{"id":24,"date":"2009-06-22T17:47:23","date_gmt":"2009-06-23T00:47:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.landfood.ubc.ca\/agora\/?page_id=24"},"modified":"2026-11-09T14:56:25","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T21:56:25","slug":"volunteer-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/volunteer-information\/","title":{"rendered":"Volunteer with us!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Welcome to Agora Caf\u00e9! We welcome students of all faculties, experience, and ability to come learn and grow with us. Whether you\u2019re experienced in the service industry or new to cooking we welcome anyone who is passionate about helping provide sustainable, affordable food for our campus community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Volunteering at Agora is a fun and serious commitment. We are a fully operational cafe and as such we expect all volunteers to punctually attend all of their shifts, regardless of what period during the term it is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3693\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.3368794326241136;width:377px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/files\/2026\/10\/image.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Why Volunteer?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joining the Agora community can extend a range of professional and social benefits:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Extend your group-working skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gain leadership and organizational skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Learn how to prepare nutritionally adequate and sustainable meals while exhibiting food safety practices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Polish (or maybe develop) your knife, baking, and cooking skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Begin to understand the philosophy of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems and explore the food system<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet other students in many faculties and hear the experiences of senior students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make friends!!!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Volunteer Position Descriptions<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1\"><strong>General Volunteer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are the friendly faces that our customers see every day when they come in for a cup of coffee or lunch. They work in the cafe as cashiers, cooks, bakers, and dishwashers to keep our cafe running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> 1 recurring 2-3 hour shift\/week<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attributes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be committed, responsible, and willing to learn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy interacting with fellow volunteers and the public<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have an interest in baking, cooking, or hospitality<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have at least 2 hours of availability Mon-Fri 9 am \u2013 3 pm, Mon\/Thurs 3 \u2013 8 pm, or Sunday 11 am \u2013 3pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Holding a Food Safe Level 1 Certificate is an asset but not required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Responsibilities and Tasks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attend the mandatory Volunteer Training each semester<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have an understanding of Agora\u2019s mission statement and philosophy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arrive on time for shifts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicate with Shift Leaders or Human Resources Manager regarding scheduling conflicts or absences (min. 24 hours\u2019 notice)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare menu items, serve customers, and maintain a clean work space<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rotate roles with other shift members to learn all procedures at Agora Caf\u00e9<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adhere to Food Safe standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work respectively with other volunteers and with Shift Leaders to maintain cafe operations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2\"><strong>Shift Leader<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These volunteers take on a greater role and greater responsibility in the cafe by helping manage the cafe and the volunteers on their shift. They are good leaders and problem solvers, delegating tasks to general volunteers and keeping the cafe running smoothly during the day. They maintain open communication with the executive team regarding updates and issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> 1 recurring 2-3 hr shift\/week<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attributes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Be committed, responsible, and willing to learn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy interacting with fellow volunteers and the public<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be able to adapt and respond to unexpected problems and situations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have strong leadership and communication skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have at least 2 hours of availability Mon-Fri 9 am \u2013 3 pm, Mon\/Thurs 3 \u2013 8 pm, or Sunday 11 am \u2013 3pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have, or be willing to obtain, a Food Safe Level 1 Certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience working in Agora or in the food service industry is an asset<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Responsibilities and Tasks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understand and uphold the general workings of Agora, its mission statement, and philosophy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delegate volunteers to different tasks and ensure recipe production in accordance with weekly schedule and available ingredients<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be able to educate volunteers on how to operate different Agora appliances like the cash register, dishwasher, and food processor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be able to manage or delegate customer inquiries\/complaints to the executive team as needed<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Update attendance and temperature logs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3\"><strong>Sunday Shift Volunteers and Shift Leads<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sunday shifts are responsible for prepping the vegetables for weekly entrees and preparing baked goods. If you love blasting music while preparing food, this is the shift for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> 1 recurring 2-hour shift<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Responsibilities and Tasks:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Understand the general workings of Agora, its mission statement, and philosophy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be able to learn and operate the different appliances in Agora, like the dishwasher, scales, and food processors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare sufficient ingredients according to weekly recipes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adhere to Food Safe standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4\"><strong>Catering Volunteer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Time commitment:<\/strong> varies week-to-week<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These volunteers work with the catering execs to fulfill our catering orders, making large batches of cookies, granola bars, or other cafe menu items. Shifts will vary depending on the intake of catering orders and volunteer availability. Any volunteers interested in being a catering volunteer are advised to put another position as their first choice, but can indicate their interest in working as a catering volunteer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Attributes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have an interest in baking and food preparation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be committed, responsible, and willing to learn<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enjoy interacting with fellow volunteers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have, or be willing to complete, the Food Safe Level 1 Certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baking experience an asset<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Volunteer Availability<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>We require volunteers to be available for at least one shift per week for 2 hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shifts are filled on a first-come-first-served basis.<\/strong> To ensure that you are placed with your first choice, please submit your application as soon as possible. Make sure to follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/agoracafe\/\">Instagram<\/a> &nbsp;for updates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Refer to the shift times when indicating your shift preferences in your online application. Your shift time is <strong>not<\/strong> the one next to your manager\u2019s name (that is theirs), please look at the times on the left.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;DATES TO NOTE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All volunteers will receive an email from the HR manager regarding their scheduled shift(s)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Volunteers must attend one of our mandatory <strong>Volunteer Training Days<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;Cafe volunteer and shift leader applications open before the beginning of each term,&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Apply to Join<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stay up to date by following @agoracafeubc on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/agoracafeubc\/\">Instagram<\/a>. Applications, when available, can be found on our <a href=\"https:\/\/linktr.ee\/agoracafeubc\">Linktree<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\"><strong>Volunteers and Shift Leads<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applications for January 2027 will open in December 2026&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Volunteer applications open before the beginning of each semester. We often receive more applications than we have positions for but all applicants are added to a waitlist. Volunteers often drop out during the term so even if you do not initially receive a shift you may be contacted later if there is an opening that works with your schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6\"><strong>Catering Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Applications are open<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Catering team applications open roughly one month into each semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7\"><strong>Executive Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-pale-pink-color\">Applications are open and close November 12th!<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLScgAxW9Nl6lPd49A7OX1PVjrK3qvZnr9U8dlMbQ8YDuGUqLYg\/viewform\">Application Form<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/u\/0\/d\/1ZSHpTGUiO4d3FnFTpFG1QekmxU49eFBXErshkAEGZmw\/mobilebasic\">Hiring Package<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Executive team positions are typically filled in April and\/or December as positions become available. Strong preference given to individuals with prior experience at Agora Cafe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome to Agora Caf\u00e9! We welcome students of all faculties, experience, and ability to come learn and grow with us. Whether you\u2019re experienced in the&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/volunteer-information\/\">Continue Reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Volunteer with us!<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":7139,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/template-full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7139"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3789,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions\/3789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/agora\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}