Calgary Zoo/TELUS Spark Youth Volunteer Program KidzKonnect Leader Opportunity Description and Application Thank you for your interest in KidzKonnect - the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark s youth volunteer program! This is a great time to get involved with the Calgary Zoo and we are excited to have you join our volunteer team. The KidzKonnect program at the Calgary Zoo/TELUS Spark is open to youth between the 14 and 17 years of age. Applicants for the KidzKonnect Leader position must be 17 years old by the application deadline of March 31 st, 2014 at 11:59pm MST. Included in this information package are the requirements for our KidzKonnect program, important dates, an application form (with instructions), and a sample weekly outline. KidzKonnect Leader Requirements: You should be excited about animals, nature, science, technology and the environment, and be willing to share your excitement with the public. You must be able to commit to volunteering for various opportunities from March 7, 2014 to January 2015. You must have access to reliable transportation to and from the Calgary Zoo or TELUS Spark (by car or public transportation). Be able to supervise and mentor a group of youth volunteers from June 2014 to January 2015 You should enjoy spending time outdoors in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions for extended periods... and perhaps most importantly a desire to HAVE FUN! Successful candidates must: Attend associated training sessions and scheduled volunteer week(s). Absence is excused only in the case of illness. Agree to wear the KidzKonnect uniform at all times while on duty. Uniform shirts will be provided with the tuition fee of $30/year. Black pants or shorts are also required to be worn and must be provided by the volunteer. Closedtoed shoes are also mandatory. Provide own lunches, snacks and transportation to and from the Calgary Zoo or TELUS Spark during training and for scheduled shifts. Dependably and enthusiastically come to the Calgary Zoo or TELUS Spark to perform volunteer duties on scheduled volunteer dates, which includes the mentorship and supervision of a group of youth volunteers
For parents and guardians: The KidzKonnect experience involves everyone in your family. Various opportunities exist, beginning with the orientation in March and finishing at the end of Zoolights (early January 2015). Cooperation, support, transportation, and encouragement are necessary for this to be a successful experience for your teen. Please ensure that if your teen is scheduled to volunteer, he/she can fulfill this commitment. Opportunities within the KidzKonnect Volunteer Program are limited. KidzKonnect leaders are carefully selected to be a part of our team. Individual performance is evaluated after every shift. Any teen not meeting the established standards will be subject to disciplinary action including possible dismissal from the program. We earnestly strive to keep costs associated with this program to a minimum. If you are not able to provide the $30 tuition fee associated with the program, please contact Renée Fleming; Manager, Volunteer Resources Manager at (403) 232-9354 or reneef@calgaryzoo.com. How to apply: The applicant must complete the attached forms by him/herself. Two references must be submitted. Any adult community member, except direct/indirect family, may complete this form and send it to us directly. We recommend using references such as teachers, guidance counsellors, community leaders, coaches, etc. Please complete the answers to the Supplemental Questions section on a separate piece of paper and include with the application package. Each part of this application is important as materials will be reviewed as a whole. An interview session will be scheduled for those applicants who best meet the criteria listed in the requirements section. Complete applications must be submitted no later than March 31 st, 2014 at 11:59pm MST. Please see page 5 on how to submit your application. IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2014 (all locations at Calgary Zoo unless noted) Application Deadline March 31 Interviews TBA Training for KidzKonnect Leaders April 7 11 Easter Eggstravaganza April 18 and 19 First Day Various Summer Season June 30 to August 31 Team Volunteer Event TELUS Spark -September Team Volunteer Event TELUS Spark - October Zoolights Orientation November Zoolights November January
Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark Youth Volunteer Program Sample KidzKonnect Volunteer Leader Week SUMMER Monday Thursday; Saturday, Sunday 9:00am 9:45am 10:00am 10:00am-Noon Noon 12:30pm 2:00pm 2:15pm 2:30pm Arrive at the zoo to review schedule and changes for the day KidzKonnect volunteers arrive; overview of the day On grounds at various locations depending on schedule On grounds checking in with volunteers, taking part in their opportunity for the day Lunch Begin afternoon shift at same location as the morning assignment Wrap up Volunteers return to Volunteer Centre Daily De-brief Day concludes Friday 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am Noon 1:00pm 2:00pm Arrive at Volunteer Centre KidzKonnect volunteers arrive; overview of the day Special Guest Presentation Lunch KidzKonnect Leader de-brief and weekly wrap up Formal day complete. Enjoy the zoo on your own or as a group Sample KidzKonnect Volunteer Leader Event involvement FALL 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 9:00pm Arrive at Volunteer Centre to Check in for event Dinner (provided by Calgary Zoo) On grounds for event Event concludes
