Penticton & Area   Women’s Centre
#209 - 304 Martin Street, Penticton BC V2A 5K4
toll free • 1.866-493-6822 • phone (250) 493-6822 
fax (250) 493-6827 • www.pawc.ca • director@pawc.ca

Your Role as a volunteer supports our mission.

INFO PACKAGE

The Penticton & Area Women’s Centre (PAWC) is a registered non-profit, Community Social Service Organization whose objective is to increase awareness of women’s status and issues; to affect change by advocating on behalf of women and men; and to provide opportunities for information exchange, networking and mutual support.

We are first of all a resource centre for those seeking information about their community and offer information on a wide variety of topics.  We have a Poverty Law Advocate to assist with tenancy rights, employment assistance, CPP and EI advocacy and a Disability Advocate to assist with disability benefits.  We also have volunteer opportunities available with the Centre.

Our goal is to help create a community that values women and men equally, offers them support, and encourages them to live to their full potential.  To achieve this, we offer a number of different services.

Many people who come to us seeking information are in difficult situations. For those in crisis, the Centre offers a place to be welcomed and heard, and we ensure that such people receive information on where to turn for solutions.

PAWC takes a leadership role in our community by identifying gaps in services and offering solutions to meet those shortcomings. A number of new programs in Penticton have been initiated by the Women's Centre to meet specific needs as they arise.

The Women's Centre also works for long-term social change by educating the community about women's accomplishments and issues, and by raising awareness of the challenges women and their families can face.

• Support, referral and advocacy for the community of the South Okanagan Similkameen
•  Information and referral for food, housing, clothing, parenting, health & pregnancy, support groups and much more
• Poverty Law Advocacy for: Tenancy Rights, Employment Assistance (welfare), Disability Benefits, Canada Pension and Employment Insurance -Advocacy services include: assistance with filling out forms, information about rights & resources, representation to tribunals and hearings
• Community information bulletin board and brochures
• Access to fax, phone and internet
• Free-shelf with condoms and some toiletries
• Lending library
• Information, education and public awareness on women’s issues
• Prevention of violence against women & girls by attending, organizing and facilitating Annual Events such as : Take Back the Night (Sept), Women’s History Month (October), International Women’s Day (March), Prevention of Violence Against Women Week (April) and National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women (December 6th Vigil)
• Volunteer Opportunities such as: Board Members, Resource Centre, Office Support, Fundraising & Special Events
• Practicum Student’s are trained in advocacy and community education or reception
• We maintain an Informational Website at www.pawc.ca

All women and men in the South Okanagan and Similkameen area, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, economic circumstance or ability.  Services are confidential and at no cost.

To be a vibrant, sustainable and visible centre which embraces the diversity of all persons, by promoting social justice, equality and optimal potential.

The Penticton and Area Women’s Centre is committed to achieving social and cultural equality in the South Okanagan and Similkameen, through the alleviation of poverty, violence and discrimination and the promotion of cultural diversity.  The Women’s Centre attains this primary aim through four important initiatives: Education and Research; Community Leadership; Community Liaison; Advocacy, Support and Referral.

Volunteers are vital to the Penticton & area women’s centre and can be involved in many ways, from being members of the Board, to helping with the day-to-day running of the Centre, to working on special committees and events.  In return, volunteers receive training in areas of their choice, the ability to use and develop a variety of skills, and the opportunity to work with others who are interested in similar ideas, issues and concerns.

Volunteers are requested to become a member of the Women’s Centre. This will enable you to be active in future directions of the Centre by participating at our Annual General Meetings.  As well it ensures that you our covered by our insurance.  Membership is subject to approval by the Board of Directors.  Membership forms are at the end of the information package and fees can be as little as $5 or “in lieu” of volunteering.

Volunteer Opportunities

                                                                                                                       
Reception Volunteers ..... Enjoy working with the public?  Have a few free hours?   Making the transition back into work? The receptionist job
is a great opportunity to fine tune your skills or to learn new skills.                                                                                                                           

• 9-12 noon or 1-4 pm Mon, Tues, Weds or Thursdays
• primarily assist with the day-to-day operation of the Centre   
• answer telephone calls, take messages, direct calls
• greet clients, refer them to appropriate resources or assist during Drop-In times

Administration/Reception Volunteers ..... Looking for a little bit more of a challenge?  Computer literate and proficient in Word, Excel and Outlook?

