Volunteer Handbook

www.projectwatershed.ca
Telephone:2507032871

TableofContents Introduction MissionStatement Backgrounder Ongoinginitiatives CommunityWay EstuaryWorkingGroup KeepingitLivingSponsorshipOpportunities TheMappingCentre MembershiptoProjectWatershed Wetlandkeeper&StreamkeeperCourses ConservationCentreGroups GeneralPolicy Confidentiality PublicRepresentationofProjectWatershed Referrals DealingwithConflict VolunteerOpportunities VolunteerDevelopment VolunteerResponsibilitiesandBenefits ProhibitedBehaviors SubstanceAbuse SafetyandHealth AccidentReporting SmokingintheWorkplace UseofEquipment ComputerEquipment PersonalUseofTelephoneEquipment ContactInformation:

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Introduction

OneoftheprimarystrengthsofProjectWatershedisthecommitmentandprofessionalismofitsvolunteers.Project Watershedplacesahighvalueonthewellbeingofitsvolunteersandiscommittedtocreatingaworkplacewhereinall volunteersaretreatedwithhumanity,fairnessanddignity. Thishandbookoutlinestheinitiatives,programsandactivitiesandbasicpersonnelpolicies,practicesandproceduresof theorganization.ThepoliciesinthishandbookapplytoallvolunteersofProjectWatershed. Weaskthateachvolunteermakehimselforherselffamiliarwiththis Handbookonaregularbasis.

MissionStatement
TopromotecommunitystewardshipofComoxValleywatershedsthrougheducation,informationandaction.

Backgrounder
ProjectWatershedisanenterprisingnonprofitsocietythatwasestablishedin1993byasmallgroupofcitizens concernedbydecliningfishstocks,waterquality,andrapidurbandevelopmentinComoxValleywatersheds.Often workinginpartnershipwithlocalstewardshiporganizations,industryandalllevelsofgovernment,wepromote communitystewardshipthrougheducation,informationandactionprojects.Weofferprofessionalconservationmapping andrelatedtechnicalservices,hostregularStreamkeeper&Wetlandkeepercourses,maintainastewardshipinformation library,andcurrentlymanageresearch,restoration,assessment,protectionandawarenessraisingprojectsinthe CourtenayRiverEstuaryandPuntledgeRiverwatershed. Partneringwithlikemindedorganizationswemaintainofficesatthe"ComoxValleyConservationCenter"at2356A RosewallCrescentinCourtenay,alongwiththeComoxValleyConservationSociety,theComoxValleyLandTrust,andthe TsolumRiverRestorationSociety.ForfurtherinformationaboutComoxValleyProjectWatershedSociety,andour employment,volunteerandmembershipopportunities,visitourwebsite:www.projectwatershed.bc.ca. ProjectWatershedSocietyhasundertakennumerousprojectsinpartnershipwithboththefederalandprovincial governments.WehaveoperatedundergrantsfromtheBCMinistryofEnvironment,Lands&Parks,Ministryof TransportationVancouverIslandHighwayProject,BCMinistryofAgricultureandFood,MinistryofFisheries,Ministryof CommunityDevelopment,Cooperatives&Volunteers,andwearecurrentrecipientsofaDirectAccessGrantfromthe GamingPolicyandEnforcementBranchoftheMinistryofHousingandSocialDevelopment.FromtheGovernmentof Canada,wehavereceivednumerousgrantsfromEnvironmentCanadafromtheHabitatStewardshipforSpeciesatRisk Program,andtheEcoActionProgram,andfromFisheriesandOceansCanadawehavereceivedgrantsfromthePublic InvolvementProgram,theHabitatRestoration,andSalmonEnhancementProgramaswellasHumanResources DevelopmentCanadathroughaLocalLabourMarketPartnershipProject. Manyprojectsaredependentonfundingandchangethroughouttheyear.Wealsohaveongoinginitiatives,specific detailsarelistedbelow. topromotecommunitystewardshipofeverywatershedfromOyster RivertoDeepBayCreek toprovideandpromoteenvironmentaleducationandresearch toacquireanddisseminateenvironmentalinformation toenhancecommunityunderstandingoflocalecosystemsandrecognitionoftherequirementsofindigenousspecies toimproveawarenessoflocalactionopportunitiesinwatershedstewardship toprovideandpromoteemploymentopportunitiesinsustainablewatershedactivities toworkwithgovernmentagencies,privatecompanies,andother interestgroupstoconserve,restore,anddevelophabitatforindigenous fish,flora,andfauna toencourageallagesandculturestobecomeinvolvedincommunity stewardshipofwatersheds

