chats and conferences for those Survivors in remote communities.  Eventually, we'd like to see Support Group Meetings held in Edmonton (current), Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Ft. McMurray, Lloydminister, Drumheller, and other communities.

Why Volunteer?

There are many reasons why someone decides to make time to volunteer. The catalysts can be personal, professional, community or society driven. Motivation trends change and evolve over time.

It is important for individuals, non-profit organizations and volunteer centres to understand what motivates volunteers because this affects the success of the future mutual experience. Motivations determine how, why, when and where volunteers are most fulfilled, and are therefore most effective in their chosen voluntary positions. A positive volunteer experience in turn leads to the success of community services and programs.

Individuals (and groups) volunteer to:

* Experience personal growth, learning and satisfaction
* Pursue professional growth and development
* Create employment skills
* Expand his/her professional network
* Enjoy social interaction / meet new people
* Master a new language
* Learn about a new society, country or community
* Fulfill a sense of empathy / connection with a "cause"
* Be a part of positive change in their community
* Have fun
* Build personal empowerment and self-esteem
* Instill a value of giving and caring
* Complete education or work experience requirements