Become a Volunteer
Why volunteer at Strathma?
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Hands-On Experience: Work directly with artifacts, specimens, and archival documents.
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Skill Development: Acquire cataloging, artifact handling, and database management skills.
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Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals in the field for career advancement.
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Contribution to Community: Preserve and maintain cultural heritage, giving back to the community.
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Educational Opportunities: Valuable and applicable museum and archives training.
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Career Exploration: Explore a potential career in museums, archives, or cultural institutions.
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Personal Growth: Develop problem-solving skills and confidence through diverse challenges.
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Cultural Appreciation: Deepen appreciation for history, and cultural preservation.
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Flexible Commitment: Accommodate volunteering around work or study schedules.
Education & Engagement
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As part of the Education & Engagement team, you’ll play a crucial role in sharing the history of Strathcona County through hands-on programs, activities, and special events. We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities within this team:
Engagement Assistant
We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join our team as onsite Engagement Assistants. Responsibilities include:
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Public Engagement: Greeting and engaging with museum visitors, recording visitor statistics and demographic surveys, and giving brief museum introductions.
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Administrative: Assisting with light administrative duties (if interested).
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Educational Programming: Helping to execute special educational programming.
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Marketing: Assisting the team with social media content development (if interested).
This primarily public-facing role is ideal for anyone wishing to gain valuable experience in museum programming and community engagement. It is also a great way to meet new people and contribute to our vibrant cultural community.
Commitment: We ask that interested volunteers be able to contribute a minimum of two shifts per month.
Special Events and Outreach Volunteer Pool
Offsite: Volunteers will join us during various events around the county to support staff in delivering off-site programming. Responsibilities may include assisting in the delivery of on-site programs, supporting off-site exhibit displays at Farmers’ Markets and community events, delivering outdoor Strathma Explorers programs, and interacting with the public.
Onsite: Strathma hosts a variety of onsite events throughout the year. Volunteers can sign up for events as they become available, with further details provided as event sign-up opens. Roles may include public-facing and behind-the-scenes tasks such as helping with set-up/take-down of events, checking in or supervising guests, bartending, and more.
Events include: Ardrossan Parade, Canada Day, Trail Days, Alberta Farm Days, Sherwood Park Highland Gathering, Playdays, Spooky (our annual Halloween party), and more.
Commitment: This is a casual role, perfect for those who cannot commit to a regular volunteer schedule but still want to be involved.
Want to join the Education & Engagement team? Please fill out an application.
Requirements:
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Open to ages 14 and up (if under 18, parental consent required)
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Volunteers 18 and above must provide a Criminal Record Check (free with a letter from us)
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Must be able to get to and from event/ program locations independently
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Off-site events will be offered at a variety of locations. These may include, but are not limited to: the Strathcona County Community Centre, Emerald Hills (Canadian Tire parking lot), Broadmoor Lake Park, South Cooking Lake Community Hall, and Ardrossan Memorial Hall.
Collections & Archives
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As a Volunteer Collections and Archives Assistant in our Collections Department, you'll be instrumental in maintaining, preserving, and showcasing the Museum's fascinating artifact and archive collections.
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Responsibilities may include, but are not restricted to: transcribing oral histories; scanning and digitizing archival materials; aiding in the proper maintenance, handling, and storage of artifacts; conducting artifact photography; and engaging in artifact research and cataloging.
The Collections Department is currently NOT ACCEPTING new volunteers; however, you may submit an application to be added to the wait list for future opportunities.
Requirements:
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Open to ages 16 and up
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If under 18, parental consent required
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Volunteers 18 and above need a free Criminal Record Check with a letter from us
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Preference for long-term commitments
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Ability to lift 50lbs is a plus
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English language learners are welcome to apply
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Shifts are available weekdays between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. A minimum commitment of 2 hrs per week. Saturday’s shifts are available on case per case basis.
Board Members
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Our local gem of a museum—STRATHMA—is looking for new board members!
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Are you interested in local history and sharing cultural interpretation and interesting exhibits with our community and County visitors?
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We are Strathcona County Heritage Foundation, the board operating Strathcona County Museum & Archives (Strathma). We are building a progressive and inclusive group with diverse interests to ensure Strathma’s future.
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We are currently looking for candidates with these life or career experiences:
Education
Grant Writing
Positive attitudes towards volunteering!
Interested in becoming a Board Member team? Please email your resume to Deb Krahn.
Requirements:
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Open to ages 18 and up
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Volunteers need a free Criminal Record Check with a letter from us.
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English language learners are welcome to apply
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