Join our Crew and Volunteer!
Join the Crew by Volunteering!
It takes a dedicated crew to (wo)man-a-ship, and we are incredibly grateful for ours.
The Great Lakes Museum derives its strength from its many volunteers. In fact, our museum was founded over 45-years ago by a group of dedicated divers concerned with the preservation of maritime cultural heritage! We would not be what we are today without them.
Our volunteers work closely with museum staff to support projects, activities and administration. They are an invaluable part of our team. Over the years volunteers have been involved with everything from gift shop management and S.S Keewatin tours to administration and board committees.
Whether you’re an experienced sailor with extensive nautical knowledge or just looking to get involved, the Great Lakes Museum offers a volunteer opportunity for everyone – scroll down for a list of volunteer opportunities!
Opportunities:
Visitor Experience
Passionate about heritage and engaging with people? We’re always looking for support with visitor experience, including docents and event support.
Painters/Movers/Picnic table-makers!
We’re looking for painters, carpenters, and general labourers to help us continue the renovation work in our galleries and aboard the S.S. Keewatin.
Volunteer Projects
When news came in summer 2019 that we had re-acquired our historic 55 Ontario St. property – volunteers were all hands on deck. Our dedicated volunteers took on the enormous task of cleaning the exterior and interior of the building, re-building the flower beds, repairing doors, and so much more. Their most impressive accomplishments are evident throughout the Museum from the newly restored Pump Room and exhibit spaces to the opening of the S.S. Keewatin for visitors. We could not have done any of it without them.
Over the past few years their work has focused on the beautification of our space in preparation for new exhibits and interpretation. And let’s not forget the remarkable work that goes into the gardens and landscaping – our East Pier welcomed visitors after 15 years of disuse! It was wonderful sight to see the space providing access to the waterfront.
Volunteers are also present in the back-end supporting project management, governing committee work and strategic planning at the Board of Directors level.
If you are looking to keep busy, support a great local cause and join a team of passionate individuals, consider volunteering with us.
Our next volunteer intake will be in Fall 2026! Please send any volunteer requests to marmus@marmuseum.ca
Volunteer Policy
The Great Lakes Museum engages volunteers at all levels of its operation. The Museum encourages a mutually beneficial environment where members of the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers work in a collegial atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance to achieve common goals and objectives which will benefit the Museum.
A volunteer is defined as an individual who performs a service requested, agreed upon, and supervised by the Great Lakes Museum without expectation of compensation. Such an individual agrees to adhere to all relevant federal, provincial and municipal regulations which govern their actions and to follow the policies of the Great Lakes Museum.
Direct administration of volunteers (recruitment, retention and recognition) is the responsibility of the Executive Director with the assistance of the Volunteer Committee, and is guided by Great Lakes Museum Volunteer Policies and Procedures.