COMMUNITY MUSEUM VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Position Code: VOL0901
Location: Cow Head, Newfoundland (inside Gros Morne National Park)
Summer 2009
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
QLF is seeking an enthusiastic high-school aged volunteer to assist our intern in a small community museum in a Newfoundland outport. The volunteer will work directly with the intern to assist the museum’s director in updating the museum’s exhibits, cataloguing its artifacts and documents, and guiding visitors through a heritage trail. The volunteer may also work on a range of other community-related projects, depending on their interests and the needs of community organizers at the time.
The community of Cow Head lies within the exquisitely scenic Gros Morne National Park. Its once thriving fishing industry has been severely challenged by the disintegration of ground fish stocks and severe catch quotas. In response to the resulting economic downturn, community residents have undertaken to develop a tourism industry. The community hosts a popular hotel and award-winning live theatre. The local Dr. Henry H. Payne museum was the first community museum in the province. Along with the museum is a heritage trail that leads to significant archeological and geological sites and passes through the remains of a summer fishing community.
HOURS: Volunteers may generally work Monday-Friday, from 9-5, but should expect variations on this schedule due to occasional evening or weekend events.
QUALIFICATIONS: The volunteer should be adaptable, enthusiastic and very personable. Some interest in travel, cultural heritage, community development, history, sociology, anthropology, geography, public relations, or tourism is useful. An artistic eye for display, a feel for how to exhibit artifacts, and patience for detailed cataloguing tasks would also be helpful. We are seeking someone who is self-motivated and who can independently identify tasks and work toward their completion. These skills should be complemented by a strong capacity to work collaboratively and to share and generate creativity as part of a team. This position is particularly well-suited to someone who can take initiative, as further opportunities for volunteer work on other community projects may become available.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: This volunteer position will take place for approximately three weeks in July, 2009. Housing will most likely be with a host family. Costs of travel and housing are the responsibility of the volunteer’s family. There is an additional supervision fee associated with participation in QLF’s volunteer program. Applications or questions about this volunteer position should be directed to Candace Cochrane at ccochrane@qlf.org.
This volunteer position will appeal to young people with interdisciplinary interests and a desire for a profound cultural experience in one of Canada’s most beautiful and least-known regions. The position offers not only exposure to the rich cultural heritage of Newfoundland, but provides the opportunity to work closely with community leaders to address real issues that affect their community’s economic sustainability and cultural vitality. This position should therefore appeal to a wide range of candidates who are interested in making a big difference at a small scale.