Doors Open Toronto
Volunteer - 2012 Doors Open Toronto
Doors Open Toronto May 26 & 27, 2012
Doors Open Toronto volunteers must be familiar with the Doors Open Toronto program, enjoy dealing with the public, have good communication skills and be interested in the architecture and history of Toronto. Volunteers are the ambassadors for this event and for the City of Toronto.
There is a wide range of adult and youth volunteer opportunities at many of the buildings participating in Doors Open Toronto.
Please contact Doors Open Toronto at doorsopen@toronto.ca for more details.
A wide range of adult and youth volunteer opportunities are available at many buildings participating in Doors Open Toronto. Volunteers are ambassadors for this event and for the City of Toronto.
General criteria
General criteria to participate as a DOT volunteer include:
- Being familiar with the Doors Open Toronto program
- Enjoying dealing with the public
- Having good communication skills
- Appreciating the architecture and history of Toronto
- Attending a general Toronto Special Events orientation session for new volunteers
Take a look below to see which opportunity is right for you!
Information Ambassadors
- Are 16 years or older (See the Youth Policy)
- Commit to a four-hour or eight-hour shift
- Commit to additional training by your designated building if required
- Greet visitors
- Provide information, such as location of washrooms, tour schedules, etc.
- Manage crowd control at high traffic buildings
City Hall Info Desk Ambassadors:
- Are 18 years or older
- Commit to an eight-hour shift
- Provide information, such as building locations, program guides, directions, etc.
- Answer the phone and source information on the DOT website
- Are familiar with the DOT program venues
Tour Guide Ambassadors
- Are 18 years or older
- Commit to a four-hour or eight-hour shift.
- Commit to additional training by your designated building if required
- Stand for long periods of time
- Liaise with the Building Volunteer Coordinator to learn scripted information for guided tours
- Are comfortable speaking in front of large crowds
- Have strong presentation skills
Floater-downtown core only
- Are 18 years or older
- Commit to an four-hour shift
- Are ready to be dispersed, (from City Hall Headquarters), as required to high-traffic sites that need extra help
Volunteer Captains – Various Areas
Notes:
Volunteer Captains are expected to report for both event days.
- Are 18 years or older
- Are proven team leaders, organized and exceptionably reliable
- Commit to approximately 28 hours, including:
- Two eight-hour shifts on DOT weekend
- Two training sessions:
- Volunteer Captain training
- DOT volunteer orientation
- Providing about six hours of administration help, which includes corresponding with your designated Volunteers and Building Volunteer Coordinators
- Providing attendance documentation and feedback to the DOT team.
Volunteer Applications
Please contact Doors Open Toronto at spevvol@toronto.ca for more details.
All volunteers are guaranteed one-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks if committed to an eight-hour shift.
Our Family loves Doors Open Toronto. We have always been proud of our city but this program has increased both our knowledge and appreciation.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I visited 2 sites in east end Toronto:The East Toronto Masonic Temple at 15 Chisholm Ave and Hope United Church at 2550 Danforth.
For 30 years I have lived within 3 blocks of both of these sites, and I have never been in either of them. Both were very interesting to visit. The volunteers who answered questions at both sites were friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable.
Thank you for including these sites in Open Doors.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
My mom, who is 80 years young, has been coming [to Doors Open Toronto] with my husband and me every year. Even though she has lived in Toronto for most of her life she says she has never seen so much of this city.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
I think the great success of Doors Open Toronto proves to the politicians, and to developers, that people do care about their heritage. They know that a city becomes a better place to live when the character of great old buildings is preserved.
– Margie Zeidler, Developer In Globe and Mail Article, Report on Business
These types of events bring the community together - there are some real architectural treasures and hidden gems to be explored.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
Doors Open is not just about historical buildings, but also buildings that play an important or distinct role in the fabric of the participating community.
– Doors Open Toronto Participant
...We frequently wonder if Toronto architecture has any redeeming qualities. The answer, of course, is a resounding 'Yes!' and a weekend attending Doors Open sites provides all the proof you need.
– The Torontoist
...The real importance of Doors Open may be its ability to bring us all a little closer together, to expand the common understanding that transforms mere physical proximity into something approaching citizenship and shared identity.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Doors Open is one of the best things to have happened to Toronto architecture so far this century or for any century for that matter.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
...Had an amazing day today, had a first date, we did Doors Open Toronto: got a free beer sample at Steam Whistle and went sailing, 1st time ever!.
– Doors Open Toronto Tweet
Excellent. Absolutely excellent. I look forward to this every year! I loved and appreciated how informative and friendly every single person running the locations we went to were - this really is a great event in our city!
– Stephan Peleck, Doors Open Toronto Participant
May the Doors always be open.
– Christopher Hume, Toronto Star
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