Administrative Volunteers are the first point of contact for clients, donors, and volunteers. They are critical to the overall operations of the organization and work to create a welcoming environment for all our clients and volunteers in the office. In this role, there is a significant opportunity to learn about our services and to be a crucial link between clients, staff, volunteers, and donors.

Specific duties include:

• Welcoming clients and visitors into our space
• Answering phones
• Booking client appointments
• Confirming client appointments
• Monitoring email inboxes, responding to emails, and forwarding emails to staff
• Supporting various administrative tasks and projects
• Entering data
• Organizing files

Previous experience: Technical experience and administration confidence, including computer literacy, good communication skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and being able to answer a variety of questions when someone calls.
Location: In-person
Shift opportunities: 9:30am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays)
Time commitment: One shift per month minimum

Stylists work with clients to find the perfect outfit for an interview, new job, or special suiting. In-person stylists will have an hour-long appointment with a client in our space and create a positive and uplifting experience to help them feel confident. Virtual dressing consultants will pre-shop and style multiple outfits based on the preferences and measurements provided by the client to present to a client over a 15-20 minute Zoom call. This is an incredibly powerful experience and the impact can be seen first hand and immediately.

Specific duties include: 

• Working in a team with other stylists to meet the needs of our clients
• Working with the unique styles of each client so they leave feeling confident 
• Supporting clients who are looking for professional clothing

Previous experience: Customer service skills and fashion acumen an asset
Location: In-person and virtual
Shift opportunities: In-person: 9:30am-1:30pm (Wednesday to Saturday)
Virtual: 9:30am-1:30pm (Tuesdays), 1:30pm-4:30pm (Thursdays and Saturdays)
Time commitment: One shift per month minimum

Sorters are responsible for selecting and organizing the clothing that ends up dressing our clients. Sorting volunteers will work through the donations provided and categorize them based on their quality and appearance. 

Specific duties include:

• Welcoming clothing donations from donors
• Sorting and steaming clothing donations
• Organizing the back stock of clothing we receive from donations
• Organizing donations in the sorting rooms
• Merchandising and making the office look shoppable
• Dusting, vacuuming and sanitizing

Previous experience: This volunteer role is a great opportunity for individuals who have an eye for detail and who love organizing. A background in fashion or retail is not necessary; ability to lift moderate to heavy bags.
Location: In-person
Shift opportunities: 9:30am-1:30pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays)
Time commitment: One shift per month minimum

Dress for Success Vancouver is looking for mentors to support clients in their personal and professional development journey. 

During one-on-one monthly meetings, mentors will provide guidance, coaching, and advice to their mentees, to help them set realistic personal and professional goals, and provide input to create action steps to achieve them.They will provide constructive feedback in a supportive way, and may also help connect their mentees to other resources and make introductions to others in their network.

If you are at a point in your career where you are ready to support another woman in her career development, let’s explore your potential as a mentor with Dress for Success Vancouver!

Required Skills: strong communication and listening skills, and being a proactive and curious team player.
Location: Virtual or in person
Time commitment: Minimum of one hour per month for 10 consecutive months at times that are convenient to the mentor and mentee.

Apply to be a mentor today

Career Support Specialists use their expertise to prepare clients for their job search by reviewing resumes and cover letters, conducting mock interviews, and providing immediate feedback based on their career experience. They are individuals who have previous professional experience in human resources, hiring, and recruitment.

Workshop Speakers facilitate workshops on career, health and wellness-related topics to members of the Dress for Success Vancouver community including clients, volunteers, agencies, and staff. These workshops provide tips and tools to help women and gender-diverse individuals in our community grow, develop, and thrive in their careers and lives.  

Specific duties include:

• Meeting someone from the Dress for Success Vancouver programs’ team to discuss the topic and structure of the workshop
• Developing a one-hour thought provoking workshop with relevant visuals that engages participants
• Creating a workshop title and short description with specific outcomes
  

Previous experience: Workshop facilitation experience, content matter expertise, and strong communication skills.
Location: Virtual
Shift opportunities: 6:30-7:30 pm (Thursdays)
Time commitment: Varies

Event Volunteers are responsible for helping the Dress for Success Vancouver staff and event committee host a successful event. There are several volunteer opportunities for our Success Luncheon in the fall, both on-site at the event and for some advance preparation.

General duties include but are not limited to:

• Preparing and setting up event 
• Assembling prizes and gift bags
• Shuttling event supplies to and from the event location
• Assisting with attendee check-in
• Selling raffle tickets
• Preparing wine wall
• Cataloging auction items 

Previous experience: No previous event experience necessary. Being organized, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and able to take direction are key to pulling off a successful event.
Location: Virtual, in-person, and on-site at the event
Shift opportunities: Communication will be sent out to interested volunteers before the event.
Time commitment: Volunteer meetings in the months leading up to the event and also on-site during the event.

Volunteer Editors are remote volunteers who have a keen eye for spelling, grammar and design. Internally our volunteer editors are known as Third-Party Editors. They are critical in helping our staff present polished pieces of communications and marketing on all external facing documents, newsletters and marketing materials.

Specific duties include: 

• Copy editing newsletters, website posts, print material
• Providing constructive feedback in a timely manner
• Understanding our audience and brand voice
• Ability to understand and apply our style guide
• A strong understanding of CP Style
• Ability to communicate by email and through Google docs
• Bonus: an eye for design: alignment, spacing and information hierarchy

Qualifications: Experience in copy editing, communications, journalism or marketing. Experience providing collaborative and constructive feedback. If you are reading through this post and already have constructive feedback or copy suggestions, you should probably apply!
Training: Provided virtually by the Communications Director
Position Location: Remote (work from anywhere)
Position Commitment: Minimum 1 Copy edit per month

Do you love fashion, want to help create a sustainable stream of revenue for Dress for Success Vancouver, and have afternoon availability? We have the role for you!

