Volunteering

Giving Time, Creating Impact: Volunteer Spirit.

Volunteer Today

Together we can build community connections and help people gain the skills they need for success.

CALPs

Community Adult Learning Programs

Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre is a Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) partner. There are over 90 CALPs in the province which provide foundational support to their community members. CALPs are non-profit and rely on the power of volunteers to support foundational learning and guide people in gaining the skills they need for work and life. In addition, we are guided by a volunteer governance board of directors. We value diversity across our organization and encourage you to consider volunteering.

We have active volunteers throughout the area we serve. This includes the communities of Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis, and Mini Thni.

Some of what our volunteers that work with our learners do:

One-on-one coaching with pre-benchmark English language learners
Lead English conversation groups
Lead reading clubs
Assist learners with questions or minimal technical support as they work through online digital skills learning

Some of what our volunteer board of directors does:

Commit to a two year term
Meet twice monthly September through June (one committee meeting/one board meeting)
Actively participate in board and committee meetings
Create/update policy documents in accordance with our funder(s). These include policies for human resources, privacy, and financial oversight.
Actively promote what Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre does to the broader community
Actively participate in strategic planning
Attend team and learner celebrations!

What our Volunteers say

Volunteering at the Bow Valley Adult Learning Centre is a rewarding and fulfilling experience. Here’s what our volunteers have to say about it;

Hello, my name is Monica, I’m originally from Mexico but now I’m a Canadian citizen. I have been volunteering for the BVALC since a little bit before COVID.

Throughout all this years I have met people from different countries and I have been witness of how their career path has grown as they started with conversation classes at BVALC.

This has been an amazing experience for me, why? Because this is a great way to meet new people and to learn about other cultures, but the main thing is to share a little bit of your knowledge to others. It is very gratifying to see how they grow and how they build confidence every class.

BVALC is a great place to volunteer !

- Monica

Volunteering gives me a one-hour break from my work and routine, offering a chance to connect with Bow Valley locals. It’s wonderful to feel that I am contributing positively to the community I call home.

- Slam

I always feel happy and enriched after each Conversation Class. People come to Banff with diverse backgrounds and stories; everyone in the class has something interesting to share. It is a privilege to listen, encourage, laugh together and nudge my students along as they work to practise and improve their English-speaking skills. It is a truly wonderful place to volunteer!

- Nancy

I love volunteering with the ESL conversation class because I meet very interesting people from all over the world and learn a lot about their lives, culture and countries, Every week, I come away from our time together feeling inspired and uplifted. It is a real privilege to be part of the Bow Valley Learning Centre because it is a very caring and supportive community that empowers people to enhance, and move forward in their lives.