Currently Recruiting!
As a nonprofit agency, everything we do relies on the energy and expertise of volunteers. Our program and client services volunteers assist with many roles from peer support to advocacy.
Current opportunities
- Volunteer Legal Advocacy Program (VLAP) – If you are a lawyer or have advocacy experience and some spare time we would love to hear from you. We are also seeking volunteers who have patience and enjoy working with people to help clients with their Canada Pension Plan – Disability Benefits application.
Return to the main volunteer page.
Note: For volunteer opportunities outside of the Lower Mainland, please contact your local Chapter office or the BC & Yukon Division office at 604-689-3144.
Volunteer Legal Advocacy
The VLAP program provides our members access to volunteers with legal and advocacy experience for legal advice and representation. It also offers resource information and advocate support including assistance with CPP disability applications. To learn more about the program see the VLAP webpage.
Volunteer Position Description
Purpose:
To assist clients with the completion of complex forms and applications such as Canada Pension Plan-Disability Benefits or long term disability benefits
Responsibilities
- Assist client to complete complex application forms such as CPP Disability Benefit or long term disability benefit form.
- Assist clients to identifying and describe relevant limitations and their impact on functioning.
- Assist clients to organize the information for the application form
Client contact occurs either by phone, email or in person in the local chapter office.
Skills, Attitudes, Knowledge Required
- Detail-oriented
- Patient and enjoying working with people
- Empathic, supportive with a positive attitude, a good listener
- Computer skills: e-mail access, Microsoft Word or equivalent
- Willingness to participate in the programs quality control activities such as completion of required forms, conference calls, periodic file reviews
- Knowledge of MS and of applications such as CPP-D are an asset but not required
Training and Orientation
Extensive training is provided to the volunteer including:
- Orientation to the MS Society and multiple sclerosis
- Application specific training
- Training is conducted by phone, in-person meetings (if possible), e-mail contact, review of relevant materials, staff support for applications as required
- Participation in a training workshop hosted in Burnaby on May 28 and 29, 2010; all expenses are paid by the MS Society
Time Commitment
- Two-year commitment is requested because of the extensive training required.
- Yearly time commitment varies, depending on the number of client requests.
- Time required for individual clients varies from 1-2 hours to several meetings (10-15 hrs in total).
- Appointments with clients can be scheduled based on the convenience of the volunteer and the client.
Supervisory Relationships/liaison
- Supervision is provided by the VLAP Coordinator and the VLAP Manager.
Volunteer Benefits
- Valuable training about MS and the effects of a chronic medical condition
- Gaining in-depth knowledge about the process of complex applications, such as CPP-D applications, advocacy procedures and government resources
- Experience working in the non-profit/health services sector.
Return to the main volunteer page.
Note: For volunteer opportunities outside of the Lower Mainland, please contact your local Chapter office or the BC & Yukon Division office at 604-689-3144.
For more information: email
Ulrike.Kleeman or call 1-800-268-7582, ext 230.
Return to the main volunteer page.