• 9-12 noon or 1-4 pm Mon, Tues, Weds or Thursdays
• reception tasks as above
• open and update client files in electronic and paper form
• create letters, memos, graphs, charts and update electronic calendar and emails
• organize and file, distribute mail, order and maintain stationary

Advocacy Support Volunteers ..... Like to meet new people?  Looking for work that really makes a difference?  Have some sort of social justice qualifications?  Then this job may be for you.  Have 3 hours to spare?

• Drop-In hours are Monday - Thursday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
• greeting clients, listening and assessing clients issues
• documenting client information on In-Take form         

• determine supports & referrals for client through problem solving
• provide passive and active referrals
• mediate between client and services
• help client fill out basic forms
• update current client paper files
• help Poverty Law, Disability and Outreach Advocates with research & compiling information

Service Volunteers ..... Do you have some good ideas on women’s issues?  Do you enjoy organizing and facilitating?                                                                                                                               
We are always looking for people that have ideas for Workshops or Educational Sessions and could facilitate them.

Event Volunteers ..... Interested in women’s issues?  Enjoy helping with programs, workshops and events relating to women’s issues?  Looking for a short, onetime event?

Our annual women’s events are:

• International Women’s Day (March)
• Prevention of Violence Against Women Week (April)
• Take Back the Night (September)                        
• Women’s History Month (October)
• National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women (December 6th Vigil)

Fundraising  Volunteers ..... Enjoy working on a team?  Only have time for a short, onetime event?  Enjoy working with the public?
Then this would be ideal for you.

We have annual & fundraising events sponsored by our centre.    Some past events have been:                                                                  

• Annual Theatre Fundraiser: Mom’s The Word 1 & 2, Girl Talk, Vagina Monologues
• Fashion Shows
• Okanagan Lake Cruise
• Wine & cheese nite
• Garage Sales & Raffles

Board Member Volunteers ..... Do you like to work collaboratively?
Enjoy working on a team?  Would you be Interested in assisting with the governance of the organization,
determine the direction and effectiveness of the Women’s Centre?

One year commitment to sit on the board of the Centre and attendance of monthly board meetings is required.

Communications/Web Maintenance Volunteer ..... Do you know the basics of how to use Dreamweaver?  Have a few hours to spare?

We are looking for someone to help with maintenance of our website.  Do you have basic, minimal web skills, can write public announcements, invitations, press releases and know how to network on sites like Facebook?

PAWC Newsletter ..... Have a few hours to spare?  Like to organize?

We are looking for someone to organize and maintain a quarterly newsletter on women’s issues, upcoming Women’s Centred events, workshops, services we offer, our position in the community and local tidbits.  The information will all be written up by the staff and just needs to be
put into a newspaper format.

One of the most frustrating parts about a volunteer job for both the organization and the volunteer is reliability.  It is important when making a volunteer commitment, not to take on more responsibilities than you are able to handle. Our goal here at the Penticton & Area Women’s Centre is to find a happy balance between your responsibility as a volunteer and our staffing needs.

• Home and work responsibilities:  Do you have the time to spare? 

• Available Time:  No one expects you to commit all your time, but because we need to schedule our volunteers, we do need you to be responsible for the times you have signed up for.  

• Length of commitment:  Reception and Advocacy Support Volunteers assist with the day to day operation of the Centre.  Because of the training involved in these  positions, a longer commitment and consistency is required.  Due to coverage of these positions, we need to schedule on a daily/weekly/monthly basis with minimum 3 hr blocks.

• Parking:  Gables Parking Lot for $1per day or free along the roadside a few blocks away.
• Your personal ethics and values:  Are you able to remain objective?

• Build your confidence.
• Gain new skills.
• Receive initial training.
• Receive on-going training.
• Experience personal growth and fulfilment.
• Expand your contacts and access to information.
• Take advantage of the opportunity to work with other women and men, who are interested in similar ideas, issues and concerns.
• Increase your employability and demonstrate initiative with future employers.

After looking through the information package, if you are interested in volunteering with us, just come by and fill out an application form and return to the Women’s Centre. Or call our Centre Coordinator and she'll email you an application form. After receiving the application form a staff member will contact you to schedule an interview.  At that time the two of you will discuss your skills and areas of interest as they relate to the needs of the Women’s Centre. Together, you will decide what your volunteer commitment will be.

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