 Ongoinginitiatives
CommunityWay
ProjectWatershedisabeneficiaryofcw$acommunitycurrencyintheComoxValley.Intotal,wehave received$10,000incw$donationsfromlocalbusinesses. BasedontheLetssystem,itiscreatedbybusinessesdonatingcommunitywaydollars(cw$)tocharities andnonprofitorganisations.Theseorganisationscanconvertcommunitywaydollarsbysellingittothe generalpublicforCanadiancurrency.CommunitywaydollarsareonparwithCanadiandollarscw$20=$20Canadian andcanbespentatanyofthebusinessesthathavedonatedfunds.ProjectWatershedhasusedthemoneydonatedtopay forprinting,paycaterersmusiciansattheEstuaryGala,havethewebsiteredesigned,andanewlogocreated. Atevents,wesellcw$andwealsoacceptitat30%foritemsthatwehaveforsale. Whensomeonebuyscw$fromProjectWatershedtheyhelpintwoways: 1)bygivingusfundstorunourprojectsandprograms 2)helpinglocalbusinessesbyspendingtheircw$ Therearecurrentlyover35localbusinessesthatacceptcw$andwehavecardstobehandedoutthatdetailthese businesses. Weencourageyoutogetinvolvedbypurchasingyourcw$throughus.

EstuaryWorkingGroup
TheEstuaryWorkingGroupisasubcommitteeofPW,committedtoprotectandrestoration oftheCourtenayRiverEstuary.ThisgroupadministerstheKeepingitLivingcampaignand envisionsresidentslivingwithintheestuaryandsurroundingareainharmonywithits naturallifecycles.

TheCourtenayRiverEstuaryhasbeenseverelyimpactedovertheyearsbyindustrial activityandchangesarerequirediftheestuarysnaturalfeaturesaretobepreserved.Theestuaryisoneofonlyeight ClassIestuariesinBCbasedonintertidalsize,estuarinehabitat,intertidalspecies,waterbirddensity,andherringspawn. Theestuaryisgeographicallydividedintofourdistinctpoliticaljurisdictionswithnocommonagreementastohowthe estuaryshouldbeprotectedforfuturegenerations. ProjectWatershedthroughtheEstuaryWorkingGroupismovingforwardonfourfronts:1)Collaboratingwithlocal governmentstoestablishasystemofgovernanceforthewholeestuary.2)Establishingmonitoringprogramstogather baselineinformationonthestateoftheestuary.3)Undertakingrestorationprojects;and4)Developingpubliceducation andawarenessprogramsabouttheestuary.

KeepingitLivingSponsorshipOpportunities PlatinumSponsorship$1000
36x24limitededitionsignedcanvasprint IncludesCertificateofAuthenticity.

GoldSponsorship$100
An11x15signedandnumbered printwithacertificateofauthenticity

SilverSponsorship$25
Oneof2specialtyartposters

ItemDescription PlatinumSponsorship GoldSponsorship SilverSponsorship StudentSponsorship

CashPrice $1000 $100 $25 $15

CW$ 300 30 8 5

Cash 700 70 17 10

StudentBronzeSponsorship$15
Oneof2specialtyartposters

 TheMappingCentre

TheMappingCentre(TMC)providesMaps,GIS& GPSServices&Equipmentrental. TheMappingCentrecantailorsomethingforanyone.Ifsomeonehasamapping,GISorGPSneedhavethemcontactus andwellputtheirideasonthemap! TheMappingCentrenotonlyprovidesgreatservicesandinnovativeproductsbutalsoacommitmenttoenvironmental stewardshipandrestoration.SinceweareasocialenterprisingarmofProjectWatershedallprofitsgotowardsProject Watershed'sgoalsandprojects. ItemDescription LaminatedMaps PaperMaps CustomMadeMaps CashPrice CommunityWay30% CW$ Cash $50 15 35 $35 11 24 $60base*pricewilldependsonamountof workrequiredcontactCailaHolbrookto discuss

