Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

How do I get involved ?

 

Anyone able to smile is welcomed to help out! We post our volunteer opportunities on our social media and we send them in the newsletter. So we highly encourage you to follow us on facebook, twitter and subscribe to our newletter to keep updated. Usually, there will be a facebook event that you can join to have the specific information about the opportunity and where you can sign up to help if you are interested. You can also get more information about the programs we offer in the GET INVOLVED tab.

 

What are the benefits of volunteering with us?

 

We really strive to make a difference in the community. By volunteering with us, you get to connect with people from different backgrounds and together make an impact. Our hospital social events allow volunteers to improve their communication skills and get comfortable with the hospital environment. The medical missions program is a great oppotunity for students with an interest in global healthcare to get hands-on experience and explore another country. Last but not least, the mentorship program offers the opportunity to work with disadvantaged youth so it is a great experience for volunteers who want to have a career in social work, education, law etc. After completing a certain amount of hours, our volunteers receive a certificate of recognition and have the right to request a letter of recommendation. We also hold a yearly volunteers' appreciation dinner where we get to award the most dedicated of our volunteers. 

 

Do I need to be a medical student in order to participate in the medical missions program?

 

No, being in medical school or a healtcare related program, although an asset, is NOT a requirement. After we recruit our volunteers, we train and provide them with all the necessary knowledge needed to help in the mobile clinic. Our volunteers in the past came from various academic backgrounds including engineering, political science, physiology, management, education and others.

 

Do you hold any information sessions about your programs ?

 

Yes, we do! We hold information sessions at the beginging of both the Fall and Winter term in order to provide interested volunteers with more information and answer questions. You also get to meet our executive team and some volunteers who will be able to tell you about their experience with our organization.

 

Do I need to speak french to volunteer in your programs in the Montréal area?

 

No, while it is always helpful to have a handful knowledge of french, it is not a necessity. For our hopital events, they take place majorily at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) where most of the patients are english-speaking. In the event that you encounter a patient who only speaks french, our team leads are usually bilingual and will be able to help ease you into the conversation. As for the mentorship program, we will pair you with a mentee based on your langauge abilities.

 

Can Volunteers suggest and plan other kinds of events and programs?

 

Yes, yes and yes! We really appreciate it when our volunteers come up to us with new ways to positively impact the communtiy. We are open and encourage all ideas/projects you may have. In fact, we will do our very best to help you make it happen :)