Whatever your ability to contribute in terms of time and effort, volunteering with IABC/Toronto can help you expand your professional network, gain valuable skills, and build your work experience!
Please note that you need to be a chapter member in order to volunteer with IABC/Toronto.
Step 1: Think about your goals and your circumstances
What are the goals you would like to achieve through your volunteering? Is it to increase your network? To gain experience? To showcase or acquire skills? To give back to the community?
All these are great reasons to volunteer! Be realistic about the time you can put aside to fulfil your volunteer assignment. This is all the more important if you are thinking of taking up a director-level role—a volunteer position that lasts for an entire board year and it directly links with some of the chapter’s key initiatives.
Step 2: Understand the various portfolios
The table below outlines what each of IABC/Toronto’s portfolios does, the kind of commitment it calls for, and the main programs and roles it is associated with. We suggest you shortlist three portfolios you would like to work with and keep that in mind as you move on to Step 3.
Step 3: Contact us or send in your application
Head over to the volunteer form and apply. If you have questions, you are welcome to contact the VP, Volunteer Services.
Remember: We will be offering more volunteer positions as the Board year progresses, so watch our social media channels and our bi-weekly e-Lert newsletter for announcements. Also keep in mind that many of the below-mentioned roles will progressively fill up as the Board year advances.
IABC/Toronto’s portfolios explained
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio looks after the recruitment, retainment, and recognition of all IABC/Toronto’s volunteers. It also operates the annual Mentorship Program. The portfolio is very member-facing and will present you with plentiful opportunities to expand your network.
Programs and events associated with this portfolio
- Meet the Board (September): An event open to members and non-members to meet the new Board, network, and learn about volunteer opportunities.
- Mentorship Program (October to April): A key chapter initiative that matches senior members with junior communicators.
- Mentor of the Year: An award that recognizes a mentor who has made a huge difference in the professional life of a mentee.
- Volunteer Recognition Event (June): An event to thank all our volunteers.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Volunteers: Help the VP recruit and manage the chapter's volunteers, and enrich their experience.
- Director, Mentorship Program (Strategy)
- Director, Mentorship Program (Implementation) Each director works with the VP to reimagine and implement the annual Mentorship Program, and manage the award-process for Mentor of the Year.
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio oversees IABC/Toronto’s online branding and presence. Work with the VP to develop and implement the chapter’s social media strategy. The portfolio also publishes Communicator, our bi-monthly digital magazine.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Social Media: The Director, Social Media helps manage IABC/Toronto’s social media presence. The Director’s responsibilities include creating a social media content and live-tweeting/ livestreaming the chapter’s events, including the OVATION Awards.
- Digital Analyst: Reporting to the portfolio VP, the Digital Analyst conducts a review of IABC/Toronto's digital assets, including the toronto.iabc.com website, social media accounts and Communicator e-magazine. Following their review, the Digital Analyst will produce a report with recommendations for the chapter to improve digital usability and accessibility.
- Editor-in-Chief of Communicator: If you enjoy and have experience developing and implementing editorial calendars, liaising with contributors, and managing editorial processes, this role may be ideal for you.
What is this portfolio about?
Membership is a strategic portfolio that actively attracts and engages our chapter’s members, ensuring they fully leverage the benefits of their membership and gathers their feedback. This portfolio works closely with two other portfolios: Communications & Digital Media and Students and New Communicators.
Programs associated with this portfolio
- IABC Member Month (typically runs every March and October)
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Membership: Support the VP to engage the chapter’s members, promote the benefits of membership and gather feedback.
What is this portfolio about?
The portfolio creates meaningful networking opportunities for members and non-members. Volunteering for this portfolio will present you with opportunities to manage and lead social events throughout the year, and build your own network in the process.
Programs and events associated with this portfolio
Four networking events have been planned for the 2018-19 board year:
- Halloween Networking event
- Holiday Networking event
- Valentine’s Networking event
- Spring Fling Networking event
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Netoworking:Working with the VP, plan and manage various networking events including event budgets, venue selection, promotion and marketing. Co-directors will have the opportunity to lead the planning of one event over the year.
