Volunteer Opportunities
Be part of the Kanata Nordic team
As a volunteer-run club Kanata Nordic’s success depends on member contributions and involvement. It is hoped that our members will commit to volunteer in some way through the season for a one-time or longer-running volunteer commitment. Volunteering can be very rewarding and often you get back more than you put in! You may gain:
- New or improved skills (skiing, fitness or otherwise)
- New social contacts
- Sense of community
There are volunteer opportunities are available to suit everyone’s time, schedule and skill set, with a range of volunteer opportunities throughout the year that can be done onsite or at home.
Fee-in-lieu of volunteer work: Those who feel that they cannot contribute time can pay a fee-in-lieu of volunteering: $120 for dual-parent family & couple memberships; $60 for single parent family & individual memberships. You can select this option at registration. **Parents of athletes in the Racing Program should not choose this option as the program need is too great.
What kind of volunteer tasks?
There are many volunteer opportunities that take a modest amount of time and require little to no experience. A very small sampling of some of the areas where help is needed:
- helping out at our Corkstown Classic Race
- helping organize Club Fun Run
- helping organize social events (Friday night Socials, End-of season appreciation day)
- trail maintenance (light-to-medium manual labour days outdoors),
- shovelling snow onto bare spots on trails (snow patrol)
- parking help (an hour at the start of ski lessons)
- clearing access points into Cabin
- helping set up lights for night skiing along the Upper trails
These are but a few areas where the club really depends on that saying of “many hands make light work” – the more helpers we have, the better it is for all!
Learn to Ski Programs – Volunteers needed!
Leader / Assistant for Learn to Ski Program – Jackrabbit Program
We have a great group of little skiers waiting to hit the trails and develop their skills on the snow. We are always in need of Leaders & Assistants to share their love of nordic skiing, passing on ski skills through games and structured activities. If you love to have fun on the snow this is a very gratifying and much-needed volunteer opportunity.
- Skills Needed: Skiing experience at various levels
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Time Commitment: Saturdays or Sundays from 1:30 to 3:30 (approx)
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Opportunities: We need leaders and helpers for our groups of Bunnyrabbit, Jackrabbit or Dyna Rabbit (new to skiing, older kids)
Leader / Assistant – Teen Skate Program
Assistant coach for the teen ski fit program. Sharing the instruction duties in teaching the skate ski technique.
- Skills Needed: Competence with Skate Skiing as well as ICC & CC certification levels
- Time Commitment: 2 on-snow sessions per week in the ski season and in the Fall, Sunday mornings
Adult Learn to Ski Programs
Kanata Nordic’s Adult Learn to Ski programs are always very popular and fill up fast. More volunteers offering to lead groups mean more Adults learning to ski. Sessions are 6 weeks in length, and can be offered to suit the Leader’s schedule…. if you offer it, they will come out!
The club would like to offer shorter, one-time sessions, called “Rust Removers” which are also great opportunities to share your knowledge, in a more concentrated time frame.
Interested in helping with our Learn to Ski Programs?
Facilities Opportunities
Facilities Set-Up
Time: About 2 hours maximum on a weekend morning in late November
Facilities Set-Up
Task: Moving chalet equipment from chalet to container at 411; moving deck box from cabin to container at 401
Time: About 2 hours maximum on a weekend morning in mid-April
Rental Equipment Setup
Time: About 2 hours maximum on a weekend morning in mid-April
Rabbit Safety Parking – 1st few weeks of ski lessons
Task: direct parking preceeding lessons at 411; needs 1 person
Time: about 30-40 minutes near start of each lesson; can be for season or for 1 or more sessions
Parking Ambassadors
Tasks: Ambassador to direct participant access to parking areas on Event days; Parking Ambassadors to direct Event attendees to spots to maximize spots and create an orderly flow.
Time: 2+ hours as needed
Ski & Snowshoe Rental Shop Attendants
- Role Type: Onsite
- Skills Needed: Basic knowledge of ski equipment and the difference between skate and classic techniques; familiarity with the Kanata Nordic trail network; basic administration skills (filling out forms, purchase transactions); previous retail experience is ideal.
- Task: Staffing the ski shop at 411 Corkstown Road (near the main cabin) for shifts of 2-4 hours; can be one time or several times; training provided; ideal for a student wanting community service hours, under the supervision of a senior volunteer.
- Commitment: can be as little as one time, or more frequently.
Communications
Grant Writing & Fundraising Lead or Support Person
- Time Commitment: A fundraising activity might only take a few hours. Helping with a grant would range from several hours to several days worth of effort, spread over weeks or months. The lead position for these activities would require a few hours each month over most of the year.
- Responsibilities:
- Research fundraising ideas, and/or lead the activity
- Research grants available to the club, with input from the Executive on what funding is required
- Manage the grant submission, including writing the application
- Engage other volunteers as required (a list will be provided)
Community Program Opportunities
Coordinator and On-snow Leaders and Assistants for All-ages Skiing and Snowshoe Sessions
Kanata Nordic’s Community program aims to lower the barrier to winter fitness for all by introducing snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to Ottawa residents who would not otherwise access these activities.
We know that outdoor activity levels are much lower in winter, and how important fresh air, exercise and community are for physical and mental well-being. For many, the initial cost of equipment and not knowing how to start are deterrents, particularly amongst newcomers to Canada and and lower income sectors.
In our first year (winter 2019) we hosted participants from Burundi, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Syria.
- Skills Needed: For the planner, general administrative skills to research and reach out to community groups who may benefit from this program. Training and guidance provided. On-snow volunteers should be confident skiers or snowshoers, comfortable helping with children and adults. Knowledge of the Kanata Nordic trails is helpful.
- Time Commitment: For the planner the commitment would be for several months, for an hour here and there, and onsite for the sessions. For the on-snow volunteers the commitment is for a single session, generally about 2 hours. The sessions could be weekday afternoons, early evenings or on the weekend. Dates are to be determined.
Photographer
- Skills Needed: Medium photography skills and a camera.
- Key Responsibilities: Take a range of photographs and share.
Additional volunteer opportunities will be shared throughout the season, including opportunities for high school students to gain Community Service hours with Kanata Nordic.
Or you may have an idea of a role you can fill that we have not thought of before. To find out more or pass on your ideas, please contact our Administrator at knskiclub@gmail.com .