• Community
• Get Involved in My Community
• Volunteer

What are my rights and responsibilities as a volunteer?

It is important for you to know what you are committing to when you volunteer.

Ask the volunteer centre or organization you are working for what they expect from you and what they can offer you.

Rights

As a volunteer, you have the right to:

• Learn about the organization.
• Get training for your position.
• Have regular evaluations of your performance.
• Get guidance and direction.
• Be heard and recognized.
• Be reimbursed for all work-related expenses.

Responsibilities

As a volunteer, you have the responsibility to:

• Do your duties promptly and reliably.
• Accept the guidance and decisions of the volunteer coordinator.
• Be willing to learn and participate in orientation, training programs, and meetings.
• Understand the role of the paid staff, maintain a smooth working relationship with them and stay within the bounds of volunteer responsibility.
• Keep internal information about the organization confidential.

For More Information

• Volunteering For New Canadians - This fact sheet encourages new Canadians to embrace the many volunteer opportunities available to them in their communities. Available in English or French.
• Ontario Volunteer Centres - A search engine for finding volunteer opportunities in the non-profit and charity sector.
• Charity Village Volunteer Listings - A search engine for finding volunteer opportunities in the non-profit and charity sector.
• Police Background Check - You may be asked to provide a letter from your local police to show you have a clear criminal record. You can contact your municipality for more information.