WWF’s CN Tower Climb for Nature – Volunteer Opportunities

WWF

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for WWF’s CN Tower Climb for Nature! 

The 2016 Public and Youth Climb will take place on Saturday, April 16th from 5:00am to 12:00pm and the Team Challenge will be on Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm. 

With over 5100 climbers and nearly 1 million dollars raised in 2015, the Climb is our most significant fundraising event! Our 550+ volunteers are critical to this incredible success! We simply couldn’t have done this event without your enthusiasm, dedication and support!

Key Details 

  • Minimum age – To volunteer at this event, you must be at least 16 years of age.  Volunteers under the age of 18 must have written permission from their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).  Those under 16 who still want to participate are asked to submit a formal request to: [email protected].  In order for this application to be considered, your parent(s) or legal guardian MUST attend the event and volunteer alongside you for your entire shift.
  • Orientation Sessions – Volunteers will be asked to attend an orientation session in April. Volunteers on the Registration team must attend a hands-on training session prior to the event. Details will be provided closer to the event.
  • Time – Most volunteer shifts begin at: 5:00AM and it is extremely important that volunteers arrive on time. If you do not feel that you can truly commit to arriving by 5:00AM, please do not sign up for the position. We truly appreciate your commitment and promise that refreshments will be available!
  • Transportation – Prior to signing up, please consider your transportation options to the site. On weekends, the TTC subway system is not in service until 6:00AM on Saturdays; 8:00AM on Sundays.  This can make getting downtown more difficult. However, the Blue Line bus routes are in service and stop very close to the site. More information will be provided to help make sure you have a smooth arrival! 
  • Community Service Hours – Volunteers who are interested in receiving documentation for their Community Service Hours are asked to request a reference letter.  Reference letters will be emailed after the event.  Additional Community Service hours can be earned by attending training and orientation sessions. 

Benefits 
There are many reasons to get involved as a volunteer with WWF’s CN Tower Climb for Nature and everyone has their own motivation. Some of our favorite reasons are:

  • Ensuring that our conservation work can continue at home and around the world! 
  • An invitation to our exclusive volunteer after-party
  • Raffle tickets to great prizes including the Grand Prize: An Apple iPhone 6s (courtesy of TELUS*)
  • Receiving a WWF-Canada Volunteer T-Shirt and delicious refreshments throughout the day.
  • Gaining experience working at this high profile event is a wonderful addition to any resume.
  • Spending time with friends, family, groups and coworkers! We encourage you to sign up early to be on the same team as your friends!
  • Receiving a reference letter documenting their participation and hours (if requested).

Volunteer Positions 
WWF-Canada is looking for volunteers to fill a variety of positions at our 2016 Climb.  As there are a number of different positions, we recommend that you carefully read the descriptions of all the positions prior to signing up.  Please be sure to note the date, start time and requirements of the position.  If a team has been filled, we may suggest an alternate position.

General Assistance
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You are a ‘Jack of all Trades’ and can experience the entire event!  You will assist any volunteer positions that require additional support (covering breaks, extra manpower …).*
Ideal Volunteer: This is a dynamic position that is best suited for a flexible, outgoing volunteer. You have strong interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills and are adaptable to a variety of duties.  General Assistance volunteers may be asked to stand and/or sit and/or lift heavy items.
* This position involves working indoors and outdoors.

Coat Check
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You check the climber’s coats and belongings into and out of the coat check area in a smooth and efficient manner.  You will also help direct climbers to Registration tables as well as providing instructions and answering questions. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, confident and don’t mind speaking to large groups! You remain calm in hectic settings and are always polite and professional. You have excellent communication skills.

Line Up Monitor
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will help ensure that line-ups move smoothly and efficiently. This will include directing climbers to Registration tables, helping with crowd control, giving instructions and answering questions. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, confident and don’t mind speaking to large groups! You remain calm in hectic settings and are always polite and professional. You are patient and have excellent communication skills. 

Hands-Free Check
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will make sure climbers understand and abide by the Hands-Free policy. You will double check that all climbers have wrist bands and are not carrying any items. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing, friendly and confident while giving clear instructions. You have excellent communication skills and are comfortable being firm with upholding the rules of the event.

Food Runners
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will deliver tasty food to staff and volunteers throughout the event. You will be able to experience all aspects of the event and meet tons of grateful people!
Ideal Volunteer: You are outgoing and friendly. You have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Volunteers must be able to walk for several hours.

Registration (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will register climbers, collect and count money, provide wrist bands and answer questions. This position involves attending a mandatory pre-event training session in April.
Ideal Volunteer:  You are friendly, patient and have a strong attention to detail. You remain calm in potentially stressful situations and are always polite and professional. You have excellent communication skills and can easily follow multi-step instructions.
Registration volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

Outside Directions
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will help climbers follow the path from Registration to the Tower. You will be responsible for answering questions, providing directions and helping those who become lost.*
Ideal Volunteer: You are enthusiastic and outgoing! You can communicate detailed directions clearly and calmly and answer questions. You are comfortable standing for several hours.
* This position involves working indoors and outdoors.

