Volunteer and Employment Opportunities
The Avon River Heritage Society is always looking for volunteers to help with various aspects of the museum.
Each summer we hire a number of students to aid in the daily operations of the facility.
We are actively looking for volunteers with different interests and skill sets to contribute to our ongoing projects, for example experience in public relations, marketing, sponsorship, construction and fundraising - these are all areas where we could use extra help.
We are also looking for several casual volunteers to lend a hand in the café or gift shop during busy events like the Great Little Art Show, the Solstice Market, Wharf Day and the Honey Harvest Festival, and for those to act as guides and interpreters in the museum, especially during the shoulder seasons (May, June, October & November).
If you have a skill, knowledge or experience you'd like to share and are interested in giving back to your community, we'd love to hear from you!
Scroll down to the bottom for more information on volunteer team roles.
Each summer we hire a number of students to aid in the daily operations of the facility.
We are actively looking for volunteers with different interests and skill sets to contribute to our ongoing projects, for example experience in public relations, marketing, sponsorship, construction and fundraising - these are all areas where we could use extra help.
We are also looking for several casual volunteers to lend a hand in the café or gift shop during busy events like the Great Little Art Show, the Solstice Market, Wharf Day and the Honey Harvest Festival, and for those to act as guides and interpreters in the museum, especially during the shoulder seasons (May, June, October & November).
If you have a skill, knowledge or experience you'd like to share and are interested in giving back to your community, we'd love to hear from you!
Scroll down to the bottom for more information on volunteer team roles.
Our vision is for a sustainable and just community built from understanding cultural and historical interactions among people, river and land, and working through partnerships and collaboration in our community.
General Statement of Activities: The Avon River Heritage Society (ARHS) runs a permanent museum situated in Avondale/Newport Landing on the scenic shores of the Avon River on the site where Planter sloops, The Lydia and The Sally, landed in 1760.
The Museum operates an exhibit area, Café, an Art Gallery, Gift Shop, a Genealogical/Reference Library and the Avon Spirit Shipyard, a popular venue for festivals and events.
Hours of Operation: May & June, Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. July & August, Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. September & October, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5:00 pm.
Working in partnership with community, supporters, and other museums the mandate of the ARHS is to:
Our mission is to engage and inspire our community and beyond through preserving, sharing, and celebrating Avon River area stories, heritage, arts, culture, ecology and interrelationships among all peoples of this area and their environment.
General Statement of Activities: The Avon River Heritage Society (ARHS) runs a permanent museum situated in Avondale/Newport Landing on the scenic shores of the Avon River on the site where Planter sloops, The Lydia and The Sally, landed in 1760.
The Museum operates an exhibit area, Café, an Art Gallery, Gift Shop, a Genealogical/Reference Library and the Avon Spirit Shipyard, a popular venue for festivals and events.
Hours of Operation: May & June, Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. July & August, Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. September & October, Saturday & Sunday, 10 am to 5:00 pm.
Working in partnership with community, supporters, and other museums the mandate of the ARHS is to:
- preserve and promote the history of people of the Avon River area (Mi’kmaq, Acadian, New England Planter, African Nova Scotian, etc.)
- preserve and promote the history of wooden boat and ship-building in the area
- sustain a vital gathering place for community residents and visitors to explore history and take part in art and cultural activities
- make known the links between local ecology and cultural heritage
- host demonstrations by artisans who work in historical and contemporary trades, crafts, and art forms
- provide a centre of research
Our mission is to engage and inspire our community and beyond through preserving, sharing, and celebrating Avon River area stories, heritage, arts, culture, ecology and interrelationships among all peoples of this area and their environment.
Responsibilities of Team Members
Each team will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. Each team has a chair and as many members as required. The chair is a member of the Board of Directors (BOD). The team reports to and is responsible to the BOD. Each team adheres to museum policy including the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006). When needed, the teams will make recommendations to BOD policy and museum operating practices as they affect their team's Terms of Reference and duties. Term of office for team members will be one year, with the opportunity to renew at each Annual General Meeting. All volunteers working with youth require a criminal records check, first aid is also an asset.
Responsibilities of Team Chair
The team chair is accountable to the Board of Directors. They are chosen based on qualifications (interest in topic) and experience. The term of the position will be reviewed annually. Chair responsibilities and basic tasks include:
- schedule dates, times and location for meetings
- ensure meeting are held in accordance with the ARHS by-laws
- establish and confirm an agenda for each meeting
- officiate and conduct meetings
- ensure committee complies with its responsibilities
- ensure that discussion on agenda items is on topic and productive
- ensure minutes are accurate, retained, and reviewed at the next meeting
Volunteer Led Team's Responsibilities
Events and Programming Team Responsibilities:
Under the direction of the Facility Manager, this team is responsible for the planning and execution of special events and museum programming like the Great Little Art Show, Open Studio, Sofa Sundays, the Solstice Market, the Honey Harvest Festival, Wharf Days, workshops and pop-up events. Related tasks include set-up and clean-up before and after events and programming, promotion (in print and online), recruitment of participants for events and programming, and the development of new programming and fundraising activities that benefit the community.
