BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Why volunteer for READ Saskatoon?

Dear prospective READ Saskatoon tutor:

Thank you for your interest in literacy and in READ Saskatoon!  We are a volunteer organization that provides free literacy services to adults and families. 

All prospective volunteers are required to attend a 2-part training program:

1. The orientation session familiarizes you with READ Saskatoon and volunteer opportunities available within our organization and community.  It also provides you with important literacy facts and information specific to our city, province and country.
2. Depending on your volunteering preference you will then make a choice about the next training session you attend.  
   • If you wish to become an adult literacy tutor, your training session will provide you with techniques, information and an increased awareness for working with adult learners and the tutoring experience.  
   • If you wish to volunteer with our family literacy program then you will attend the Introduction to Family Literacy training session.

Once you have decided whether the afternoon or evening orientation session fits into your schedule, please call or email us to register for the training.  As part of our screening procedure, a READ Saskatoon staff member will conduct a brief telephone interview with you at some time before.  There are group limits, so please be sure to register ahead of time.

On behalf of the adult learners, the other tutors and the READ Saskatoon Board of Directors we want to thank you for your interest in literacy and READ Saskatoon.  We look forward to working with you as a volunteer!

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How do I get involved with READ Saskatoon?

Step 1:	Review the information provided in this package and decide what volunteer opportunity works best for you.
Step 2:	Pick the orientation and training dates that fits your schedule and volunteering preference.  Register for the sessions by calling READ Saskatoon at 652-5448.
Step 3:	If possible, please complete the criminal record check prior to the training and bring your copy of the record check to the training.
Step 4:	Complete the orientation and training sessions.
Step 5:	Submit your registration form and references at the training session.
Step 6:	Receive your match with an adult learner or other READ Saskatoon program and become a volunteer with READ Saskatoon!

READ Saskatoon screens all prospective volunteers thoroughly. We also ask that all volunteers provide:

• Personal interview:  The required interview takes about ten to fifteen minutes and will be done either the day of your orientation or over the telephone at another time.
• Criminal record checks: A letter is provided in the information package that you need to take with you to the police station. The letter identifies you as a READ Saskatoon volunteer, so that you will not be charged a fee to have the criminal record check completed.
• References:  We require two personal or professional references.  The names and daytime phone numbers of your references are included on the registration forms.  Please tell your references to expect a call from us.

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Volunteer Opportunities at READ Saskatoon

One-to-One Adult Tutoring Program
Tutor volunteers are matched with an adult learner to meet on a one-to-one basis.  The tutor and adult learner meet at a mutually agreed upon time at a public library that is convenient for both of them.  All volunteer tutors receive training on tutoring methods prior to being matched.  A six-month commitment is required.The orientation session and additional training is required. 

Family Literacy
Family Literacy supports literacy development for the entire family and encourages parents and children to learn together.  Volunteers work collaboratively with the Family Literacy Coordinator to help support the relationship between caregivers and children by modeling that literacy is not limited to reading and writing.  The orientation session and additional Family literacy training is required.

READ Saskatoon Board of Directors
READ Saskatoon's Board of Directors meets the second Monday evening every alternate month from September to June. You can learn about meeting times by checking our calendar. There are three options for joining our volunteer board of directors:

• as an interested community member;
• as an adult learner;
• as a tutor.

The Board of Directors is responsible to explain, introduce, and develop policies for READ Saskatoon.  The Board, and its various committees, will ensure the mission and vision of READ Saskatoon is defined and fulfilled. They are responsible for:

• Setting organizational values;
• Initiating, reviewing and evaluating policy;
• Completing annual performance reviews of staff;
• Establishing and annually reviewing Personnel Policies and/or Contracts of Employment;
• Ensuring the long-term financial viability of READ Saskatoon;
• Reporting and being accountable to the membership of READ Saskatoon

The READ Saskatoon Adult Literacy Team
This five member team meets every month weeks to provide guidance and advice to each other as they carry out their learning journey.

Advisory Committees
READ Saskatoon is always looking at ways to enhance programming supports to the community.  We are looking for volunteers for the following committees:

1. 
   Adult Literacy Team Committee
   This eight member committee meets every six to eight weeks to provide guidance and advice to each other as they carry out their learning career.
2. Saskatoon Region Family Literacy Advisory Group
   This five member committee meets every six to eight weeks to increase the awareness of Family Literacy in our community through special events promotion and programming opportunities.
3. Board Committees
   Volunteers on the committees assist Board members with various aspects of READ Saskatoon.  The committees are: fundraising; personnel; finance and events.  The committees meet four times per year and often work on projects outside of meeting times.

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Volunteer Literacy Tutor Job Profile

View PDF version (93k)

Position Description

The READ Saskatoon volunteer trained literacy tutor will work with an adult using the methods and strategies presented during the tutor trainings and supplemental learning opportunities.  Helping improve an adult’s literacy skills will make functioning in our society easier and will help them realize self-identified goals.  The Saskatoon Public Library and READ Saskatoon will provide materials and a place for the literacy tutor and adult learner to meet.  The tutor and adult learner will find a time and public location that is convenient for both.

Qualifications

• Interest and/or experience in working with adult learners
• Ability to be flexible and patient with an adult learner
• Desire to learn by facilitating
• Dependable and prompt
• Able to relate well to a variety of people
• Optimistic, patient and adaptive
• Good sense of humour
• Humility
• Strong listening skills
• Pass READ Saskatoon screening process (personal interview, references, criminal record check)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Required training

• 2.5 hour orientation
• 6.5 hour literacy tutoring methodology training

Responsibilities

• Contact adult learner with one week of assignment and arrange for mutually-convenient tutoring location and time
• Prepare for lessons with adult learner
• Meet regularly with adult learner
• Encourage and support the adult learner by:
  • Helping them develop confidence and a positive attitude about learning;
  • Respecting them and involving them in decisions about the learning process;
  • Selecting adult materials and approaches that are suitable for the learners’ ability and needs;
  • Supporting them and praising them for their efforts rather than criticizing them;
  • Meeting regularly and punctually
• Report hours (tutoring, preparing and “other”) and progress monthly to READ Saskatoon Adult Program Coordinator
• Report promptly if you stop working together
• Maintain and improve tutoring skills by attending in-service trainings and conferences

Place of Work

Public locations such as the READ Saskatoon office, public library, coffee shops, etc.

Hours

Recommended: meet with adult learner once a week for 1 – 1.5 hrs/week

Length of Commitment

Minimum of six months

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Volunteer Requirements & Options

Training Requirements & Options

Orientation Session – This part of the training will introduce you to READ Saskatoon, our programs, important literacy issues and general literacy information. You will receive an orientation package. Those wanting to tutor will also receive a binder detailing tutor techniques and approaches. This binder is the basis for the full-day Saturday training. The orientation session usually lasts two and half hours and you may choose between a daytime session (1:00 – 3:30 pm) or an evening session (6:30 – 9:00 pm).

Tutor Training Sessions - The tutor training is a full-day session offered on a Saturday. This training provides you with methods and strategies for working with the adult learner, as well as interactive exercises to help you become more familiar with various tutoring techniques. We ask you review your binder prior to attending this session.  The training sessions are held at READ Saskatoon and start at 9:30.  Lunch is provided and we are done around 4:45.

Tutor training has been scheduled for the following dates. Please contact the office at 652-5448 to register for the session most convenient for you.

The Introduction to Family Literacy Certificate Training provides information about Family Literacy, best practices that support family literacy programming, an overview of the programs offered and ways you can be involved. 

Thanks again ~ we look forward to working with you! READ Saskatoon ~ 652-5448.