Since the new museum opened in December 2021, approximately 55 volunteers have contribute over 1,000 hours of their time at the new Museum. Photo: Alison Boulier

By Andrew Hildred, Volunteer Coordinator

National Volunteer Week in Canada is April 24-30. Let’s celebrate Canada’s volunteers. The empathy, compassion and generosity of volunteers creates connected communities and builds a stronger Canada.

At MONOVA, we are fortunate to have a dedicated force of volunteers who support the Museum’s mission of engaging, strengthening and inspiring the community and its visitors by creating experiences that explore the past, present and future of North Vancouver and its people. Since opening the new museum in December, we have had approximately 55 volunteers contribute over 1,000 hours to the new museum for a dollar equivalent of $16,900.

Thank You To Volunteers

MONOVA’s volunteers support community events, volunteer in the new Museum, and help out at the Archives. In 2021, we recognized long-serving volunteer Rosanna Robitaille for her 20 years of volunteer service to the Archives. Thank you to Rosanna and all of our volunteers who continue to support MONOVA! Your contributions are greatly valued.

If you are interested in volunteering at the new Museum or at the Archives, click here.

Volunteer Spotlight: Sasha Dali

MONOVA volunteer Sasha Dali next to Streetcar 153. Photo: Sasha Dali

Sasha is a grade 11 student in North Vancouver. She began volunteering in October 2021, just a few months before the Museum’s grand opening.

“My favourite part about being a youth volunteer at MONOVA is getting the opportunity to learn more about the history of this city,” Sasha adds. “Thanks to the knowledgeable staff and experientially-diverse volunteers, students (and other volunteers alike) learn more about how our neighbourhoods reached the state that they are in today.”

“For example, in my second training session I got to hear from some of the senior volunteers who have lived in the city for decades. They spoke about the changes they have seen over the years and how rural even the now-busiest areas were. It made me look at the neighbourhoods I walk through in a different way, and I learned a great deal during that session.”

“As volunteers we gain a glimpse into how North Vancouver’s history is preserved,” Sasha notes. “And we are given a chance to inspire others (children, families and visitors of all ages) into being curious about where they live. It is a rewarding experience for everyone involved, and the museum continues to thrive with the help of its volunteers.”

Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Pantel

Jennifer began volunteering on the Friends Society Board in 2010 and is now vice-president of the Friends Society as well as a Museum volunteer.

“I’m very happy to be back volunteering with a fantastic group of people and helping the Friends Society support the goals, activities and programs at the Museum and Archives, Jennifer notes. “MONOVA is one of the few museums I know of that collaborates closely with its Friends Society and maintains strong links with members of the community. I am proud to be volunteering for an organization that has made an effort to reach out to different communities over the years and has developed exhibits and programs in partnership with local First Nations and cultural groups.”

Friends Society members (left to right) John Gilmour, Mina Mashhour, Jennifer Pantel and Terry Hood. Photo: Alison Boulier

“North Vancouver has a rich and dynamic history,” Jennifer adds. “Volunteering at the museum allows me to share this history with visitors and connect with those who want to learn more about our cultural heritage. The Museum is such a lovely space in which to volunteer and interact with visitors.

“I enjoy making the programs interactive to keep curious minds engaged and there is always something to interest visitors of all ages and backgrounds, from indigenous cultural practices to nature activities to skiing history to cargo ship interactives to mountaineering and much more, it’s quite a range. You’ll want to come back again and again.”

To learn more about volunteering for the Friends Society, click here.