Collections and Exhibits Team Responsibilities:
This team is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, care, and use of the museum’s collection and overseeing planning and creation of exhibits. In carrying out its work, the Collections Team will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum Collection Management Policy, Exhibitions Policy, and adhere to the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006). The team shall develop, design, build and organize new or reworked Museum displays. Responsible for the planning and the layout of the Museum. Responsible to ensure that when designing, organizing and building displays, the visitors’ ability to correctly and easily interpret the theme and message of the display remains paramount. The team is encouraged to develop interesting permanent and temporary displays with the innovative use of materials, colour, clear signage and interpretive information and where appropriate, to incorporate the use of sound, smell and interactive devices. Visitors of all reasonable ages should be able to follow, enjoy and understand the information being presented. Safety of the visitors and displays must be built into the displays’ design and construction. This team shall provide pertinent information to assist in maintaining the ARHS website.
Facilities Maintenance Team Responsibilities:
This committee will ensure that the physical facilities are in safe and secure working order. They will be responsible for carrying out an annual inspection of the property using the ARHS Inspection Checklist. It is responsible for inspection of all facilities and arranging for all maintenance, repair, appearance, cleanliness and preservation of the Museum complex and its grounds. Responsible for all necessary preparations for winter, for the first-aid kits, first-aid fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire marshal inspections, building and facilities’ security, wheelchair accessibility to the ground floor, landscaping, gardens and parking lots. The team shall determine where road signs are needed, have them produced, put in place and maintained. The Committee is responsible for incorporating the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan of the Avon River Heritage Museum and making adjustments pertinent to the circumstances of the ARHS. The Committee is responsible for the training of all staff and volunteers in executing this plan. The Facilities Maintenance Team shall try to maintain a list/roster of volunteers with various maintenance skills that are willing to be called upon to assist with maintenance problems.
Finance Team Responsibilities:
This team shall consist of the President, Treasurer, the Facilities Manager, and any other financial advisor appointed by this committee or the BOD. The principal responsibility of the Finance Team is to prepare the annual budget for the consideration of the BOD and to oversee its execution. The team shall oversee and assist the Treasurer in the execution of their duties and shall keep the BOD thoroughly informed as to the financial state of the ARHS. The Finance Team establishes and executes the procedure for issuing charitable income tax receipts in accordance with the rules of Revenue Canada.
Volunteer and Human Resources Team Responsibilities:
This team will recruit, support, and acknowledge volunteers following the ARHS Volunteer Policy and using the volunteer application form and exit interview, where appropriate. It will also produce job descriptions, advertise positions, conduct interviews, and select those to be hired. This whole procedure is to be conducted in accordance with ARHS Human Resources policy. It must take into account any hiring restrictions required by Human Resources Development Canada or the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development. This team shall be responsible for managing a volunteer schedule and producing and keeping current the Staff Manual, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and summer student staff. This team shall prepare applications for grants of financial assistance for hiring permanent, casual, summer or other staff. The Volunteer and Human Resources Team is responsible for ensuring that staff are given proper orientation and training so they understand their duties, what is expected and required of them, and what the ARHS is trying to accomplish.
Community Museum Assistance Program (CMAP)/TRACK Team Responsibilities:
This team will stay abreast of museum best practices, will oversee policy review and recommend changes to the BOD where needed, will maintain clear, accessible records of policies and procedure for staff and volunteers (on-line and/or print), will oversee and participate in planning for external museum reviews, and will update the museum’s Strategic Plan as needed. Will participate in regular workshops hosted by the Association of Nova Scotian Museums and the TRACK program as required to maintain our CMAP funding.
Nominating Team Responsibilities:
This team, appointed by the BOD, is comprised of BOD members who are not standing for re-election. The team keeps a record of end of term for each member of the BOD, recruits, and recommends at least one qualified new board member for each open position. The team also takes responsibility for orienting new BOD members.
Under the direction of the Facility Manager, this team is responsible for the planning and execution of special events and museum programming like the Great Little Art Show, Open Studio, Sofa Sundays, the Solstice Market, the Honey Harvest Festival, Wharf Days, workshops and pop-up events. Related tasks include set-up and clean-up before and after events and programming, promotion (in print and online), recruitment of participants for events and programming, and the development of new programming and fundraising activities that benefit the community.