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio supports the OVATION Awards, the chapter’s flagship event that recognizes the best communications talent in the GTA. Volunteer positions usually get listed here in October.
Events associated with this portfolio
The OVATION Awards Gala, held every May.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Events: Works with the VP to organize various elements of the Awards Gala.
- Director, Awards: Works with the VP to ensure delivery of the awards (i.e. trophies, certificates, plaques).
- Materials, Co-Director: The two co-directors work with the VP to produce key event materials that will tell a great story about the award winners. Using visuals and content from the winning submissions, you’ll produce material that not only shows who won the awards, but more importantly, what made their entry stand out. Other roles such as greeters, polling, networking, trophy presenters will also be available and shall be announced closer to the event date.
What is this portfolio about?
A chance to get creative as you help the VP conceptualize, organize and promote various professional development opportunities that help members advance their knowledge and skills.
Events associated with this portfolio
The portfolio organizes various initiatives throughout the year that focus on professional development for all communicators, members and non-members, from students to senior professionals.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Professional Development: Helping the VP to organize and manage professional development events as well as post analysis of events to apply to future events.
What is this portfolio about?
The portfolio has various volunteer positions that help oversee three key areas of the chapter’s activities:
- The OVATION Awards program, where you will help the VP recruit, recognize and guide senior communicators in their role as judges.
- Facilitate the Communicator of the Year award.
- In collaboration with IABC HQ, promote and deliver certification exams (CMP, SCMP) in the GTA.
Programs and events associated with this portfolio
- OVATION Awards program (May): The OVATION Awards are held annually, and recognize the best and brightest of communications talent in the GTA.
- Communicator of the Year: Work with the VP to facilitate the recognition of the GTA’s most effective communicator.
Key volunteer roles
Key roles will be announced soon.
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio creates and maintains critical partnerships for the effective working of the chapter’s programs and activities. If you enjoy identifying, soliciting and liaising with sponsor organizations, this portfolio may be ideal for you.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Advertising and CareerLine: Support the VP to attract advertisements across our channels, generate revenue through the sale of advertising in chapter publications (i.e.; CareerLine, e-Lert, Communicator e-magazine, etc.), and identify ways to attract businesses to post jobs on CareerLine.
- Director, Partnerships: Seek out potential sponsors and opportunities to partner with standing events/organizations; ensure IABC/Toronto sponsors are recognized appropriately; maintain documentation for all partnership and sponsorship programs.
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio focuses on serving the unique needs of members who are students and those new to the profession in the GTA.
Programs and events associated with this portfolio
- Student of the Year: Each year, IABC/Toronto recognizes a student member who exhibits leadership, passion, creativity and excellence in communications.
- Agency Fair: An event targeted at students and young professionals who wish to know how a PR agency works. An opportunity to meet agency insiders from diverse industries. Date and location TBD.
Key volunteer roles
- Director, Student and New Communicators
What is this portfolio about?
This portfolio focuses on creating opportunities for the professional development, networking and networking needs of specialized groups of communicators within IABC/Toronto. The portfolio runs the chapters Professional Independent Communicators (PIC) group, which holds regular evening events that alternate between seminars and socials. The portfolio may also hold networking events for niche communicators.
Events associated with this portfolio
- Various seminars and workshops.
Key volunteer roles
- Assisting with planning and executing professional development and networking events.
Download portfolio descriptions in PDF format
Congratulations to our past IABC/Toronto Volunteers of the Year:
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Kaitlyn MacMillan and Joanne Lawrence, 2017/2018
Hear From Our Volunteers
“Volunteering with IABC/Toronto is a great way to expand my skill set and try out different roles and activities that I might not have been exposed to yet in my career. Volunteering has also helped me to quickly expand my network and interact meaningfully with many of them. Volunteering is one of the best ways to get yourself known and to quickly grow your network of top communications professionals. I’m constantly amazed at the high calibre of people I’ve met through IABC in just a few months, and how willing they are to help fellow members.” — Steve Didunyk
“I volunteer with IABC/Toronto because it’s a great way to network, learn from my peers, and gain experience that could boost my resume. The benefits will vary for every volunteer, but I think most of us benefit from the networking and work-related experience – especially student and transitional members.” — Andie McHardy-Blaser