MembershiptoProjectWatershed
Membershiphelpsustogaugecommunitysupportfortheworkwedo andtoleveragefinancialsupportforourprojects. Membershipbenefitsinclude: AsubscriptiontoProjectWatershedNews AllowingmemberstovoteonissuesatourAGM. Receivingnoticesandupdatesaboutenvironmentalnewsandevents ReducedratesforourWetlandkeeperandStreamkeepers workshopsrunintheSpringandFall. Costs: $10individual,$20Family/NonProfit/Farm,$50Business

Wetlandkeeper&StreamkeeperCourses
Learnhowtomonitorandprotectwetlands.Wetlandkeepersisa 2.5dayintroductiontowetlandstewardship.Thecourseoffersindividuals anopportunityforhandsonpracticeofwetlandconservationskills,suchasconductingwetlandplantandbirdsurveys, wetlandcleaningupandraisingpublicawareness.Participantsthatsuccessfullycompletethecourseareawardeda WetlandkeepersCertificate. Sponsoredby: ContactJoannetoregister: Phone:(250)3391619 Fax:(250)3399619 Email:j.ellefson@shaw.ca

ConservationCentreGroups
ProjectWatershedsharesofficesandoftenworksinpartnershipwithotherconservationgroups.Theseinclude:

TheComoxValleyConservationStrategy(CVCS)isaregionalconservationplanningframework,firstinitiatedtostopthe lossofecologicalareasintheComoxValleybypromotingtheconservationandrestorationoflandandwaterecosystems.

ComoxValleyConservationStrategy www.conservationstrategy.org

TheComoxValleyLandTrustisanorganizationoflocalvolunteersdedicatedtoprotectingtheComoxValley'sheritageof landandresourcesthroughvoluntaryconservation.

ComoxValleyLandTrust www.cvlandtrust.org

TsolumRiverRestorationSociety www.tsolumriver.org Communications

GeneralPolicy

TheTsolumRiverRestorationSocietyworkstorestorethehealthandproductivityoftheTsolumRivertohistoriclevels.

ProjectWatershedencouragesanopenenvironmentinwhichall volunteers,members,employeesandBoardMemberscanexpressthemselves;whereissuesareraisedandrespondedto inanappropriate andtimelymanner;andwhereeveryoneistreatedwithrespectand dignity.Webelievethatopencommunicationproducesaricherandmoreproductiveworkplace,enhancesthequalityof decisions,andultimatelyimprovesthequalityandvalueoftheworkwedointhecommunity.Allvolunteerswilluseopen communicationtobuildcooperativeworkingrelationshipsandsolveproblemsandthatmayarise.

Confidentiality
VolunteermembersareresponsiblefortheprotectionofconfidentialinformationgainedthroughtheirdutiesatProject Watershed,including anyconfidentialinformationrelatedtoProjectWatershedsoperations,directors,officers,volunteers,donororclients. Whereverpossible,supervisorswilladvisevolunteersastoareasofconfidence.Itistheresponsibilityofthevolunteer, whenindoubt,toseekclarificationfrom theVolunteerCoordinator.

PublicRepresentationofProjectWatershed
EveryvolunteerisanambassadorforProjectWatershedand,assuch, isexpectedtospeakpositivelyandprofessionallyabouttheorganization. NovolunteermayofficiallyrepresentProjectWatershed.Thisincludes, butisnotlimitedto: speakingonbehalfoftheorganizationatpublicmeetings speakingonbehalfoftheorganizationtorepresentativesofthemedia usingthecorporatelogoorletterhead, submittingapressrelease, signingadocumentonbehalfoftheorganization. Itistheresponsibilityofthevolunteer,whenindoubt,toseekclarificationfromtheVolunteerCoordinator.

Referrals
ProjectWatershed'svolunteersoftenreceivepublicrequestsfor informationviatelephoneorinperson.Whenthevolunteerisunabletoprovidethatinformation,theywillreferthe requesttotheVolunteerCoordinator.Everyeffortwillbemadebythevolunteertoensurethattherequestorsneedsare adequatelymet.