In early 2020, we began a partnership with Turnabout Community to sell the clothes that are donated to us that we don’t keep, but are of great value and quality. For all the clothes we send and are sold at Turnabout Community, Dress for Success Vancouver receives 60% of the revenue. This partnership has translated to $84,000+ to date and has allowed us to continue lifting women up in their lives with dignity, inclusion, and hope.

In order to maintain and grow this critical source of funding for our organization, we need a team of committed volunteers to help women shopping at Turnabout Community find beautiful clothes that make them feel amazing and make much needed money for Dress for Success Vancouver at the same time.

Position Objective: Turnabout Community Volunteers provide exceptional shopping experiences for customers wanting fashionable clothing at reasonable prices. They are critical in helping Dress for Success Vancouver maintain a reliable source of income to deliver its programs that empower women and self-identifying females into good jobs, financial independence, and personal success.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Selling clothing, accessories, and shoes to customers.
• Greeting customers as they come into the store.
• Managing fitting room flow and needs.
• Steaming garments.
• Merchandising the store (fixing racks, dressing mannequins, helping with displays).

*Not involved in cash handling and payment duties.

Qualifications & Requirements: Positive attitude and strong communication skills, comfortable working with the general public, able to stand on feet for 4 hours, able to lift up to 15 lbs., have a keen eye for fashion
Interview & Training : Interview with Elizabeth Bull, Dressing Services Manager, Dress for Success Vancouver. Total of 12 hours including 2 shifts (4 hours each) at the Dress for Success Vancouver office and 1 shift (4 hours) at Turnabout Community.
Position Location: Turnabout Community: 4180 Fraser St. Vancouver, BC V5V 4E8
Position Commitment: The shifts are from 2pm-6pm Tuesday to Saturday. The minimum commitment is one shift per month. 

The Dress for Success Board is seeking applications from self-identified women living in the Metro Vancouver region to serve as a Junior Board director.  The Board of Directors (“Board”) has created a Junior Board director position to support the development of an early-career professional woman. This recruitment brief provides information regarding the opportunity and criteria to serve as a volunteer Junior Board director. In the 2023 recruitment round, the Board is looking to fill one Junior Board director position.

Our Mission: A community empowering women into the workforce.

Our Vision: A world where women have the independence to strengthen their families and shape their communities.

Dress For Success Vancouver is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are committed to Dress for Success’s vision of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools.

The Dress for Success Board is a collaborative group of engaged, strategic thought leaders whose responsibilities include the governance, oversight and monitoring of: 

• Strategic plan and organizational performance 

• Annual operating budget and results 

• Nonprofit risk management 

• CEO recruitment, retention, and evaluation 

• Donor and network development

Organizational Strategy 

Dress for Success Vancouver’s strategy for growth and long-term sustainability is developed through our strategic planning process with the Board of Directors, Executive Director, and staff. Our 10-year strategic plan, which will be presented at our Annual General Meeting in June 2023, defines our strategic direction for client engagement, programs, advocacy, and operations.  Through the implementation of our strategic plan, Dress for Success can track and evaluate our impact, client engagement, donor engagement and performance.  These metrics guide our program development and operational activities as we serve our clients. 

The Opportunity

As a Dress for Success Junior Board director, you will have the opportunity to contribute your skills and expertise to a reputable, highly respected organization empowering women into the workforce.

The Junior Board director will support the Board of Directors by participating in Board meetings, assisting the Board Secretary, and contributing to Board committees (as required by the committee and relating to the Junior Board director’s interests).  The Junior Board director will learn about nonprofit Board governance, and operations and develop their leadership skills. By interacting with community leaders, the Junior Board director will find opportunities to grow their professional network, meet mentors and build relationships to support their community leadership and career. 

The Role 

To ensure diversity of thought, background, and experience, we are seeking Junior Board directors to serve a two-year term. Recognizing not all candidates will have all the attributes and experience set out below at the beginning of their Board tenure, we seek candidates who demonstrate a commitment and aptitude to acquire the experience and attributes necessary to be effective in serving Dress for Success Vancouver and its stakeholders.

The following competencies and commitment to the community are of fundamental importance in the recruitment of new Junior Board directors:  

• Demonstrated commitment to cooperative values and principles. 
• Committed to understanding and empathizing with the clients that Dress for Success Vancouver serves, and to contributing to women’s economic empowerment, social justice, and professional development.
• Interest in developing personal and professional networks, relationships, and knowledge that can contribute to building community awareness and fundraising for Dress for Success Vancouver.
• Interested in gaining nonprofit Board experience and understanding the responsibilities, accountabilities, and liabilities of a nonprofit Director.
• Able to think critically and independently, exercise good judgment, communicate effectively, and foster the creation of positive change. 
• Desire to prioritize the time required to participate in a schedule of Board, Junior Board director, and leadership duties. 

Board Diversity Statement 

The Board of Directors of Dress for Success Vancouver believes embracing diversity involves continually seeking to learn, engage, reflect, and act to meet the needs of the clients we serve, our Board of Directors, employees, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and communities. 

We acknowledge systemic barriers of discrimination and inequity, and power imbalances related to privilege. We recognize it is our responsibility as a Board and as a feminist organization to work to address these issues. The inclusion of people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences are encapsulated in Dress for Success Vancouver’s values of dignity, hope, inclusion, and reconciliation.