DABC Call for Volunteers!

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is seeking passionate and motivated volunteers to support our front-desk reception as we work to bring back our advocacy work in-person at our office in downtown Vancouver. DABC is a provincial, cross-disability non-profit, charitable organization that champions issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications. 

Our reception volunteers are often the first face or voice that a client interacts with when connecting with DABC. They exhibit an empathetic and professional attitude and respond to inquiries about our services. DABC provides a variety of services that assist clients with applying for provincial and federal disability benefits, Disability Tax Credit, Registered Disability Savings Plan, tax filings and tax credits, legal aid, and wheelchair accessible housing. Reception volunteers will be trained and mentored on an ongoing basis through regular supervision from the Advocacy Access Administrative Assistant, Advocacy Access Program Manager and the Access RDSP Program Manager. All of our current reception volunteers have lived experience with a disability.  

Our Reception Volunteers: 

• Respond to client inquiries over the phone, email and in-person 

• Screen clients for eligibility of our services and conduct intake of client contact information for our waitlists 
• Keep detailed and accurate records of visitor requests/calls 

Reception Volunteers should have the following skills and qualifications: 

• Be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office software, specifically Excel, Word and Outlook  
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate complex concepts in plain language 
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with clients and staff across many diverse backgrounds 
• Be self-motivated, adaptable, and able to work effectively with a team as well as independently 
• Maintain a professional, respectful and empathetic demeanor with clients and have the ability to manage client expectations as it relates to the capacity and scope of DABC’s services 

The following are strong assets for this position: 

• Lived experience with disability 
• Lived experience with provincial disability benefits (PWD/PPMB) 
• Experience in the non-profit sector 
• Experience supporting people with disabilities 
• Knowledge and understanding of community resources available to people with disabilities 

Volunteers will receive a small monthly honourarium for their contribution to DABC’s advocacy work.  

Hours Per Week: 1-2 shifts per week (each shift is 4 hours) 

100% of DABC’s staff and volunteers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Many of the clients that DABC serves have medical conditions which make them vulnerable and more susceptible to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and so it is vital that DABC strives to protect our clients from risk of transmission. It is DABC’s policy to request that all volunteers be fully vaccinated.  

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. 

To Apply: Please send an email expressing your interest with the subject line “Volunteer Application”, along with a resume to advocacy@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please. 

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

DABC will be closed on Friday, September 30th in recognition of The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, or “Orange Shirt Day.”

From The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation:

The day is observed to “memorialize the children lost to the residential school system and honour Survivors, their families, and their communities.”

The day is also called Orange Shirt Day in reference to Phyllis (Jack) Webstad’s first experience of the residential school system: she had her brand new orange shirt taken from her the day she arrived at the Mission. Read Phyllis’ story in her own words on orangeshirtday.org.  

Canadians are encouraged to wear an orange shirt on this day to honour the survivors of residential schools, and those who never returned home. If you are purchasing an orange shirt, please try to buy from Indigenous designers and sellers. VanMag compiled a short list of such designers.

DABC is committed to the ongoing process of decolonization, and recognizes that we still, and will always, have things to learn and work to do. An important aspect of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is the phrase “truth before reconciliation.” Spreading the truth of previous and ongoing oppression in various forms towards Indigenous Peoples is one way that allies can contribute to this work. 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s reports and Calls to Action are important reading: https://nctr.ca/records/reports/#trc-reports.

If you would like to support and spread the word about Indigenous-led organizations that are doing great work to support Indigenous communities dealing with intergenerational trauma, these are two:

Indian Residential Schools Survivors’ Society: https://www.irsss.ca/

Urban Native Youth Association: https://unya.bc.ca/

We encourage our staff, volunteers, members and readers to take some time on the 30th to read the information at the above links/reflect on their learnings, and to consider attending a local event marking the day. The Vancouver Sun has compiled a list of events in the Lower Mainland. 

Application deadline for HR and Admin Manager position extended to October 10th!

Want to join our team? The application deadline for the HR and Admin Manager position has been extended to October 10th!

The full job posting is below:

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Who We Are

Since 1977, Disability Alliance BC (DABC) has been a provincial, cross-disability voice in British Columbia. We champion issues impacting the lives of people with disabilities through our direct services, community partnerships, advocacy, research and publications.

We work to support people with all disabilities to live with dignity, independence and as equal and full participants in the community.

Job Description

DABC is seeking a full-time HR and Admin Manager to join our team. Reporting to the Executive Director (ED), the HR and Admin Manager will provide oversight on all HR policies and processes, financial and operational administrative processes, and will demonstrate leadership in advancing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the organization.

The HR and Admin Manager plays a critical role in ensuring that HR processes are being handled respectfully and appropriately in the organization, and alongside this, supports the ED in ensuring that financial and operational aspects of administration are running smoothly. The HR and Admin Manager also plays a key role as a member of DABC’s leadership committee, contributing to the direction and leadership of the organization as a whole.

Responsibilities

HR:

• Oversee all personnel files
• Manage and update all HR policies and practices
• Advance the principles of EDI in the organization, including streamlining within HR policies and practices
• Coordinate extended health insurance
• Work with senior staff to oversee recruitment, training and performance assessment of all staff
• Be a resource for all staff on all human resources-related issues.
• Oversee and monitor any professional development opportunities for staff

Admin:

• In liaison with other admin staff, coordinate and maintain a record of all supplier, insurance and lease contracts
• Support ED and senior staff on budget allocation, cheque requisition, invoicing and cheque processing
• Support Financial Coordinator and ED with annual audit
• Oversee compliance and due diligence obligations

Working hours:

This is a full-time, permanent, salaried position at $60,000 per year.

This position offers the following benefits after a three-month probationary period:

• 15 days of paid vacation annually
• 18 days of paid sick leave annually
• 100% of the cost of extended health and dental care benefits
• 2 weeks of paid time off during DABC’s annual holiday office closure in December.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years applicable work experience
• Experience in the non-profit sector
• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to anti-oppression principles
• Knowledge of BC labour laws and other relevant legislative requirements
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to address conflict with empathy and kindness
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and other online sharing platforms
• Be able to take initiative by identifying and addressing rooms for improvement in the organization

The following are strong assets for this position:

• Lived experience with a disability
• Lived experience as a member of an equity-deserving group
• Training in trauma-informed practice
• Training related to mental health support in the workplace
• Certification/professional training in human resources
• Understanding and demonstrated experience in change management strategies

The position is located in Vancouver, on the Unceded Territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

This position offers a hybrid work opportunity; the successful candidate may wish to work at the office (located in downtown Vancouver) a few days a week and at home the rest of the time.

Importantly, we are looking for people who want to make a long term commitment to our organization and have a strong desire to assist people with disabilities as well as further the impact of our organization.

DABC is an open and diverse organization that promotes inclusive hiring practices. We encourage applications from qualified applicants who identify as visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and of all sexual orientations, gender expressions and identities. People with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Please submit a resume and brief covering letter addressed to Helaine Boyd, Executive Director at helaine@disabilityalliancebc.org. No phone calls or faxes please.

DABC welcomes all applications, however, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted in September and the position start date will be as soon as possible.