TBG is a volunteer-based organization that relies upon volunteers to help run our many programs and to meet our goal of delivering horticultural information and services. Our volunteers take a great deal of pride in their many contributions to our organization. They strongly support our goals and are members of the community that we serve.
IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITIES: (UPDATED April, 2012)
Shop Salesperson
Weekdays and weekends, particularly Sundays.
The Shop TBG team needs additional volunteers to help in this key facility. Volunteers in the shop assist customers, handle sales transactions and put together and maintain displays of products–so a variety of activities all in beautiful surroundings! Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular four hour shift weekly. Previous retail experience is an asset together with good communication skills and comfort handling cash systems (training is provided). This role also has the opportunity to be creative in putting together visual displays.
If you are interested in either of these roles, please contact Sue Hills, Head, Volunteer Services on 416-397-4145 or by email
ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES
Many of our volunteer jobs are unique, the result of finding a volunteer with the particular skills and background to meet a specific need. If you don’t see the job you want listed here, it’s still worth giving us a call! A sample of volunteer jobs is listed below; all our jobs are accompanied by the appropriate training.
Administrative – We have a wide-variety of positions available for volunteers with office skills. Some computer expertise is required.
Adult Education Course Assistants take on the role of greeting students, handling last minute arrivals, some handling of course fees if needed, taking attendance and assisting the instructors where appropriate. This role is typically evenings and weekends and most classes are free for the course assistant in attendance.
Children’s Programs – This is one of our most physically demanding programs: good physical fitness, including the ability to bend, lift and walk up steep slopes is necessary. Volunteers require the ability to relate to children of all ages, as well as having patience, creativity, excellent communications skills and a passion for nature/horticulture. The program takes place both indoors and outdoors throughout the year. Programs run from Mondays to Fridays; many special events take place on the weekend.
Communications – Volunteer graphic artists, writers, editors, photographers and proofreaders produce our members’ magazine, Trellis.
Gardening – Between April and October, our volunteers work in the garden on various schedules, between 9 am and 3pm Monday to Friday. They assist the head gardener with a wide variety of tasks, including planting, weeding and garden clean-up. Some knowledge of gardening is necessary; volunteers must be able to bend, lift and work in extreme weather.
Library – This team run the library services such as borrowing, cataloguing, indexing, data entry, advising visitors, handling book donations and library displays. Some knowledge of library systems would be useful but not essential, an ability to work well in a team, handle large quantities of data and good organizational and administrative skills are a must for this role.
Receptionist – The volunteer receptionist deals with the public in person and on the phone, registers people for TBG courses and signs up new members. Patience, excellent communications skills and the ability to use e-mail are essential. The information desk is staffed Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends 12 noon to 4 p.m. Shifts are 4 hours in length; volunteers are asked to commit to one regular shift weekly.
Retail Sales People – volunteers in our shop work as cashiers, assisting customers, visual merchandising, handling sales transactions and maintaining the shop. Volunteers are asked to commit to a regular four-hour shift weekly. The shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 am to 1 pm on Fridays and 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Previous retail experience is an asset.
Special Events covers a plethora of events, from helping out at lectures (generally held weeknight evenings) and garden tours as well as representing the TBG at a number of garden-related events.
TBG Tour Guides lead garden tours of the TBG gardens and Edwards Gardens, as well as the Toronto Music Garden and Allan Gardens. Basic gardening knowledge and excellent communication skills is a requirement and a love of people is paramount. If you are fluent in another language, we’d welcome your ability to translate our tours to visiting groups.
DOWNLOAD: Volunteer Application Form
If you have any questions, please call our Volunteer Office at 416-397-4145 or volunteers@torontobotanicalgarden.ca
