07Dec2023

Category: Volunteering

jessica
Volunteering

Volunteers are vital to the success of our organization, and we are grateful for the hundreds of hours our volunteers dedicate to the work of the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This volunteer spotlight is for Jessica Klauke, one of our Sr. Research Coordinators based out of Oshawa, Ontario, read more below.

Before volunteering at the CPHS, what was the most unusual or interesting volunteer job you’ve ever had?

Prior to volunteering a CPHS the most interesting volunteer position I had was acting as a mentor for a week-long summer camp program with PFLAG. It was an incredible opportunity working with such a supportive group of teens and fellow mentors.

What advice do you have for prospective volunteers for the CPHS?

Some advice I have for prospective volunteers is because everything is done online it is helpful to set a consistent time in your week to work on assignments. This ensures that you will always have a block of time within your week to accomplish assigned tasks.

What are 3 words to describe the CPHS?

Three words I would use to describe CPHS are growing, exciting, and inclusive.

What do you find the most challenging at the CPHS?

What I find most challenging about my role is prioritizing my tasks. While I have a variety of tasks I need to complete, I also want to ensure that my research team can confidently complete their tasks.

What do you like the most about the CPHS?

What I enjoy doing the most is reaching out to people and being able to gather information either via email or interview. All the interactions I have had have been very positive and it is enjoyable listening to people talk about their experiences.

What is your proudest moment at the CPHS?

My proudest moment at CPHS, thus far, is being promoted to the role of Senior Research Coordinator. This is a role that challenges me, and I quite enjoy doing it.

priya
Volunteering

Volunteers are vital to the success of our organization, and we are grateful for the hundreds of hours our volunteers dedicate to the work of the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This volunteer spotlight is for Priya Sivarajan, one of our Research Coordinators based out of Toronto, Ontario, read more below.

Before volunteering at the CPHS, what was the most unusual or interesting volunteer job you’ve ever had? 

Before volunteering at the CPHS, the most interesting volunteer job I had was working as a program assistant for the CanSkate program at my local rink. I began when I was 11 and did it just until the pandemic began, and loved getting to teach skaters of all different skill levels, and see them come to love skating just as much as I did! I was never doing quite the same thing: sometimes I’d teach just one completely new skater, or I’d teach a whole group of nearly ten, or I’d come up with fun games we could play. I learned a lot about communication and creativity, and came to love my sport in a whole new way.

How has the CPHS helped you in your professional development?

The CPHS has helped me learn to become a more resourceful researcher, and a better problem-solver. This has helped me in my academics, as I have become more efficient at finding what I need for papers and assignments. I also know that this will help me in my summer job this year, as I will have to learn many new things and solve problems I have never before come across.

What do you find the most challenging at the CPHS?

I find that learning more about the smaller, rural Prides can be quite difficult. These are such an interesting and vital part of what Pride in Canada is and can be, but due to their smaller community sizes, information can be a bit more difficult to come by. But I find that only makes it more rewarding when you’re able to find a novel way to find the information you’re looking for.

What do you like the most about the CPHS?

What I like most about the CPHS is that it’s ever-evolving – we’re always looking for ways to get even better and accomplish our mission in new ways. We’re never doing the same thing in the same way, which makes it so much more interesting to do this research.

Vassan Aruljothi – Profile Photo
Volunteering

Volunteers are vital to the success of our organization, and we are grateful for the hundreds of hours our volunteers dedicate to the work of the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This volunteer spotlight is for Vassan Aruljothi.

Ben Wiersma picture
Education ProjectVolunteering

Volunteers are vital to the success of our organization, and we are grateful for the hundreds of hours our volunteers dedicate to the work of the Canadian Pride Historical Society. This volunteer spotlight is for Ben Wiersma, one of our Board Members, read more below.

Skip to content