Calgary Zoo and Telus SPARK Youth Volunteer Program KidzKonnect Leader Application Complete applications (including reference letters) must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on March 31st, 2014. LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Only those submitting complete applications will be considered for the program. A completed application consists of this application form, answers to the supplemental questions, and two recommendation forms completed by adults who are not related to you (preferably community leaders such as teachers, scout leaders). Recommendation forms must be received by the zoo separate from the application form, and must arrive at the Calgary Zoo by the application deadline. Personal Information Name: Address: City: Postal Code: Home Phone: Cell Phone: Email: Date of Birth: Current Grade: Last day of School in June 2014: Current School: School Attending in September 2014: Emergency contact A. Name of Parent or Guardian: Home Phone #: Alternate Phone #: Home Address (if different from above) B. Name of Parent or Guardian: Home Phone #: Alternate Phone #: Home Address (if different from above) Languages: English: Spoken Written French: Spoken Written Other: Spoken Written (please specify )
Volunteer Experience (Volunteer Experience is not a requirement in order to apply) Volunteer Agency Length of Service Responsibilities Supervisor Name Supervisor Phone Number Other work or a volunteer experience that has prepared you for work at the Calgary zoo. May we contact your Supervisor listed above? Yes No After interview Shirt Size (adult sizing check one): S M L XL 2XL Do you have reliable transportation to/from the zoo? (includes public transit) Yes No Are you applying for financial aid? Yes No How did you hear about the Youth Volunteer Program? If a friend referred you, please include their name: School Visit Zoo Website Other Website: Friend: Other: Availability In order to create the best volunteer team possible, please complete the Sign Up Genius calendar for your availability during the summer months to the best of your knowledge at this time. Visit the scheduler at www.signupgenius.com/go/8050a4ea5ab2da31-kidzkonnect Access code is KidzKonnect2014 Supplemental Questions The applicant must answer the following questions and submit the answers with the application package. Remember to label the attached paper with your name and the question numbers. 1. Why do you want to volunteer at the Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark? 2. What do you do in your spare time? 3. What do you think you can do as a young adult to help and protect wildlife? 4. How would your closest friends describe you? 5. What experiences and benefits do you expect to gain as a youth volunteer at the Calgary Zoo? Please consider my application for the KidzKonnect Program at the Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark. If accepted, I agree to commit to volunteer service from March 2014 to January 2015. I confirm that I have completed this application myself. Signature: Date: Parent or Guardian Signature: Please return this form, complete references, and supplemental question answers to: Renée Fleming The Calgary Zoo, 1300 Zoo Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 7V6 F: (403) 232-9325 E: reneef@calgaryzoo.com
Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark Youth Volunteer Program Recommendation Form Applicants Name: Thank you for taking the time to complete the recommendation for this applicant to take part in KidzKonnect program at the Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark. Your input is very important to the application process. The training includes a series of sessions where trainees must understand, absorb, and ultimately have all the information available in order to succeed as a volunteer at the Calgary Zoo and TELUS Spark. Since volunteer responsibilities focus mainly on education and public relations, it is also very important that the teen be outgoing enough to initiate conversations with visitors and be able to supervise and mentor a group of youth volunteers. When interviewing applicants, the interviewers have only a few minutes to spend with each. Your evaluation and recommendation are important components in determining whether the applicant has the specific skills we are seeking. Please be honest if you feel that the applicant is not suitable for the program, let us know. Your comments will be kept confidential. Name: Phone Number: Email: Relationship to Applicant: Years of relationship: Please rate the applicant in the following areas: (1= Below Average, 3= Average, 5= Above Average) Public Speaking Ability 1 2 3 4 5 Responsibility 1 2 3 4 5 Motivation 1 2 3 4 5 Leadership Ability 1 2 3 4 5 Willing to Learn 1 2 3 4 5 Ability to work with others 1 2 3 4 5 General Behaviour 1 2 3 4 5 Interest in Science 1 2 3 4 5
Please check the area (s) you feel the applicant would excel: Working with children and youth Ability to delegate tasks Interpreting animal information for the public Assisting with education programs Public Speaking Other: Please include information that would help us in placing the applicant in a volunteer position and providing opportunities that would benefit the applicant and the Zoo. Please send the completed form to: Renée Fleming Volunteer Resources Manager Calgary Zoo 1300 Zoo Road NE Calgary, AB T2E 7V6 Fax: (403) 232-9325 If you have any questions or comments, please contact Renée Fleming at reneef@calgaryzoo.com *FORMS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MARCH 31st, 2014, 11:59pm MST