 DealingwithConflict
Avolunteerwhofindshim/herselfinasituationofrealorpotential conflict,controversy,ordiscomfortwithamember,BoardMember, volunteerormemberofthepublicmustreportthesituationimmediately totheirsupervisor.ThevolunteerwillbeaskedtogiveadescriptionofthesituationtotheVolunteerCoordinatorwithin one(1)workingdayoftheoccurrence. TheVolunteerCoordinatormay: Advisethevolunteerastoanacceptablecourseofactiontopursue inordertoresolvetheconflict Proceedonbehalfofthevolunteertoseekresolutiontotheconflict Callameetingwiththeotherpartytohearbothsidesofthestory Offerindependentmediationtothevolunteerandotherparty ReferthemattertotheBoardofDirectors. Inanycase,thevolunteerwillbeadvisedastowhatstepshavebeen takenandwillbeinvolvedindecisionmakingwhereverpossible.

VolunteerOpportunities
Hereisanexampleofsomeofthevolunteeropportunitiesthatwehave.Trainingwillbeprovidedandyourrolecan changefromtimetotimeifyouwish

BoothParticipationLocalEvents

SpecialEventsCoordinatiors Office

23hourshiftsdealingwithvisitorstoourboothatvariousevents throughouttheValleysuchasEarthDay,FallFair,andMarketDay.Volunteerswillgetinfreefortheevent. Taketheleadinorganizinganareasuchasfoodorticketsalesforspecialevents.

Helpingwithofficeadministration,websiteupdates,phonecalls,preparingforevents,puttingawaymaterialsafterevents.

CommunityWay

IntroducingCommunityWaythroughouttheValleybyexchangingdollarsforcw$s.Thisinvolvesbeingatatableata localvenuetalkingtopeopleaboutthebenefitsofusingcommunitywayandaskingthemtoexchangedollars.

Photography/Video/Media OutdoorOpportunities

Takingphotosateventsanduploadingtooursocialmediasites.

Theseareprojectbasedandchangeovertime.Mostincludeeitherrestoration,researchorassessment.Volunteerneeds tobeingoodphysicalhealth.

ForageFish
Workingonthebeachgoldpanningforeggstoidentifyspawningbeachessothatthosebeachescanbeprotectedinthe future Timeframe:onceamonthovertheperiodof1yearingroupsof26

EelGrass
WorkingonthebeachmappingandmonitoringthedistributionandabundanceofeelgrassaroundtheRoystonWrecks Timeframe:13days

PlantTrees
Planttreesandapplydeerrepellent

 VolunteerDevelopment
ItisthepolicyofProjectWatershedtoassistvolunteerstoincreasetheeffectivenessoftheirperformanceintheir positions,aswellastoencouragevolunteerstoobtainskills,knowledge,andabilitiesthatmayimprovetheir opportunitiesforcareeradvancement. AtthediscretionoftheVolunteerCoordinatorSuchopportunitiesmayincludeonthejobtraining,courses,seminars, conferences,lectures,meetings,workshopsandparticipationinprofessionalandtechnicalassociations. Eachvolunteerhastheprimaryresponsibilityforindividual developmentandshouldmakehis/hertraininganddevelopment interestsknowntotheVolunteerCoordinator.

VolunteerResponsibilitiesandBenefits AsaProjectWatershedvolunteeryouhavetheresponsibilityto:
letthevolunteercoordinatorknowifyoucannotmakethevolunteeractivitythatyoucommitto. Keeparecordofyourvolunteerhoursonlineatgooglegroups Berespectful,helpfulandhonestwiththepublicandfellowvolunteers

AsaProjectWatershedvolunteeryouhavetherightto:

Betreatedwithrespect,dignityandclarity. Beinformedaboutyourrequirements,schedulesandskillsrequired. Becomfortablewiththejobassignedtoyou. Berecognizedforyourcontributionandhavetheopportunitytorequestachangetoyourvolunteerposition.

ProhibitedBehaviors
Anyofthefollowingprohibitedbehaviorscanresultindischarge withoutnotice: Threatstotherightsandsafetyofothers,includingbothverbalandphysicalacts. StealingormisuseofProjectWatershedfundsorproperty, orthepropertyofothers,orincurringunauthorizedexpenditures. Languageoractionswhichareinappropriatetothe workplaceorwhichcreatearaciallyorsexuallyharassingenvironment. Violationofclient,donorororganizationconfidentiality. Violationsofsafetyrulesorthegrossorintentional endangermentofthesafetyofselforcoworkers.

