Volunteering

Why volunteer with us?

The archives is located within the library of Conrad Grebel University College, a liberal arts college on the campus of the University of Waterloo. As a centre for Mennonite history and culture the archives offers exhibit space, a pleasant reading room, and a spacious workroom for staff and volunteers, all within a newly renovated and expanded facility.

Administered by a professional archivist, the archives seeks volunteers for clearly defined tasks that help our visitors and researchers learn about the Ontario Mennonite story. We hope that volunteers will also find their understanding of Mennonite history expanded and enriched. We strive to create a welcoming and appreciative atmosphere for our volunteers, and we value your contributions.

How do I become a volunteer?

Read through this information and take a look at the available projects. Fill out the Volunteer Application Form (DOC). The Archivist will respond to your application as soon as possible.

What are the expectations?

Volunteers under the age of 18 require parental consent.
Volunteers will be expected to arrive with basic skills appropriate to their tasks. Volunteers will be given any specific training and support they require to complete tasks.
The archivist will approve volunteers and arrange a mutually-beneficial work plan and schedule. The archivist or designate will supervise volunteers.
The archivist will familiarize volunteers with the facility, emergency procedures, and health and safety expectations.
Volunteers will sign in and out.
Volunteers or the archives may end their agreed commitment at any time. Whenever possible, an end date should be agreed upon by the Archivist and volunteer.
Volunteers will not generally be given access to secure computer networks, or be asked to work with restricted records.
Volunteers coming in once a week or more will be given parking passes for the time they are engaged in volunteer work.
Volunteers are insured under the liability insurance of Conrad Grebel University College.

How do I learn more?

Read our About the Archives web pages or contact the Archivist.

Examples of volunteer projects available

Translating original documents from older German handwriting styles

Purpose: As the ability of many researchers to read older German handwriting styles is diminishing, the task of transcribing and/or translating these original documents becomes increasingly important.

Skills required: Attention to detail. Strong German language abilities and familiarity with older German handwriting styles. Some library resources are available (eg. dictionaries, books on German handwriting). Typing skills are preferred, but not essential.

Estimated time of completion: This is an ongoing project as documents needing transliteration and translation arrive at the Archives.

Scanning photographs into our photo database

Purpose: To make more of the Archives’ photograph collection available on the Internet.

Skills required: Attention to detail. Familiarity with common computer tasks. Scanning training is provided. Further training in data input is provided for volunteers interested in learning archival description.

Estimated time of completion: This is an ongoing process, as we have several hundred unscanned photographs at any one time.