Volunteer Opportunities

Graphic Designer

Do you enjoy using design to tell meaningful stories and inspire community action? Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR) is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Volunteer Graphic Designer to help bring sustainability initiatives, programs, and events to life through engaging visual content. This role is ideal for someone looking to build their portfolio, strengthen their design skills, and contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven organization making a positive impact in Waterloo Region and beyond. Working closely with the Communications Team Manager and broader SWR team, you will help create visually compelling materials that strengthen our brand presence and support community engagement across print, digital, and social media platforms

As the Graphic Designer you would have the following key responsibilities: 

• Work with the Communications Team Manager to maintain consistency in Sustainable Waterloo Region’s brand identity, logo and professional templates.
• Assist with the ongoing graphic design needs of Sustainable Waterloo Region, including the revision and creation of print materials, signage, web design, corporate slide decks, with a strong emphasis on social media graphics. 

As a strong candidate for this role, you have the following skills, attributes, and experience:

• Passion for environmental issues, community-based leadership, and Waterloo Region.
• Team player with the ability to work with a diverse group of people.
• Interest in being part of a collaborative team, but with the ability to work independently and remain self-motivated.
• Knowledge and experience in, and personal access to, Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Photoshop; and willingness to work in Canva on select projects.
• Ability to work as part of a team that provides and receives feedback on creative concepts.
• Post-secondary education in a graphic design related discipline or relevant experience is an asset.

Work Location: This role is primarily virtual, with the request to attend monthly in-person all team meetings at our office located at evolv1 in Waterloo, Ontario.

Time Commitment: This is a project-based role and as such time commitment will vary with the complexity of the project. Some weeks may require up to 5 hours of creative work including Marketing & Communications team/1:1 meetings, for a 12 month minimum.

Supported By: Communications Team Managers

Benefits: The Volunteer Graphic Designer will have the opportunity to be part of a team of like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability, while also making connections with other marketing and communications focused volunteers. 

How to Apply: If you are interested in this role please submit a cover letter, resume and portfolio/samples of past work to recruitment@sustainablewr.ca letting us know why you’re interested in volunteering with us and how the position you’ve selected aligns with your goals for volunteering.  Include the role title and your name in the subject line.

Sustainable Waterloo Region is committed to creating an accessible and diverse culture where everyone belongs. We commit to actively working to empower full participation and ensure fair treatment within our organization, for those we serve, and for generations to come. 

We believe diversity strengthens our organization, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of any background and lived experience. If you require accommodation, please let us know.

Content Creator (Frameworks Program)

Sustainable Waterloo Region is seeking a Volunteer Content Creator to join our team and help us amplify our Frameworks program!

In this role, you’ll play a vital part in shaping the online presence for our new Frameworks program by populating content templates and writing engaging copy for our social media channels for the program. You’ll also collaborate closely with our Social Media Communications Generalist to brainstorm and plan exciting content that resonates with our audience. As well, you’ll be working with the Frameworks Team and Communications Team leadership. 

As the Content Creator for the Frameworks Program you would be responsible for:

• Populate new and existing content templates with fresh, relevant information.
• Write clear, concise, and compelling copy for various digital and occasional print materials.
• Ensure all content aligns with our brand voice and style guidelines.
• Collaborate with the Social Media Communications Generalist to plan content calendars 
• Assist with proofreading and editing as needed.

As the successful candidate you have:

• Excellent writing and graphic design skills.
• A strong understanding of effective communication strategies.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
• Familiarity with content management systems or template-based content creation is a plus.
• Reliability and the ability to meet deadlines.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team

Why volunteer with us?

• Make a tangible impact on [briefly state the not-for-profit’s mission.
• Gain hands-on experience in content creation and non-profit communications.
• Enhance your portfolio with diverse writing samples.
• Join a passionate and supportive team.
• Opportunity to network with professionals in the non-profit sector.

Work Location: This role is primarily virtual, with the request to attend monthly in-person all team meetings at our office located at evolv1 in Waterloo, Ontario.

Time Commitment: The position requires up to 5 hours per week and  a minimum commitment of 1 year.

How to Apply: If you are interested in this role please submit a cover letter and resume to recruitment@sustainablewr.ca

Sustainable Waterloo Region is committed to creating an accessible and diverse culture where everyone belongs. We commit to actively working to empower full participation and ensure fair treatment within our organization, for those we serve, and for generations to come. 

We believe diversity strengthens our organization, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of any background and lived experience. If you require accommodation, please let us know.

Board of Directors

Seeking Cambridge, Guelph-Wellington, Perth, Oxford representation for the board of Sustainable Waterloo Region (SWR).

About SWR

SWR is a social enterprise nonprofit that’s committed to helping the local business community, and communities as a whole, become environmentally and economically sustainable and strong. SWR was founded in Waterloo region and now serves Guelph-Wellington and Perth and Oxford County.

Our mission is to lead the transformation to sustainable systems of energy, mobility and construction to help build a cleaner, more diverse economy, and a more just and equitable community. We support businesses and members of the community in a variety of ways to help find the sweet spot where financial and environmental sustainability come together. It’s our goal to build a movement toward a future that benefits everyone. We believe that providing clarity in direction and transparency in progress reporting leads to greater individual and collective success for our region.

Who we’re looking to add to our Board of Directors

We are seeking board members from Cambridge, Oxford, Perth and/or Guelph-Wellington with experience in nonprofit and business sectors, to complement current board members’ skills.

What’s involved

This governance board meets four times each year and board members also participate in one of three committees, which also meet quarterly or as needed: 

• Strategy and Development
• Finance and Audit
• Governance and Oversight

Term: Two years initially, with the option to renew 

Culture: The board is respectful, constructive, supportive and collegial, while still asking the hard questions that will make the organisation stronger. Board members are invited to attend the organisation’s events and activities, and through both formal and informal opportunities, get to know staff members and volunteers who drive the success of SWR.

If you would like to join us in contributing to a cleaner, more diverse economy, and a more just and equitable community, please apply through this application form.

Sustainable Waterloo Region is committed to creating an accessible and diverse culture where everyone belongs. We commit to actively working to empower full participation and ensure fair treatment within our organisation, for those we serve, and for generations to come. 

We believe diversity strengthens our organisation, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified candidates of any background and lived experience. If you require accommodation, please let us know.