Volunteer Opportunities

At this time we are looking for Volunteers in the following capacities:

Costume Sewers

Costume Assistants will sew identified pieces of clothing or textile materials necessary for the interpretive costume program. Costumes are selected and constructed to replicate authentic historical fashions. Historic costumes are an integral component of the interpretive program for both museums.

Education Program Assistant

The educational program assistant will assist the Community and Education Co-ordinator in providing the curriculum portion to local school and youth groups for both Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site or Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Heritage Gardener Assistant

Assist our Heritage Gardener with planting and maintaining the Victorian flower (and vegetable- if implemented) gardens at Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site. These gardens create an authentic environment for the interpretation and display of Billy’s Home.

Workshop Leaders and/or Speakers

Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum are looking for volunteers who have a skill to share and would like to lead a workshop or speak on specific topics.

Museum Docent (Tourist guide)

Museum docents will provide interpretive services to Museum visitors, school groups and/or educational tours for adult groups by sharing information and stories about the exhibits and displays at the museums. During Victorian Christmas (November & December) we require museum docents to do a five minute vignette as a maid to school groups and tours.

Gift Shop Coordinator

The Gift Shop Inventory Coordinator is responsible to assist the Office Co-ordinator in managing all aspects of the Gift shop inventory for Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Building & Maintenance Helpers

The Building and Maintenance helpers are to assist museum staff with carpentry and maintenance work as required at the Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Membership Assistant

The Membership Assistant is responsible to assist the Office Coordinator in managing all aspects of Museum Memberships for Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum including data entry and mailing.

Museum Receptionists

The Reception volunteer position is responsible to assist the Museum Staff with reception tasks and in managing all aspects of the Visitor Experience for Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Special Events Assistant

Special events volunteers facilitate Owen Sound Museums’ special events and activities, both on- and off-site. They would assist the Special Events Coordinator in specific duties at a special event for both Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site or Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Victorian Christmas Decorating Assistant

To assist in decorating the Billy Bishop Home and Museum – A National Historic Site in Victorian style decorations for Christmas in November and taking them down in January.

Special Event Committee Members

Special Event Committee Members are to assist the Special Event Coordinator in planning and implementing a special event for Owen Sound Museums. There are a variety of special events Owen Sound Museums partake in. They are “Fire and Ice” (March 23, 2012 event), Trivia Night (October 25, 2012) and one or two small events.

Statistical Assistant

The Statistical Assistant is responsible to assist the Office Coordinator in managing all aspects of the Admission and Gift shop stats for Billy Bishop Home and Museum – a National Historic Site and Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum. (FILLED)

Collection Registrar Assistant

The Collection Register Assistant will assist the Curator of Collection in maintaining the collection, data information and research for both Billy Bishop Home and Museum – a National Historic Site or Owen Sound Marine & Rail Museum.

Community and Education Volunteers

School Programs

Time commitment

  • Sporadic, about 2 hours per program plus an hour or so before hand to refresh yourself on the program and exhibits
  • Busiest times are November-December and April-June

Tasks

  • Lead tours for half the class while the rest are participating in the curriculum portion
  • Lead curriculum portion of education programs. Popular topics include principles of flight, principles of buoyancy, Victorian Christmas and why we remember veterans.

Other Programs

Summer programs/bookings

  • Assist summer staff with bookings from day camps and day cares in the summer (tours and activities at either museum)

Regular Jobs

  • Compile mailings to schools in the spring and fall
  • Compile mailings to speciality groups about events (ex packages to day cares and day camps regarding our summer activities; flyers to rail contacts about April lectures)
  • Delivering summer activities flyer to Owen Sound schools in June
  • Delivering flyers for events/ workshops/ lectures
  • Set upand clean up from Victorian tea parties