SubstanceAbuse
ItisthepolicyofProjectWatershedtomaintainanenvironmentfreeoftheuse,saleorpossessionofcontrolled substancesandillegaldrugs.Unlawfulmanufacture,distribution,dispensation,possession,oruseofcontrolledsubstances orillegaldrugsbyvolunteersofProjectWatershedonProjectWatershedbusinessisprohibited.

SafetyandHealth
ProjectWatershediscommittedtoprovidingsafeworkingconditions foritsvolunteers.ProjectWatershedwillnotknowinglypermitunsafeconditionstoexistnorwillitpermitvolunteersto beinvolvedin unsafeacts.

AccidentReporting
VolunteersmustreportallworkrelatedaccidentsorillnesstotheVolunteerCoordinatorregardlessofhowminor.Ifa workrelatedinjuryorillnessrequiresmedicalattentionbyaphysicianormedicalfacilitythatproducesabill,aworkers compensationclaimmustbemadeoutthatsamedaybythevolunteer'ssupervisorandtheWorkers'CompensationBoard mustbecontactedbythesupervisor.

SmokingintheWorkplace
Volunteersmaynotsmokeinsharedworkspaces,commonareas,orareasthatmaybedesignatedasfire/physicalhazards orwhereitviolatesanybylaws.Smokingisallowedoutsideofthebuildingindesignatedsmokingareas.

UseofEquipment
ProjectWatershediscommittedtomaintainingitsleadershiprole intheuseofstateoftheartwatershedstewardshipequipment. Itisofutmostimportancethatequipmentbetreatedwithcareand respectatalltimes.

WatershedMappingFieldEquipment
ProjectWatershedownsandmaintainsawidearrayoffieldequipment,including:TrimbleGPSunits,GarminGPSunits, clinometers,compasses,tightchains,fieldvests,notebooks,hipwaders,etc.,toperformitswork. FieldequipmentwillbeissuedtotechnicalvolunteersbytheProgramCoordinatorasrequiredfortheperformanceof theirjob.TheProgramCoordinatorwillensurethatvolunteersreceiveadequatetrainingintheuseandmaintenanceof theequipment.TheProgramCoordinatorwillmaintainaninventoryofallsuchequipmentandattendtomaintenance requirements. Thevolunteersareresponsiblefor: obtainingadequateinstructioninthecorrectusageofthe equipment operating,transportingandstoringtheequipmentinaproper andsafemanner usingtheequipmentforassignedprojectrelatedworkonly reportinganyrepairorreplacementneedstotheirsupervisor returningtheequipmentinexcellentworkingorderatthe completionofaproject.

ComputerEquipment
Volunteersusingcomputerequipmentareresponsiblefor: obtainingadequateinstructioninthecorrectusageofthe computer,software&accessories,eitherfromtheirsupervisor orfromanothervolunteerpersondesignatedbytheirsupervisor operatingtheequipmentinaproperandsafemanner reportinganyrepairorreplacementneedstotheirsupervisor

PersonalUseofTelephoneEquipment
ProjectWatershed'stelephonelinesaresolelyforthepurposeof conductingthebusinessofthesociety.Accordingly,volunteersshall notuseProjectWatershedtelephonelinesforpersonalcallslongerthan fiveminutesperdayandshallnotchargeanypersonallongdistancetelephonecallstoProjectWatershed.Volunteers shallnotuseProjectWatershed'semail,faxorcomputersforanypersonalbusiness unlesspriorpermissionisobtainedfromtheVolunteerCoordinator.

ContactInformation:

ComoxValleyProjectWatershedSociety

MailingAddress:POBox3007,Courtenay,BC,V9N5N3 OfficeAddress:2356aRosewallCres,Courtenay,BC Telephone:2507032871 VolunteerCoordinator: ValeriDiamond Email:volunteer@projectwatershed.bc.ca www.projectwatershed.bc.ca ManythanksgoestoKathyBirkettforhertimetoputtogetherthisvolunteerhandbook.