Hydration Station
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will offer water to climbers to ensure they are well hydrated before and after their climb. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are enthusiastic and outgoing! You remain calm in spite of long lines and are always polite and professional.  You are comfortable standing for several hours. 

Money Runners
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:00am to 12:00pm
Duties: Ensure that all registration tables have adequate floats and replenish as required. Help transport all donations to money room. 
Ideal Volunteer: This is a busy position that is best suited for a cooperative, outgoing volunteer. You have strong interpersonal and communication skills.  Volunteers must be able to walk for several hours.

Incentive Prizes
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 6:00am to 1:00pm
Duties: You will reward climbers for their amazing fundraising success by handing out prizes!! You will need to match a sticker with the correct prize and maintain an organized area. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are friendly, enthusiastic and have a strong attention to detail. You remain calm in spite of long lines and are always polite and professional. You have strong communication skills.

Timing Technicians
Shifts:  Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 6:00am to 1:00pm
Duties: As climbers descend the Tower, you will receive their time data and use your computer skills to calculate their climb time. You will work efficiently and carefully to reduce wait times. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are friendly, patient and have a strong attention to detail. You remain calm in potentially stressful situations and are always polite and professional. You are computer savvy* and can easily follow multi-step instructions. 
* Training will be provided.

T-Shirt Distributors
Shifts:  Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 6:00am to 1:00pm
Duties: Once climbers have received their climb time data, you will transfer the information to their souvenir t-shirt. You will work efficiently and carefully to reduce wait times. 
Ideal Volunteer: You are friendly, patient and have a strong attention to detail. You remain calm in potentially stressful situations and are always polite and professional. You have strong communication skills and can easily follow multi-step instructions. 

Money Room
Shifts: Please note the various shift times available for Saturday:
Saturday, April 16: Shift 1: 6:30am – 9:30am; OR Shift 2: 9:00am – 12:00pm; OR Full Day: 6:30am – 12:00pm
And/Or
Sunday, April 17: 7:00am – 11:00am
Duties: Assist WWF staff to count and track funds collected.  Thoroughly and accurately review each donation sheet.
Ideal Volunteer: You have exceptional math and accounting skills and are extremely detail-oriented.  This position is ideal for volunteers who enjoy working independently and away from the action.

Tower Rovers
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:30am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will direct climbers who have completed the climb back towards registration where they will receive their t-shirt and prizes. You will answer questions and provide directions.
Ideal Volunteer: You are assertive, confident and willing to speak to large crowds! You remain calm in spite of long lines and are always polite and professional. You have strong communication skills.

Tower Glass Floor (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:30am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will celebrate with the climbers who have just finished their climb by clapping and cheering. You will also be responsible for directing climbers to the water station, encouraging them to descend to ground level and helping to control the crowd. 
Ideal Volunteer:  You are assertive, confident, enthusiastic and willing to speak to large crowds! You remain positive in spite of long lines and are always polite and professional. You love interacting with crowds and are excited about thanking the climbers for their awesome support! You have excellent communication skills.
You must be 18 years of age or older for this position. 

Tower Water Station (18+)
Shifts: Saturday, April 16th and/or Sunday, April 17th from 5:30am to 12:00pm
Duties: You will hand out one water bottle per climber and then encourage them to descend back to ground level. You will help with crowd control and ensure that lines keep moving smoothly.
Ideal Volunteer:  You are assertive, confident and willing to speak to large crowds! You remain calm in spite of long lines and are always polite and professional. You are interested in providing excellent customer service but don’t have a problem saying no. You have strong communication skills. 
You must be 18 years of age or older for this position. 

Set-Up Crew
Shift:  Friday, April 15th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Duties: You will help our staff set up: signage, equipment and volunteer stations.*   . 
Ideal Volunteer: You are able to lift, move and carry heavy objects and aren’t afraid to break sweat.  You follow directions well and are a friendly and positive team player.
* This position involves working indoors and outdoors.  

Tear Down Crew
Shift:  Sunday, April 17th from 11:00am to 1:00pm
Duties: You will help our staff remove all the signage and equipment.*
Ideal Volunteer: You are able to lift, move and carry heavy objects (50 lbs+) and aren’t afraid to break sweat.  You follow directions well and are a friendly and positive team player.
* This position involves working indoors and outdoors.

PLEASE NOTE: Positions listed above that do NOT appear on the application form have been filled.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

David Gosse
Associate Specialist, Volunteer and Human Resources
[email protected]
1-800-26-PANDA x 7250

*TELUS is proud to be the presenting sponsor of WWF’s volunteering program, championing passionate and hardworking conservation volunteers for the future.