Collections and Exhibits Team Responsibilities:
This team is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, care, and use of the museum’s collection and overseeing planning and creation of exhibits. In carrying out its work, the Collections Team will be guided by and will adhere to the Avon River Heritage Museum Collection Management Policy, Exhibitions Policy, and adhere to the Canadian Museums Association’s Ethics Guidelines (2006). The team shall develop, design, build and organize new or reworked Museum displays. Responsible for the planning and the layout of the Museum. Responsible to ensure that when designing, organizing and building displays, the visitors’ ability to correctly and easily interpret the theme and message of the display remains paramount. The team is encouraged to develop interesting permanent and temporary displays with the innovative use of materials, colour, clear signage and interpretive information and where appropriate, to incorporate the use of sound, smell and interactive devices. Visitors of all reasonable ages should be able to follow, enjoy and understand the information being presented. Safety of the visitors and displays must be built into the displays’ design and construction. This team shall provide pertinent information to assist in maintaining the ARHS website.
Facilities Maintenance Team Responsibilities:
This committee will ensure that the physical facilities are in safe and secure working order. They will be responsible for carrying out an annual inspection of the property using the ARHS Inspection Checklist. It is responsible for inspection of all facilities and arranging for all maintenance, repair, appearance, cleanliness and preservation of the Museum complex and its grounds. Responsible for all necessary preparations for winter, for the first-aid kits, first-aid fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, fire marshal inspections, building and facilities’ security, wheelchair accessibility to the ground floor, landscaping, gardens and parking lots. The team shall determine where road signs are needed, have them produced, put in place and maintained. The Committee is responsible for incorporating the Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Plan of the Avon River Heritage Museum and making adjustments pertinent to the circumstances of the ARHS. The Committee is responsible for the training of all staff and volunteers in executing this plan. The Facilities Maintenance Team shall try to maintain a list/roster of volunteers with various maintenance skills that are willing to be called upon to assist with maintenance problems.
Finance Team Responsibilities:
This team shall consist of the President, Treasurer, the Facilities Manager, and any other financial advisor appointed by this committee or the BOD. The principal responsibility of the Finance Team is to prepare the annual budget for the consideration of the BOD and to oversee its execution. The team shall oversee and assist the Treasurer in the execution of their duties and shall keep the BOD thoroughly informed as to the financial state of the ARHS. The Finance Team establishes and executes the procedure for issuing charitable income tax receipts in accordance with the rules of Revenue Canada.
Volunteer and Human Resources Team Responsibilities:
This team will recruit, support, and acknowledge volunteers following the ARHS Volunteer Policy and using the volunteer application form and exit interview, where appropriate. It will also produce job descriptions, advertise positions, conduct interviews, and select those to be hired. This whole procedure is to be conducted in accordance with ARHS Human Resources policy. It must take into account any hiring restrictions required by Human Resources Development Canada or the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development. This team shall be responsible for managing a volunteer schedule and producing and keeping current the Staff Manual, which outlines the duties and responsibilities of staff, volunteers, and summer student staff. This team shall prepare applications for grants of financial assistance for hiring permanent, casual, summer or other staff. The Volunteer and Human Resources Team is responsible for ensuring that staff are given proper orientation and training so they understand their duties, what is expected and required of them, and what the ARHS is trying to accomplish.
Community Museum Assistance Program (CMAP)/TRACK Team Responsibilities:
This team will stay abreast of museum best practices, will oversee policy review and recommend changes to the BOD where needed, will maintain clear, accessible records of policies and procedure for staff and volunteers (on-line and/or print), will oversee and participate in planning for external museum reviews, and will update the museum’s Strategic Plan as needed. Will participate in regular workshops hosted by the Association of Nova Scotian Museums and the TRACK program as required to maintain our CMAP funding.
Nominating Team Responsibilities:
This team, appointed by the BOD, is comprised of BOD members who are not standing for re-election. The team keeps a record of end of term for each member of the BOD, recruits, and recommends at least one qualified new board member for each open position. The team also takes responsibility for orienting new BOD members.
Travailler avec nous!
L’Avon River Heritage Society est toujours à la recherche de bénévoles pour aider avec les divers aspects du Musée.
Chaque été, nous embauchons deux étudiants pour aider avec les opérations quotidiennes de l’installation.
L’Avon River Heritage Society est toujours à la recherche de bénévoles pour aider avec les divers aspects du Musée.
Chaque été, nous embauchons deux étudiants pour aider avec les opérations quotidiennes de l’installation.