• Volunteer Role - Support Group Co-Facilitator
  Support Group Co-Facilitators are trained Volunteers who share the responsibilities of the bi-monthly Bereavement Support Group meetings. These meetings are held during the evening in several Ontario communities. Most facilitators are bereaved parents and all are encouraged to attend a grief seminar some time during their first year with PBSO
  
  
• Volunteer Role - 1-to-1 Support Parent
  1-to1 Support Parents are trained Volunteer bereaved parents who are matched (whenever possible) with bereaved parents who have had similar loss experiences. The Support Parent makes contact usually by telephone or e-mail and on a regular basis. Support continues for as long as the bereaved parent needs it. All 1-To-1 Support Parents are encouraged to attend a grief seminar some time during their first year with PBSO.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Parent Panel Participant
  PBSO offers one and two-day professional training seminars to health care workers, clergy and funeral directors. Included in these seminars are Parent Panels, where Parent Panel Volunteers are asked to share their babies’ stories with the audience and be available to answer questions up to their individual comfort level.

• Volunteer Role - Annual Bowl- a-Thon Committee Member
  Enthusiastic Volunteer Committee Members are always needed to help organize and plan the many details around the Annual Bowl-a-Thon fundraising event. Some of the jobs include arranging prize donations, lane sponsorships from local businesses, advertising and bowler registration for the event. Volunteers receive guidance by the Chair of previous year’s Committee.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Annual Picnic Committee Member
  Motivated Volunteer Committee Members are always required to help with planning this popular family event. Meetings are usually held once a month from January to June. Volunteer duties include: advertising, generation of prize and financial donations, planning of activities, arranging refreshments and recruitment of Volunteers to assist on the day of the picnic. Volunteers receive guidance by Chair of previous year’s committee.
  
  
• Volunteer Role – Creative Supplier
  Talented and creative Volunteers are needed periodically to produce creative supplies that are need by both bereaved parents and local funeral homes. The Volunteer role involves knitting of hats, blankets and booties in very small sizes, and sewing of small gowns to be used by hospitals for tiny babies. PBSO also requires snowflakes and other crochet decorations for use as keepsake items at the Candle Lighting Memorials.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - B.B.Q. Fundraising Team Member
  For Volunteers who enjoy barbequing, there are opportunities to help do local fundraising at charity BBQs, sponsored by major supermarkets. The BBQs usually operate on the weekends through the months of May to September. The supermarket provides the BBQs and food, while PBSO Volunteers are the cooks and handle the cash. Volunteer time commitment is approximately 4 hours per BBQ.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Bingo Team Member
  Energetic Volunteers are needed as "bingo runners" at charity Bingo events. They are held at various times at specific Bingo Halls. Volunteer time commitment is approximately 4-5 hours per session.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Board of Directors Member
  Opportunities are available for hard-working Volunteers who are interested in sitting on PBSO’s developing Board of Directors. The current Board is a "working" board and is still developing. Volunteer commitment includes attendance at Board meetings every second month plus additional planning work in between meetings. Previous Board experience is preferred, but is not essential.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Office Support Worker
  Volunteers are needed one morning per week at our Markham, Ontario home office to assist with various clerical duties. Hours of work are flexible.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Mail-out Team Member
  Volunteers are needed to help put together the various mail-outs that PBSO has throughout the year. Volunteer commitment can be long or short term and work can often be picked up from the Markham home office and completed from your own home.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Newsletter Team Member
  PBSO’s Newsletter Team writes and produces 4 newsletter issues per year. Called "The Next Step", this informative publication is circulated to over 800 parents, Volunteers, donors and professionals. Volunteers who join this team must have the excellent writing skills and computer publishing knowledge needed to design and edit a newsletter.
  
  
• Volunteer Role - Special Events Assistant
  Periodically Volunteers are needed to help at various PBSO fundraising, memorial and social events. Volunteer time commitments and duties will vary depending upon the particular event.

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (Revenue Canada) recognizes the important role of Volunteer commitment in charitable organizations and requires reporting of hours by all Volunteers as an essential part in maintaining the organization’s charitable status. All PBSO Volunteers must be willing to keep accurate records of their time and to send this information in to the Volunteer Coordinator on a monthly basis.

Volunteers should record all activities they have participated in that are the result of volunteering for PBSO. Other than the obvious parent support and committee or team work, this also includes travel time, preparation time, reading time and time spent talking with other PBSO Volunteers, staff and the community at large.

>> Download "Procedure for Completing Record" document.
>> Download "Record of Volunteer Hours" document.